Capital Cities of South America — All 12 Countries

24 articles in South America

South America has 12 independent countries, and each one has a national capital that reflects its geography, public administration, language, and urban history. Most South American capitals are in Spanish-speaking countries, but the continent also includes Portuguese-speaking Brazil, English-speaking Guyana, and Dutch-speaking Suriname.

This page lists all 12 South American countries and their capital cities. It also explains special cases, such as Bolivia’s two-capital arrangement and Chile’s legislative seat in Valparaíso, so the list is useful for school, travel research, geography study, and general reference.

South American Countries and Capitals

What Counts as South America in This List

This article focuses on the 12 independent countries normally listed as sovereign states in South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

Some maps also show places such as French Guiana and the Falkland Islands in the South American region. These are not included in the 12-country list because they are not independent countries. They may appear on regional maps, but they are usually handled separately in country-and-capital lists.

Capital Cities by Country

Argentina: Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina and one of the best-known cities in South America. It sits near the Río de la Plata estuary on the country’s eastern side. The city is both a national government center and a major cultural, transport, education, and publishing hub.

The name Buenos Aires means “good airs” or “fair winds” in Spanish. In capital-city lists, it should not be confused with Buenos Aires Province, which is a separate administrative area around the city.

Bolivia: Sucre and La Paz

Bolivia is the main special case in South America. Sucre is the constitutional capital, while La Paz is the administrative seat where the executive and legislative branches work. For simple quizzes, Sucre is often accepted as the official capital. For practical government location, La Paz is also essential to mention.

La Paz is famous for its high elevation in the Andes. It lies in a deep valley near the Altiplano, and its government role makes it one of the most unusual capital-related cities in the world. Sucre, meanwhile, keeps the constitutional title and remains important for the judiciary.

Brazil: Brasília

Brasília is the capital of Brazil. Unlike many older South American capitals, Brasília was planned and built inland before becoming the capital in 1960. The move placed the national government closer to the interior of the country rather than keeping it on the Atlantic coast.

Brazil’s former capitals included Salvador and Rio de Janeiro. Brasília is now part of the Federal District and is known for planned urban design, wide avenues, civic buildings, and its role as the seat of Brazil’s federal government.

Chile: Santiago

Santiago is the capital of Chile and the country’s largest urban center. It lies in central Chile, close to the Andes Mountains. Most national government functions are centered in Santiago, making it the standard answer for Chile’s capital.

Chile also has an important capital-related detail: Valparaíso is the seat of the national legislature. This does not replace Santiago as the capital, but it is useful to know because many short capital lists leave out this detail.

Colombia: Bogotá

Bogotá is the capital of Colombia. It sits high on a plateau in the Andes, giving it a cooler climate than many lowland cities near the equator. The city is the seat of national government and one of the largest urban areas in the northern part of South America.

Bogotá is often written with an accent in Spanish. In English-language lists, both “Bogotá” and “Bogota” are seen, but the accented spelling is more accurate.

Ecuador: Quito

Quito is the capital of Ecuador. It is located very close to the equator and sits at high elevation in the Andes. This combination makes Quito one of the most geographically distinctive capitals in South America.

The city is also the capital of Pichincha Province. Ecuador has another major city, Guayaquil, which is larger as a port and commercial center, but Quito is the national capital.

Guyana: Georgetown

Georgetown is the capital of Guyana. It is located on the Atlantic coast, near the mouth of the Demerara River. Guyana is the only independent English-speaking country on the South American mainland, which makes Georgetown stand out linguistically among the continent’s capitals.

The city is the center of national administration and connects the coastal population zone with the country’s wider interior.

Paraguay: Asunción

Asunción is the capital of Paraguay. It is located on the Paraguay River and has long served as the country’s main political and urban center. Paraguay is one of the two landlocked countries in South America, along with Bolivia.

The city’s name is commonly written with an accent in Spanish: Asunción. In English lists, “Asuncion” may appear without the accent, but the accented form is preferred for accuracy.

Peru: Lima

Lima is the capital of Peru. It sits on the Pacific coast and is the country’s main political, economic, and transport center. Unlike highland capitals such as Quito, Bogotá, and La Paz, Lima is a coastal capital.

The city is closely connected with Callao, Peru’s main port area. For country-capital lists, Lima is the standard answer, while Callao is usually treated as a separate port city rather than the capital.

Suriname: Paramaribo

Paramaribo is the capital of Suriname. It is located near the Suriname River on the country’s northern coastal plain. Suriname is the only independent Dutch-speaking country in South America, so Paramaribo adds another language profile to the continent’s capital list.

The city is the country’s administrative and cultural center. Its location near the Atlantic coast reflects the settlement pattern of much of Suriname’s population.

Uruguay: Montevideo

Montevideo is the capital of Uruguay. It stands on the northern shore of the Río de la Plata and is the country’s main urban, administrative, port, and cultural center.

Uruguay is one of South America’s smaller countries by land area, and Montevideo has a central role in national life. In most maps and geography tables, the country-capital pairing is simple: Uruguay — Montevideo.

Venezuela: Caracas

Caracas is the capital of Venezuela. It is located in a valley near the Caribbean coast, in the northern part of the country. Caracas is the seat of national government and one of the major metropolitan centers of northern South America.

The city’s location near the coast helps explain its role in transport, commerce, and communication. In capital lists, Venezuela is paired with Caracas without a secondary capital note.

Capital Cities Grouped by Language

Language is one of the easiest ways to understand South America’s capital cities. Spanish dominates the continent by number of countries, but Portuguese dominates by land area because Brazil is the largest country in South America. Guyana and Suriname add English and Dutch to the mainland political map.

Capitals by Location Type

Andean Capitals

Several capitals are tied to the Andes or highland geography. Bogotá, Quito, La Paz, and Santiago are all shaped by mountain settings. These cities often have cooler temperatures than their latitude might suggest because elevation affects climate.

Coastal and River Capitals

Buenos Aires, Lima, Georgetown, Paramaribo, and Montevideo are strongly linked to coasts, estuaries, or river mouths. Their locations helped them grow as ports, administrative centers, and gateways for trade and travel.

Inland Planned Capital

Brasília is the clearest planned-capital example in South America. Its inland location was chosen to support national integration and reduce the long-standing focus on coastal cities.

Why Some Lists Look Different

Not every South America capital list uses the same scope. Some lists include territories, some include only independent countries, and some simplify special cases. This is why users may see 12, 13, or 14 entries depending on the source.

The cleanest country-only list has 12 independent countries. A broader regional map may add French Guiana and other territories. A school quiz may also simplify Bolivia by asking for only Sucre, while a fuller reference should mention both Sucre and La Paz.

Common Questions About South American Capitals

How Many Capital Cities Are in South America?

If only independent countries are counted, South America has 12 countries. Bolivia adds a special case because Sucre and La Paz both matter in national capital descriptions. For a simple list, there are 12 country entries; for detailed study, there are 13 capital-related city names when both Sucre and La Paz are counted.

What Is the Largest Capital City in South America?

By metropolitan population, Buenos Aires, Lima, Bogotá, Santiago, and Brasília are among the largest capital urban areas on the continent. Exact rankings can change depending on whether city limits, metropolitan areas, or urban agglomerations are used.

What Is the Highest Capital in South America?

La Paz is the highest administrative capital in South America and is often described as the highest seat of national government in the world. Quito and Bogotá are also high-elevation capitals.

Which South American Country Has Two Capitals?

Bolivia is the country with the clearest two-capital arrangement. Sucre is the constitutional capital, while La Paz is the administrative seat of government.

Is Rio de Janeiro the Capital of Brazil?

No. Rio de Janeiro was once Brazil’s capital, but Brasília has been the capital since 1960. Rio remains one of Brazil’s best-known cities, but it is not the national capital today.

Is São Paulo the Capital of Brazil?

No. São Paulo is Brazil’s largest city and a major economic center, but the capital is Brasília.

Is Guayaquil the Capital of Ecuador?

No. Guayaquil is Ecuador’s largest port city and a major commercial center, but Quito is the national capital.

Is Valparaíso the Capital of Chile?

No. Santiago is the capital of Chile. Valparaíso is important because it is the seat of the national legislature, but it is not the national capital.