List of currencies in South America
There are fourteen currencies currently used in South America (this covers twelve sovereign countries, two dependencies, and a integral territory). All de facto present currencies in South America, and all available preceding currencies, are listed here. Note, Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao are included in North America per the United Nations geoscheme for the Americas.
In South America, all sovereign states and dependencies except Ecuador use their own currencies; Ecuador uses the United States dollar[1] (the French overseas department French Guiana uses the euro, the currency of France). The Brazilian real is considered a strong South American currency; under the prime ministers Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Dilma Rousseff, the real almost tripled in value, resulting in a vast change in economics, with many people who were middle class benefiting greatly.[2] The minimum wage was raised, and Brazil's position as a leading exporter of raw materials, including soya beans and iron ore was underlined, but they are responsible for Brazil's improved economy, which damaged the "competitiveness of manufacturing",[2] reducing the amount of exports.[3]
The Chilean currency, the Chilean peso, is also strong.[4] However, this again means that manufacturing struggles, as cheaper imports are pricing them out of business.[4] In January 2011, after Chile announced that in 2011 the country planned to buy foreign reserves of $12 billion, the peso experienced an immediate fall in value.[4] The country's main export is copper to China and India.[4] The currency strength has resulted in over-high wages, and high inflation.[4]
South American sovereign state currencies
| Country | Present currency | Currency sign | Fractional unit | Previous currency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Argentina
|
Argentine peso[5] | $ | Centavo[5] | Argentine austral[6] |
 Bolivia
|
Bolivian boliviano[7] | Bs | Centavo[8] | First boliviano[8] |
 Brazil
|
Brazilian real[9] | R$ | Centavo[10] | Brazilian cruzeiro real[11] |
 Chile
|
Chilean peso[12] | $ | Centavo[12] | Chilean escudo[13] |
 Colombia
|
Colombian peso[14] | $ | Centavo[14] | Colombian real[15] |
 Ecuador
|
United States dollar[16] | $ | Cent[16] | Ecuadorian sucre[17] |
 Guyana
|
Guyanese dollar[18] | $, G$ | Cent[19] | Pound sterling[19] |
 Paraguay
|
Paraguayan guaraní[20] | ₲ | Céntimo[20] | Paraguayan peso |
 Peru
|
Peruvian nuevo sol[21] | S/. | Céntimo[21] | Peruvian inti[22] |
 Suriname
|
Surinamese dollar[23] | $ | Cent[24] | Suriname guilder[24] |
 Uruguay
|
Uruguayan peso[25] | $U | Centésimo[25] | None[26] |
 Venezuela
|
Venezuelan bolivar[27] | Bs. | Céntimo[27] | Venezuelan bolivar[28] |
South American dependency currencies
| Dependent territory | Present currency | Currency sign | Fractional unit | Previous currency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Falkland Islands
|
Falkland Islands pound[29] | £[29] (FK£)[30] | Pence[29] | Pound sterling[30] |
 South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
|
Britsh currency)[31] | None (no permanent residents)[31] | None (no permanent residents)[31] | None (no permanent residents)[31] |
Other South American currencies
| Location | Present currency | Currency sign | Fractional unit | Previous currency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 French Guiana
|
Euro[32] | €[32] | Cent[32] | French franc / French Guianan franc |
References
- ^ "Currency in South America". Contiki. 28 December 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
- ^ a b Chetwynd, Gareth (29 August 2011). "Brazil's strong currency benefits consumers but punishes businesses". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ^ Inman, Phillip (25 July 2013). "Brazil's real economic crisis lies in its overvalued currency". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "Waging the currency war". The Economist. 13 January 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ^ a b "ARS - Argentine Peso". Xe. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ "Argentina". International Economics. Archived from the original on May 22, 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "BOB - Bolivian Boliviano". Xe. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ a b "Bolivian Boliviano". Oanda. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ "BRL - Brazilian Real". Xe. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ "Brazilian Real". Oanda. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ "Brazil". International Economics. Archived from the original on September 20, 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "CLP - Chilean Peso". Xe. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ "Chilean Peso". Oanda. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ a b "COP - Colombian Peso". Xe. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ "Colombian Peso". Oanda. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ a b "USD - US Dollar". Xe. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ "Ecuador Sucre". Oanda. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ "GYD - Guyanese Dollar". Xe. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ a b "Guyanese Dollar". Oanda. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ a b "Paraguay Guarani". Oanda. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ a b "PEN - Peruvian Nuevo Sol". Xe. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ "Peru". International Economics. Archived from the original on May 22, 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "SRD - Surinamese Dollar". Xe. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ a b "Suriname Dollar". Oanda. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ a b "UYU - Uruguayan Peso". Xe. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ "Uruguayan Peso". Oanda. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ a b "VEF - Venezuelan Bolivar". Xe. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ "Venezuelan Bolivar". Oanda. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ^ a b c "FKP - Falkland Island Pound". Xe. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ^ a b "Falkland Islands Pound". Oanda. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ^ a b c d "The island". South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ^ a b c "EUR - Euro". Xe. Retrieved 10 May 2014.