This is a list of all present sovereign states in South America and their predecessors.
The division between North and South America is unclear, generally viewed as lying somewhere in the Isthmus of Panama, however, the whole of Panama is considered to be part of North America as its southernmost nation.
The continent was colonized by the Europeans: First by the Spaniards, and the Portuguese; and later by the Dutch, the French, and the English.
[1] Today, South America consists of twelve sovereign states with common government system being some form of presidential republic.
Colonial Brazil (1500–1815) (colony of Portugal) United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves (1815–1822) Empire of Brazil (1822–1889) Republic of the United States of Brazil (1889–1937) United States of Brazil (1937–1967) Federative Republic of Brazil (1967–present) Easter IslandKingdom of Rapa Nui (400?–1902) Governorate of New Toledo (1528–1542) Viceroyalty of Peru (1542–1776) (viceroyalty of the Crown of Castile) Viceroyalty of New Granada (1717–1822) Gran Colombia (1822–1830) State of Ecuador (1830–1835) Republic of Ecuador (1835–present) Casma–Sechin Civilisation (c. 3500 – c. 200 BC) Jisk'a Iru Muqu (c. 3400 – c. 1600 BC) Kotosh Civilisation (c. 1800 – c. 900 BC) Chiripa culture (c. 1400 – c. 100 BC) Pucará (c. 1400 BC – c. 400 AD) Chachapoya (c. 900 – c. 1470 AD) Chavín culture (c. 900 – c. 250 BC) Paracas culture (c. 800 – c. 100 BC) Nazca culture (c. 100 BC – c. 800 AD) Lima culture (c. 100 – c. 650 AD) Moche culture (c. 100 – c. 700 AD) Tiwanaku Empire (c. 600 – c. 1000 AD) Wari Empire (6th century – 11th century) Kingdom of Chimor (c. 900 – c. 1470) Chincha culture (c. 900 – c. 1480) Ichma Kingdom (c. 1100 – c. 1469) Kingdom of Cusco (c. 1197 – c. 1438) Inca Empire (1438–1533) Governorate of New Castile (1528–1542) and Governorate of New Toledo (1528–1542) (both Spanish colonies) Viceroyalty of Peru (1542–1824) Republic of Peru (1824–present) British West Indies (1797–1962) Trinidad and Tobago (1962–1976) (commonwealth realm) Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (1976–present)