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Capital Cities of South American Countries

South American Capitals with Explanation

The South American Continent has a total of twelve independent sovereign countries recognized by UN and each with a capital city of their own. South American continent is the world’s least populated continent with a total of 420 million inhabitants there. Majority of the continent’s large cities are found in Brazil along with some cities from Peru, Colombia and Chile. South America’s largest city is Sao Paulo with a population of about 21.7 million as per the data released by the United Nation’s population division. Country capitals in general are the administrative areas of a country that constitutes of the highest number of government seats within that specific region. For example- In any country, the president often directs the affairs or addresses the issues from the country’s capital city. Capital city of a country is of higher significance as the media generally symbolizes a country via the name of its capitals just because the decision making body of any country relies onto it. Similarly, the capitals of South American countries too are of much importance. In the South American countries one can witness substantial inequality amongst the countries in their economic development. As compared to other cities of the South American countries, the capitals usually have much higher standards of living. The best capital cities to live in South America constitute of Montevideo, Buenos Aires and Santiago. However, the most visited capital cities by the tourists are inclusive of Lima, Peruvian capital, Machu Picchu along with Buenos Aires and Montevideo.

List of South America Capitals - Updated List 2024

Country Capital Language/Currency/Time Zone/ Calling Code
Argentina Buenos Aires
  • The official language of the nation is Spanish
  • The currency Peso.
  • The calling code is +54
  • UTC/GMT standard time followed is -3 hours.
Bolivia Sucre
  • The official language of the nation is Spanish
  • The currency Boliviano.
  • The calling code is +591
  • UTC/GMT standard time followed is -4 hours.
Brazil Brasilia
  • The official language of the nation is Portuguese
  • The currency Real.
  • The calling code is +55
  • UTC/GMT standard time followed is -3 hours.
Chile Santiago
  • The official language of the nation is Spanish
  • The currency Peso.
  • The calling code is +56
  • UTC/GMT standard time followed is -4 hours.
Colombia Bogota
  • The official language of the nation is Spanish
  • The currency Peso.
  • The calling code is +57
  • UTC/GMT standard time followed is -5 hours.
Ecuador Quito
  • The official language of the nation is Spanish
  • The currency Dollar.
  • The calling code is +593
  • UTC/GMT standard time followed is -5 hours.
Falkland Islands (UK) Stanley
  • The official language of the nation is English
  • The currency Pound.
  • The calling code is +500
  • UTC/GMT standard time followed is -3 hours.
French Guiana (France) Cayenne
  • The official language of the nation is French
  • The currency Euro.
  • The calling code is +594
  • UTC/GMT standard time followed is -4 hours.
Guyana Georgetown
  • The official language of the nation is English
  • The currency Dollar.
  • The calling code is +592
  • UTC/GMT standard time followed is -4 hours.
Paraguay Asuncion
  • The official language of the nation is Spanish
  • The currency Guarani.
  • The calling code is +595
  • UTC/GMT standard time followed is -4 hours.
Peru Lima
  • The official language of the nation is Spanish
  • The currency SOL.
  • The calling code is +51
  • UTC/GMT standard time followed is -5 hours.
Suriname Paramaribo
  • The official language of the nation is Dutch
  • The currency Dollar.
  • The calling code is +597
  • UTC/GMT standard time followed is -3 hours.
Uruguay Montevideo
  • The official language of the nation is Spanish
  • The currency Peso.
  • The calling code is +598
  • UTC/GMT standard time followed is -3 hours.
Venezuela Caracas
  • The official language of the nation is Spanish
  • The currency Bolivar.
  • The calling code is +58
  • UTC/GMT standard time followed is -4 hours.

Major Capital Cities of South America

The capital city of a country puts forward the very first impression of the country’s economic strength, political state, its social welfare and other things that one can expect. Number of capital cities of a country are also the home to its federal government and also the location of the capitals is such that the government can easily offer services with least interruptions. Extending right from the Chile’s icy glaciers to the Caribbean coast of Cartagena’s, South America is a colossal continent and constitutes of diverse countries that are full of amazing cities as well as capitals. Few of them are colonial, few are cosmopolitan while some are absolutely stunning. The astonishing capital cities in South America generate curiosity to know more about these capitals.

Let us see more about some of the major capital cities in South America:

Montevideo

The capital city of Uruguay, Montevideo is the country’s largest city accommodating its 1/3rd population that constitutes about 1,319,108 people as per Census 2011. Located in the Rio de la Plata’s north-eastern bank, on the Uruguay’s southern coast Montevideo is the southernmost capital city of the entire Americas. Established in the year of 1724 by a Spanish soldier Bruno Mauricio de Zabala the city Montevideo was founded to be the part of strategic move to capture control over Platine region amidst the Spanish-Portuguese dispute. During the 1807 the city was under slight control of the British rule and in the year 1828 it was offered with the recognition of Uruguay’s capital city. Currently, Montevideo is the capital city that offers highest living standards amongst all other cities of South America. This capital city of South America is a vibrant place with rich cultural life that attracts huge number of tourists to the country. It also houses the significant government buildings of Uruguay.

Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina, South America is the second most populated city of the continent. About 89% of Argentina’s total population preferably reside in the urban areas as per the UN estimates and 1/3rd population around Buenos Aires. This capital city of South America is strategically located at Rio de La Plata estuary on its western shore providing easy access to the Atlantic ocean. Out of nearly 15 million inhabitants in the country, the majority of these are immigrants who came to the country during the massive immigration wave in search of a better life from the Middle eastern and the European countries. Regarded as the Paris of South America, Buenos Aires apart from being Argentina’s capital city is known for many things. Buenos Aires is a city full of elegance and sophistication. It overflows with culture showcasing the opera houses, theatres as well as the Italian and French architecture. Thus, it is one of the best places to visit that has a lot going within to keep you entertained forever.

Santiago

The largest as well as the capital city of Chile, Santiago has a fairly warm climate due to its location in the central valley of Chile. The city experiences dry and warm summers and fairly humid winters and accommodates a population of about 310,000. Santiago generates about 45% of the country’s entire GDP and its economy is the major source of the country's economy. Santiago’s major industries are inclusive of the retail i.e. selling of varied consumer goods. The tallest structure within the entire Latin America named as The Gran Torre Santiago is located in this capital city of South America. Additionally, several museums, about 174 national monuments and various libraries of this capital city are recognized for their architectural extravagance. The cultural life of this city is cosmopolitan in nature and exhibits a strong North American as well as European influence.

Lima - 12.1 Million

Lima is South America’s fourth largest and the most visited city by tourists here. It is the capital of Peru and accommodates around 12.1 million people. Lima being the capital city of South America is a centre for both cultural as well as the financial activity of Peru. Also it is the largest city located in the northern part of the South American continent.

Conclusion

You may find the entire list of South American countries and Capitals here. The South American Capitals like Santiago, Buenos Aires, Montevideo etc. hold a worldwide recognition and are amongst the list of topmost visited cities of the continent with very high living standards. Countries and Capitals of South American continent are diverse and are greatly influenced by the North American as well as the European cultures. The continent has 12 independent nations each with its own capital cities.