How Many Countries In The Southern Hemisphere

How Many Countries Are in the Southern Hemisphere? A Complete Geographic Guide

The question "how many countries are in the Southern Hemisphere?" seems straightforward but opens a fascinating window into global geography, political recognition, and the very definition of a "country." The simple numerical answer is approximately 32 sovereign states have the majority of their landmass located south of the equator. However, the journey to that number is filled with interesting nuances, from continents straddling the equator to territories with complex political statuses. This guide will provide a definitive count, break down the regions, and explore why the number isn't as fixed as one might assume.

Understanding the Southern Hemisphere and What Defines a "Country"

The Southern Hemisphere is the half of Earth south of the Equator. It encompasses parts of all continents except Europe and Antarctica (which is a continent governed by an international treaty). The key challenge in counting countries lies in two areas: sovereignty and geographic placement.

First, we must define "country." For this article, we use the most common international standard: a sovereign state that is a member of the United Nations or has broad international recognition. This excludes dependent territories, overseas departments, and partially recognized states, though we will address them separately. Second, we must decide on a geographic threshold. A country is generally considered "in" the Southern Hemisphere if its capital city or the majority of its land area and population lies south of the equator. Nations like Brazil, Indonesia, and Kenya have significant land in both hemispheres but are primarily Northern Hemisphere countries due to their capitals and population centers.

The Definitive List: 32 Sovereign Southern Hemisphere Countries

Here is the complete list of the 32 sovereign nations with their primary territory south of the equator, organized by region and continent.

1. Africa (7 Countries)

The Southern Hemisphere portion of Africa is dominated by the sub-Saharan region.

• Angola
• Botswana
• Eswatini (formerly Swaziland)
• Lesotho
• Madagascar
• Mauritius
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• South Africa
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
• Note: The island nation of Seychelles is also entirely south of the equator, bringing the African total to 12. Earlier counts sometimes grouped it with Africa geographically, but politically it is an Indian Ocean island nation. For strict continental grouping, we list it separately below.

2. South America (10 Countries)

Almost the entire continent of South America lies in the Southern Hemisphere, with only a small northern portion of Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname above the equator.

• Argentina
• Bolivia
• Brazil (Note: The vast majority of Brazil's landmass and population, including its capital Brasília, is south of the equator.)
• Chile
• Colombia (Mostly north, but a significant southern portion is south of the equator. Its capital, Bogotá, is north. It is often included in lists due to its substantial southern territory.)
• Ecuador (The Galápagos Islands are in the Southern Hemisphere, but the mainland capital, Quito, is north. It is a borderline case often excluded from the "primary" list.)
• Guyana
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Suriname
• Uruguay
• Venezuela (Mostly north, with a tiny southern region. Typically excluded.)
• *The definitive, unambiguous South American list includes Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Uruguay—9 countries. Colombia and Ecuador are sometimes included based on territorial extent.

3. Oceania / Australia (3 Countries & 1 Associated State)

This region is almost entirely in the Southern Hemisphere.

• Australia (the entire mainland continent)
• Fiji
• New Zealand
• Papua New Guinea (Mostly north of the equator, but the island of New Guinea itself is split. The independent state of PNG is entirely north of the equator, so it is excluded.)
• Vanuatu
• Solomon Islands
• Samoa
• Tonga
• Micronesia (Primarily north, excluded.)
• *The clear sovereign states entirely south are Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Samoa, and Tonga—7 countries. The territory of Niue is an associated state of New Zealand in free association, often counted separately.

4. Asia (1 Country)

Only one large Asian nation has its capital and core territory firmly in the Southern Hemisphere.

• Indonesia (This is the most complex case. The equator runs through the archipelago. The capital, Jakarta, is on the northern side. However, the vast majority of Indonesia's islands and population, including Sumatra, Java, Bali, and Timor, are south of the equator. It is consistently included in the Southern Hemisphere country list due to its predominant southern landmass.)
• East Timor (Timor-Leste) is entirely south of the equator and is a sovereign state.

5. Indian Ocean Island Nations (4 Countries)

These islands are geographically part of Africa or Asia but are distinct sovereign states.

• Mauritius (listed under Africa above)
• Seychelles (listed under Africa above)
• Comoros (Entirely north of the equator, excluded.)
• Maldives (Entirely north, excluded.)
• The clear Southern Hemisphere island states are Mauritius and Seychelles.

Consolidated Master List (32 Countries)

Based on the criteria of a sovereign state with its capital and/or majority landmass south of the equator, the list is:

1. Angola
2. Argentina
3. Australia
4. Bolivia
5. Botswana
6. Brazil
7. Chile
8. Colombia (included for significant southern territory)
9. Ecuador (Galápagos consideration, borderline)
10. Eswatini
11. Fiji
12. Lesotho
13. Madagascar
14. Mauritius
15. Mozambique
16. Namibia
17. New Zealand