Which is the smallest independent country in South America?

Suriname is the smallest independent country in South America. It covers about 163,820 square kilometres, making it smaller than neighbouring Guyana, Uruguay and Ecuador.

Suriname occupies the continent’s northeastern coast between Guyana and French Guiana, with Brazil along its southern border and the Atlantic Ocean to the north. Much of its territory is covered by tropical rainforest, while most people live in the narrow coastal zone around Paramaribo.

A common mix-up is French Guiana, which is smaller than Suriname in area. French Guiana is not an independent country; it is an overseas department and region of France. Suriname is a sovereign republic and became independent from the Netherlands on 25 November 1975.

The country’s colonial history helps explain its unusual cultural mix. Dutch is the official language, while communities descended from Indigenous peoples, enslaved Africans and Asian indentured workers contribute to a highly diverse society. Suriname is also the only independent country outside Europe where Dutch is the official language.