South America has just 12 countries, which makes its map one of the most learnable of any continent. This interactive quiz names a country and asks you to click it on the map, with tips to lock all twelve into memory.
Learn South America in Three Bands
South America splits neatly into three groups:
The Andean west — Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Chile run in a line down the Pacific coast, following the Andes mountains. Chile is the long, thin one at the bottom.
Brazil and the centre — Brazil alone covers nearly half the continent, bordering every country except Chile and Ecuador.
The south and the Guianas — Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay fill the southern cone, while Guyana and Suriname sit on the northern coast between Venezuela and Brazil.
The States People Miss
Because there are only twelve countries, South America is quick to learn — but three spots trip people up:
Guyana and Suriname — the two small northern-coast countries are the most-missed, partly because they are English- and Dutch-speaking rather than Spanish or Portuguese.
Paraguay and Uruguay — the two small southern neighbours of Argentina are often swapped; Uruguay is on the Atlantic coast, Paraguay is landlocked and further north.
Bolivia — landlocked in the centre-west, it is easy to overlook between Peru, Brazil, and Argentina.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries are in South America?
There are 12 sovereign countries in South America: Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Chile, Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Guyana, and Suriname.
What is the largest country in South America?
Brazil is by far the largest, covering nearly half the continent and bordering every South American country except Chile and Ecuador.
Which South American countries are hardest to locate?
Guyana and Suriname on the northern coast are the most-missed, followed by the landlocked pair of Bolivia and Paraguay, which are easy to confuse with their neighbours.
What is the easiest way to learn the map of South America?
Learn it in three bands: the Andean west (Colombia down to Chile), Brazil in the centre, and the southern cone plus the Guianas. With only 12 countries, a few rounds of a timed map quiz is usually enough.
Is the South America map quiz free?
Yes — it runs free in your browser with no download or signup. Sign in with Google to save your score.