Final answer:
Suriname is the smallest sovereign nation in South America, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, French Guiana, Brazil, and Guyana. Uruguay is the second smallest country, while Brazil and Argentina are much larger, with Brazil being a former Portuguese Colony.
Step-by-step explanation:
The smallest sovereign nation in South America is Suriname. Suriname is located on the northeastern Atlantic coast and is the only country in South America with Dutch as an official language.
Although Uruguay is often thought to be the smallest due to its small land size when considering sovereignty and not including territories of other countries, Suriname holds the title of the smallest sovereign nation.
It's bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north, French Guiana to the east, Brazil to the south, and Guyana to the west. With a land area of approximately 163,821 square kilometers, Suriname's population is also among the smallest in South America.
Uruguay, mentioned often for its compact size, is the second smallest country in South America after Suriname. According to the provided reference material, Uruguay benefits from its strategic location, natural resources, and agricultural industry despite its size, contributing to a stable economy.
Here, our focus on Suriname as the smallest sovereign nation contrasts with Uruguay's standing and the larger countries like Brazil and Argentina. Additionally, Brazil is noted for being a former Portuguese Colony and is significantly different in size and scope relative to Suriname and Uruguay.