General facts about South America
Before we get into the specifics of individual countries and capitals, let’s start with some general knowledge about the region.
- South America is the fourth largest land mass in the world after Asia, Africa and North America. Separated from Antarctica by the Drake Passage, South America is connected to North America by the Isthmus of Panama.
- There are 14 nations in South America, 12 of which are autonomous. Although this article focuses only on eight South American countries and their capitals, all the countries on the continent offer unique and worthwhile vistas.
- Venezuela and a substantial portion of Colombia are in the Northern Hemisphere, the only South American countries in this position. It is crucial to remember that the seasons in most of South America’s other (Southern Hemisphere) countries are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere. For example, in Chile, the hottest months of the year are December and January.
- The average yearly temperature in and around the Equatorial rainforests is relatively high, around 20-25 degrees celsius.
- In the rainforest are trees that extend 30 to 40 meters without growing a single branch – it is like glimpsing a piece of heaven on earth.
- The railway line in Peru is the highest in the world, climbing up to 4,830 meters in the Andes Mountains region along South America’s western coast.
Argentina’s capital and other cities
We start in Argentina, with diverse nature that includes plains, deserts, tundra, mountains and forests. The population of Argentina is 46.6 million as of 2023, according to Britannica data. The capital, Buenos Aires, is one of the most important and crowded cities not only of Argentina but also Latin America. The official capital – as well as the commercial, industrial and cultural capital of the country – is also an immensely popular tourist destination. As well, many of the world’s most notable footballers, from Maradona to Messi, hail from Argentina. This beautiful South American country, set between the Andes Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, deserves to be discovered with its breathtaking views, splendid national parks, and its warm urban culture.
To learn more about Argentina and particularly Buenos Aires, visit the Argentina flight ticket link and get ready to make brand new memories.
Check out Argentina: the capital and other cities for more information and to plan a trip to the country, city by city.
The capital and other cities of Brazil
Brazil is next on our South American country list. The world’s fifth largest country in terms of population and surface area, Brazil is also South America’s largest economic power. Football, samba, Amazon jungles, and the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana are most likely the first things to come to mind when thinking about this country of 216 million people and 26 states. Brazil’s multicultural qualities extend to the 1.8 million plant and animal species in the country, products of the country’s diverse ecosystems. If you’re planning a vacation to South America or Brazil, do visit Rio de Janeiro, famous for its carnival, its capital Brasilia, and Sao Paulo, considered the country’s most developed hub. Brasilia, declared the country’s capital in 1960, is also a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its urban and architectural planning.
Here’s a link to Brazil flight tickets and let us note that Brazil is among the South American countries that do not require a visa from Türkiye and that Turkish Airlines operates direct flights to cities in Brazil.
You can read Brazil: Its capital and other cities to acquire a deeper understanding of this vibrant country.
The capital and other cities of Chile
Chile is third on our list and surely worth a trip to South America, with its magnificent natural beauty and breathtaking Andean vistas. The country’s southern extremity, defined by the Andes Mountains, stretches to Cape Horn, which is relatively close to Antarctica. Among the locales to visit in Chile are Santiago, founded in 1541 and home to a substantial portion of the country’s populations, as well as the Atacama Desert, and Vina del Mar on the Pacific coast.
For additional information on Chile, see our blog, Chile: The capital and other cities.
The capital and other cities of Uruguay
Uruguay obtained independence in 1828 and has a population of 3.5 million people. Located in the continent’s southeast and covering a lesser area on the map than other countries, Uruguay is not as small as its surface area suggests. In fact, Eduardo Galeano, an Uruguayan historian and author, said that “On the map, surrounded by its large neighbors, Uruguay seems tiny, but not really. We have five times more land than Holland and five times fewer inhabitants. We have more cultivable land than Japan, and a population forty times smaller.” More than 80% of Uruguayans reside in cities, with nearly half living in the capital, Montevideo. Windsurfing fans flock to Uruguay’s stunning beaches, which translate as “river of painted birds” in the local language.
Uruguay is also among the South American countries that permit visa-free travel from Türkiye.
You can continue your exploration of Uruguay by reading Uruguay: The capital and other cities.
The capital and other cities of Peru
A tropical country with a northern tip that nearly touches the equator, Peru manifests the hard conditions of the Andes Mountains as well as their splendor. Peru, known as the “Land of Milk and Honey” by the local Quechua people due to the richness accumulated by the Inca empire, is now a contemporary country with a population of more than 34 million people. Peru has a high tourism potential, as well as abundant mineral, agricultural, and marine resources. As you may know, Machu Picchu, the legendary Inca city located around 80 kilometers from Cusco, is a dream itinerary for many travelers. We also recommend a river excursion in Peru, where the Amazon, one of the world’s longest rivers, starts. It will only be a matter of time before you catch a glimpse of the region’s famed pink dolphins and howler monkeys!
You can read Peru: Its capital and other cities to learn more about the country and its most famous cities.
The capital and other cities of Colombia
Colombia, the center of music, dancing and coffee, is the next stop on our South American itinerary. Bogota, Colombia’s capital, is also the country’s most populous city, with 11.5 million people. This warm and colorful country, which celebrates Barranquilla, the world’s second largest carnival after the Rio Carnival (Barranquilla is also the name of a port city in the country’s north), will take your breath away with its beaches, mountains, forests and unusual fauna. We urge that you put UNESCO-protected Cartagena, on the Caribbean coast and often called the “pearl of Colombia” on your list of South American destinations. Finally, when returning from Colombia – a visa-free South American nation – don’t forget to bring some of the local coffee!
Let us take you on an exploration of Colombia, an intriguing South American country: Colombia: Its capital and other cities.
The capital and other cities of Venezuela
Venezuela is our final stop on the South American continent. The country is in the Northern Hemisphere, very close to the equator. The gorgeous and green Avila Mountains separate Caracas, the country’s capital with a population of 33.7 million as of 2023, from the Caribbean Sea. The climate of the city, set along the Caracas Valley, can be described as temperate all year, yet it is important to note that there is a rainy season from December to June. Aside from its natural splendors, Caracas is also an important cultural center.
Turkish Airlines operates direct flights from Istanbul to Caracas seven days a week, so it is easy to visit this must-see city, with its diverse cuisine, magnificent scenery and rich cultural centers. We leave the Caracas flight ticket link here and we wish you a pleasant holiday!
Our page on Venezuela: It’s capital and other cities is ready for you to learn more about Venezuela’s cities!
The capital and other cities of Paraguay
Paraguay and its capital, Asunción, are the next stop on our South American itinerary. In Paraguay, which has the most homogeneous population among the region’s countries, a sizable proportion of the population is of European and Guarani descent; the Guarani language is widely used in the country. Paraguay is also one of two landlocked countries in South America (the other is Bolivia).
Every day of the week, Turkish Airlines operates connecting flights to Asunción, Paraguay’s capital. You can book a flight to Paraguay using the link to learn more about this warm country with a population of 7.4 million.
Visit Paraguay: It’s capital and other cities for more information on this fascinating country.
We wish you a vibrant, warm, and wonderful journey to South America!
