South America Map: Countries and Topography

South America Spotlight

Brazil, like France, or Japan is much more than a country, — it is an entire continent of South America. While Brazil dominates the map, the surrounding countries are also prominent. Venezuela, Colombia, Chile, and Argentina are just some of the neighbors in South America. The Pacific and Atlantic Oceans also feature prominently, framing the continent beneath the equator. This topography map might be a reference tool or an illustration of geographic patterns, but one thing is certain — it’s about understanding the layout of the continent. Countries like Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana stand out, too. Amongst the South American countries, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana are maybe less familiar than the other nations. Guyana and Suriname are independent countries on the northern coast of South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, Brazil, and Venezuela. French Guiana, however, is an overseas department and region of France on the northern Atlantic coast of South America. Spot it on the map, and you can see why South America is both a continent and a shared destiny.

See Brazil in context

By visualizing Brazil with its surrounding countries, we can observe some interesting geographies. Located on the eastern side of the continent, Brazil is bordered by almost every other country in the north, east, and west. The landscape of the continent changes significantly each step across the land. Of all the countries in sight, Brazil is 69% of the population, is the most dominant region in terms of numbers. Venezuela is another country showcased prominently on the map. Brazil's northern neighbor is known for its diverse landscapes, ranging from the Andes mountains to the lush Amazon rainforests. Venezuela shares a border with Colombia in the East, Guyana in the West, and Brazil to the south. The topographical map emphasizes the varied terrain, highlighting the country's geodiversity.

Geographical relations

To the West of Brazil is Colombia, the region featuring the highest population density in South America. It is known for its vibrant culture, historic sites, and natural wonders. The map highlights Colombia's diverse landscape, including the Andes mountains and the Amazon rainforests. The primary visual cue here is the connectivity of countries — Colombia is immediately neighbor to Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, and the Pacific Ocean. And here we see another road, from Venezuela, the country that shares borders with Colombia, Peru, and Brazil. This road continues to the west, featuring Peru, Ecuador, and Chile. The Andes mountains are just one feature crossing borders, perceptibly dividing and connecting countries at the same time.

Geographic patterning

South America is home to dozens of mountain ranges, but the Andes are the most extensive and longest mountain range of the western hemisphere. The Andes are a remarkable mountain range, arching across most of Western South America. The range stretches for 7000 kilometers, or 4300 miles, across seven countries. Chile and Argentina might be the visualization's end points, but Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador also boast some of the highest peaks. The mountains host the most high-altitude peaks in the world.