17 countries
Map of Latin America in 1825
The new republics
Latin America at the end of 1825, after the battle of Ayacucho (1824): almost all of Spanish America was independent, organised into large republics that would soon split.
- Gran Colombia joined today's Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama; it broke up in 1830.
- The Federal Republic of Central America united Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica until 1839.
- Bolivia was brand new (August 1825) and had a Pacific coast, which it lost in the war with Chile (1879–1884).
- Uruguay was the Cisplatine province of the Empire of Brazil; it became independent in 1828.
- Cuba and Puerto Rico stayed Spanish until 1898, and Haiti ruled the whole island of Hispaniola from 1822 to 1844. The population figures are estimates of the time: the quiz only uses them to compare.
How it is made: the coasts are today's, and the borders follow today's divisions where they match those of the time and, where they do not, lines drawn by hand, good to about 10 km. Shapes: Natural Earth (public domain). Compare with today's Central & South America →
Facts: the map of Latin America in 1825
- On the map
- 17 countries · 4 are so small they show as a dot (complete level)
- Largest country
- Empire of Brazil (≈ 8,500,000 km²)
- Smallest country
- British Trinidad and Tobago (≈ 5,100 km²)
- Most populous country
- Mexico (≈ 6,500,000 people)
- Least populous country
- British Honduras (settlement) (≈ 4,000 people)
- Northernmost capital
- Mexico City (Mexico)
- Southernmost capital
- Buenos Aires (United Provinces of the Río de la Plata)
- Most neighbours
- Empire of Brazil: 8
- No land border with another country on the map
- British Jamaica, British Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, and Puerto Rico (Spanish)
Fun facts: Map of Latin America in 1825
- Simón Bolívar was the first president of Gran Colombia.
- The battle of Ayacucho (9 December 1824) ended Spanish rule in South America.
- Bolivia is named after Simón Bolívar.
- In 1825 Portugal recognised the independence of Brazil, an empire under Pedro I since 1822.
- Uruguay was Brazil's Cisplatine province; in 1825 the Thirty-Three Orientals began the fight that made it independent in 1828.
- In 1825 Britain recognised Mexico, Gran Colombia and the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata.
- Haiti held the Spanish part of the island from 1822 to 1844: the Dominican Republic celebrates its independence from Haiti.
- Cuba and Puerto Rico were Spain's last colonies in the Americas: they stayed Spanish until 1898.
Test yourself
Which was the largest country of Latin America in 1825?
Empire of Brazil.
Which was the most populous country of Latin America in 1825?
Mexico.
Which was the smallest country of Latin America in 1825?
British Trinidad and Tobago.
Which was the least populous country of Latin America in 1825?
British Honduras (settlement).
More maps
Latin America in 181017 countriesCentral & South America19 countriesEurope in 188027 countriesEurope in 191426 countriesEurope in 193836 countriesEurope in 194536 countriesEurope in 198935 countriesAfrica in 191444 countriesAfrica in 196052 countriesAsia in 191436 countriesAsia in 192443 countriesAsia in 194543 countries
The countries on the map of Latin America in 1825, and what they are today
Today's countries that cover a good part of its land, largest share first.
Show the map with the names (to revise)
Show the table (17)
| Country | Capital | Today part of |
|---|---|---|
| Bolivia | Chuquisaca (Sucre) | Bolivia, Brazil, Chile |
| British Guiana | Georgetown | Guyana |
| British Honduras (settlement) | Belize | Belize |
| British Jamaica | Spanish Town | Jamaica |
| British Trinidad and Tobago | Port of Spain | Trinidad and Tobago |
| Chile | Santiago | Chile |
| Dutch Suriname | Paramaribo | Suriname |
| Empire of Brazil | Rio de Janeiro | Brazil, Uruguay |
| Federal Republic of Central America | Guatemala City | Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador |
| French Guiana | Cayenne | France |
| Gran Colombia | Bogotá | Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Panama |
| Haiti | Port-au-Prince | Dominican Republic, Haiti |
| Mexico | Mexico City | Mexico |
| Paraguay | Asunción | Paraguay |
| Peru | Lima | Peru, Chile |
| Puerto Rico (Spanish) | San Juan | |
| United Provinces of the Río de la Plata | Buenos Aires | Argentina |