List of predecessors of sovereign states in South America
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. Most of the present-day nations gained independence in the early 19th century. Today, South America consists of twelve sovereign states with common government system being some form of presidential republic.
| Sovereign state | Predecessors |
| Argentina | Viceroyalty of Peru ' Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata ' United Provinces of the River Plate Argentine Confederation ' |
| Bolivia | Governorate of New Toledo Viceroyalty of Peru ' Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata ' Viceroyalty of Peru ' /' |
| Brazil | Colonial Brazil ' United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves Empire of Brazil Republic of the United States of Brazil United States of Brazil ' |
| Chile | Captaincy General of Chile ' |
| Colombia | Governorate of New Toledo Viceroyalty of Peru ' Viceroyalty of New Granada Gran Colombia Republic of New Granada Granadine Confederation United States of Colombia ' |
| Ecuador | Governorate of New Toledo Viceroyalty of Peru ' Viceroyalty of New Granada Gran Colombia ' |
| Guyana | Colony of Essequibo, Berbice and Colony of Demerara ' British Guiana Guyana ' |
| Panama | Governorate of New Toledo Viceroyalty of Peru ' Viceroyalty of New Granada Gran Colombia Republic of New Granada Granadine Confederation United States of Colombia Republic of Colombia ' |
| Paraguay | Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata ' |
| Peru | Inca Empire Governorate of New Castile and Governorate of New Toledo ' Viceroyalty of Peru ' |
| Suriname | Colony of Surinam Country of Suriname ' ' |
| Trinidad and Tobago | Viceroyalty of New Granada British West Indies ' |
| Uruguay | United Provinces of the River Plate United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves Empire of Brazil ' |
| Venezuela | Viceroyalty of New Spain Viceroyalty of New Granada Captaincy General of Venezuela Gran Colombia State of Venezuela Republic of Venezuela United States of Venezuela Republic of Venezuela ' |