List of Country Capitals in South America
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Argentina - Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina. It is one of South America’s most important ports and most populous cities with a population of about 2.9 million. Its formal name is the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, as the city became an autonomous district in 1994. Capitals of South America
Bolivia – Sucre
Sucre, the constitutional capital of Bolivia, is the sixth-most populated city in Bolivia. The city still has many of its Spanish colonial architecture and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991.
Brazil - Brasília
Brasília was inaugurated as the federal capital of Brazil in 1960. The capital is Brazil’s fourth-most populous city with over 4.6 million people and has South America’s highest GDP per capita. Known for its modernist architecture and unique urban planning, Brasília was named as a UNESCO World Heritage site and was named “City of Design” by UNESCO in 2017.
Chile – Santiago
Santiago is Chile’s capital and largest city, as well as one of the largest cities in the Americas. Santiago’s population is over 6.7 million people. The Chilean executive and judiciary branches of government are located in Santiago; however, Congress meets in Valparaíso nearby.
Colombia – Bogotá
Bogotá’s official name is Bogotá, Distrito Capital, or Bogotá D.C. Bogotá has about 7.4 million people and sits at an elevation of 8,660 feet (2,640 meters) above sea level. Bogotá is home to the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch of Colombia.
Ecuador – Quito
Quito, formally San Francisco de Quito, is Ecuador’s capital and largest city. Quito is also the headquarters of the Union of South American Nations. Quito was one of the first UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites, along with Krakow, Poland, declared in 1978.
Guyana – Georgetown
Georgetown is the capital of Guyana and the country’s largest urban center.The city serves primarily as a retail and administrative center, as well as a financial services center.Additionally, the capital is Guyana’s main economic base, containing most of its commerce.
Paraguay - Asunción
Paraguay’s capital city of Asunción is also the country’s largest city with a population of about 540,000 people. As the oldest city in South America, Asunción is known as “the Mother of Cities.” Asunción is home to Paraguay’s national government and principal port.
Peru – Lima
Lima is both the capital and the largest city in Peru with a population of over 9 million people. Lima is home to the National University of San Marcos, one of the oldest higher learning institutions in the New World established in 1551. Lima is considered to be Peru’s political, cultural, financial, and commercial center.
Suriname – Paramaribo
Paramaribo is the capital of Suriname and the country’s largest city. Paramaribo has a population of over 241,000 people, almost half of Suriname’s population. The inner city of Paramaribo was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002.
Uruguay – Montevideo
Montevideo is a principal city and the capital of Uruguay. The port of Montevideo is the center of Uruguay’s foreign trade. Montevideo is home to the administrative headquarters of Latin America’s leading trade blocs, Mercosur and ALADI, comparing Montevideo’s position to the role of Brussels in Europe.