The 10 largest countries in Latin America

Take a bowl of exoticism and warmth with this list of the 10 largest countries in Latin America to discover urgently!

When you evoke Latin America... It is already possible to hear brazilian maracas or to smell the sweet smells of Peruvian ceviches. You even see the color festival taking place before your eyes! This is Latin America! A colorful fusion between folklore cultures and local traditions, between breathtaking landscapes and spicy gastronomic effluves.

Through the list of the 10 largest countries in Latin America, discover their multicultural singularities, their multicultural dynamism and finally, the beauty of a whole continent.

South America, Latin America, what difference?

The distinction must be made between South America and Latin America. The first identifies only the terrestrial continent, geographically located in the southern hemisphere of the globe. While the second concerns countries whose official languages are derived from Latin.

Thus, South America does not integrate Mexico, but Latin America, yes. That is why we have integrated it into our list, simply.

1. Brazil

With a surface of more than 8.5 million square kilometres, Brazil rises immediately at the top of this list. It occupies almost half of the South American continent (47.3 per cent). As much as to tell you that to visit Brazil in its entirety, you have to plan time... Otherwise, you can opt for the must-sees that will give you a good idea of the country's wealth.

His capital, Brasília , often confused with Rio de Janeiro , is a condensed of local folklore, to be discovered without moderation. Salvador de Bahia is the former Brazilian capital, now very cultural. However, it preserved all the charm of Portuguese and African influences that built it. But Brazil is also a lot of nature.

With the famous Amazonian forest, the Costa Verde, the beautiful Iguazú Falls or even Lençóis Maranhenses National Park ... You're going to take your eyes!

2. Argentina

Argentina is one of the largest countries in Latin America, on the other hand, its... This is one of the points to which you will need to pay attention when organizing your trip: transportation times. To reach two points, you will sometimes have to consider using internal flights so it would be too long by bus!

That said, these routes are always worth it. Argentina is a beautiful country where many landscapes are mixed, always very varied. First discover the capital, Buenos Aires , ultra lively and colourful, animated by a very European culture having preserved its charms. If you are looking for Argentinian color, go to Cerro Hornocal, the mountain with fourteen colors.

Don't miss them Iguazú Falls , shared between Argentina and Brazil, or the Perito Moreno glacier, a great must in the south of the country.

3. Mexico

Mexico is a fascinating country by its history. Geographical transition between the two Americas, it has developed around this primary culture, that of the Mayan and Aztec peoples, which you can easily discover the remains in the four corners of the country.

Archaeological sites are also great tourist points of interest like Palenque, Uxmal, Chichen Itza or Tulum . Exciting vestiges still in condition, pushing unmistakably to curiosity! Beyond these historical witnesses, Mexico is also a festival of colours and cultures.

There is a breathtaking natural richness: the cenotes, the Quintana Roo islands, the waterfalls of Água Azul or the terms of Hierve El Agua. In the capital, Mexico , as Luis Mariano sings, “the sun sings” and “nothing stops us”.

Indeed, very dynamic, you will be galvanized by the powers of the city and its treasures.

4. Peru

A fascinating and mysterious country, the theatre of many theories (factual or not) on ancient civilizations, Peru is a wonderful country. Just thinking about it, we already hear the jovial and passionate melodies of beak flutes. Yet, Peru is much more than what we can sometimes sum it up: punhos, incas, Machu Picchu .

Of course, the Machu Picchu is a Peruvian must-see that we highly recommend you. Like the colourful mountains of Vinikunka, Titicaca Lake or Cuzco and Lima , two cities with very tempered characters. But the varied landscapes of Peru offer many other views not to miss! They are both sea and mountain, green valley and rocky plain, dense forest and arid desert.

For a trip to one of the largest countries in Latin America, Peru offers a rather impressive completeness.

5. Colombia

Located northwest of South America, on the edge of the South American isthmus, the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Colombia is dreaming. From this country comes a warm welcome, very exotic but mostly very colourful. In the image of Cartagena de Indias , a city of the Caribbean coast with multicolored houses and flowery streets. Its historic colonial center will have what to leave you beautiful memories, open the mirettes!

The Colombian capital, Bogotá , is very cultural with very many museums and a large artistic collection. In addition to its urban centres, the country has an amazing natural wealth. For example, the colourful river of Caño Cristales, the Red Desert of Tatacoa or the Park of Tierradentro, listed in Unesco.

In another equally impressive register, do not miss the salt Cathedral of Zipaquira, mystical and dreadful...

6. Bolivia

Landlocked countries, Bolivia is not yet beautiful landscapes. On horseback on the Andes Mountain, the Amazonian Forest Basin and the Atacama Desert, it has a fabulous natural plurality. Its capital, La Paz, is perched at 3,500 meters above sea level, if this can give you an idea of the relief of the country!

One of the country’s emblems is Salar d’Uyuni, located more than 4,000 meters above sea level. A very extraordinary show... of salt! The parks of Sajama and Torotoro are essentials of Bolivia, as they promise mountains and wonders... And keep your word!

The first house is the volcano of the same name, the Bolivian roof, while the second has invaluable geological and archaeological beauties (fossiles and traces of dinosaurs pas).

7. Venezuela

Venezuela is in the northern part of South America. It is also a region where nature has remained very dense, with Amazon forests and jungles. There are several types of landscapes: seaside (Caribbean Coast), plains crossed by the Orenoque River and its tributaries and even a few summits, the first fruits of the Andean Cordillera.

Venezuela has been attracting tourists for less than its neighbours because of its slower development. Its historical heritage is interesting but we visit it for its floral and wildlife richness. Its long coast offers many spots where scuba diving is a must-do, with very varied funds. Don’t miss the Los Roques Archipelago for this ideal place!

On the land side, the national parks will make you appreciate the sumptuous landscapes and the pure air that you can breathe (including on the Brazilian border).

8. Chile

With its long-distance shape, Chile is an extraordinaryly varied country. Very long and narrow, it lies along the Cordillera of the Andes and is bordered by the Pacific Ocean. Yet his literal landscapes are heteroclites, sometimes even extreme. Especially south, Punta Arenas and Alberto de Agostini National Park, where huge glaciers try to keep their place.

This part of Chile is very steep and unsustainable, but to visit is a happiness. Don’t miss the Torres del Paine Park, the city of Valparaiso and the Elqui Valley, close to the Chilean wine route. Chile is also the country of space observation, with its pure and very limited sky in light pollution.

For example, discover Cerro Paranal, a Mount of Atacama where an observation center can be visited (from which you will have beautiful views of the surrounding area).

9. Paraguay

Central country in South America, Paraguay is nestled between Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina. A discrete nation, it is divided into two territories that separate the river Río Paraguay. To the west, the region is very natural, including a dense subtropical forest, marshy areas of savanna and winding rivers. This is the part called Gran Chaco.

In the east of the Río Paraguay, a more populous region, with the capital, on the border: Asunción. Very old (XVI century), the capital today has a very discreet atmosphere while being warm. Basin of historical and modern culture, it is still dynamic. Finally, to visit Paraguay there is another place you should not miss: Laguna Blanca.

It bears its name: a huge lagoon, with white sandy beaches, in a colorless, almost lunar environment! Scary!

10. Ecuador

Last of our list of the largest countries in Latin America, Ecuador is not very large. We know it because it is crossed by the equatorial line that divides the Earth into two hemispheres! A monument, Mitad del Mundo , concretizes this particularity and attracts thousands of tourists every year.

Indeed, who did not dream of finding himself in the middle of the world, close to latitude and longitude 0’0’0? A remarkable fact, we owe this discovery to a French expedition. Otherwise, Ecuador is also full of natural and human wonders. For example, the capital in the north, Quito, its historic centre, its dynamism and its nightlife.

For the natural aspect of your trip, Ecuador has incredible national parks and reserves: Cotopaxi, Sangay, Yasuní. Finally, if you can, pass through the Quilotoa lagoon, this huge crater lake accessible after a trek.

So, what will your next destination be among the 10 largest countries in Latin America?