The prefix +59 on its own does not belong to a single country. Instead, 59 is the starting digit for an entire block of three-digit International Telecommunication Union (ITU) country codes assigned to various nations and territories across South America and the Caribbean.
If you have a phone number starting with +59, the subsequent one or two digits are critical in identifying the destination country. This article will break down the complete 59 country code block, list the specific countries associated with each code, and provide the correct international dialing steps for reaching these locations.
The +59 International Country Code Block
The ITU organizes the world’s calling codes into zones. The code block starting with ‘5’ is designated for the South and Central Americas. While codes like +51 (Peru), +54 (Argentina), +55 (Brazil), +56 (Chile), +57 (Colombia), and +58 (Venezuela) use a two-digit code, the numbers starting with 59 are all three-digit codes.
Here are the countries and territories whose calling codes begin with the digits +59:
| Full Country Code | Country or Territory | Continent/Region |
| +590 | Guadeloupe, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin | Caribbean (French Antilles) |
| +591 | Bolivia (Plurinational State of) | South America |
| +592 | Guyana | South America |
| +593 | Ecuador | South America |
| +594 | French Guiana | South America (French Overseas Dept.) |
| +595 | Paraguay | South America |
| +596 | Martinique | Caribbean (French Antilles) |
| +597 | Suriname | South America |
| +598 | Uruguay | South America |
| +599 | Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire (Former Netherlands Antilles) | Caribbean |
How to Call Countries in the +59 Block
To successfully complete a call to any country in the 59 country code block, you must use the full three-digit country code, followed by the specific local area code (if applicable) and the subscriber number.
The universal international dialing format is:
Example Dialing Sequence (Calling Ecuador, +593)
To call a landline in Quito, Ecuador, from the United States, you would use the U.S. exit code (011), the full country code (+593), the area code for Quito (2), and the local number (7 digits).
| Element | Code | Note |
| 1. Exit Code (from U.S.) | 011 | Use 00 from most of Europe |
| 2. Country Code | 593 | The full code for Ecuador |
| 3. Area Code (Quito) | 2 | 1-digit code for the capital |
| 4. Local Number | XXX XXXX | Usually 7 digits |
| Full Dialing Example | 011 593 2 XXX XXXX |
Key Area Codes within the +59 Block
While mobile numbers generally skip geographic area codes and use network prefixes instead, landline calls still require the city code.
Here are the codes for the capital cities within the +59 block:
| Country Code | Capital City | Area Code (Dialed after 59X) |
| +591 (Bolivia) | La Paz | 2 |
| +592 (Guyana) | Georgetown | 2 |
| +593 (Ecuador) | Quito | 2 |
| +595 (Paraguay) | Asunción | 21 |
| +597 (Suriname) | Paramaribo | No city codes used |
| +598 (Uruguay) | Montevideo | 2 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is a call from country code 59 likely a scam?
Calls originating from international prefixes, including the +59 block, can sometimes be associated with international scams like Wangiri fraud (one-ring hang-ups). These scams aim to trick recipients into calling back and incurring expensive international fees.
Safety Tip: If you receive an unexpected call or text message from a +59X number that you do not recognize, do not answer or call back. If you have legitimate contacts in that country, always verify the source before engaging.
Do all countries in South America start with 59?
No. The South American calling zone starts with ‘5’, but many major nations use a two-digit code in the ‘5x’ block:
- +51 (Peru)
- +54 (Argentina)
- +55 (Brazil)
- +56 (Chile)
- +57 (Colombia)
- +58 (Venezuela)
The three-digit codes starting with +59 are used for the remaining, generally smaller, South American nations and certain Caribbean territories.
How do I dial a mobile phone in a +59X country?
For most countries in the +59 block, mobile numbers are dialed directly after the full three-digit country code.
The mobile number itself usually consists of a 1- or 2-digit mobile prefix (like a network indicator) followed by the local subscriber number, making the entire national number 7 to 8 digits long. Always check the specific country’s mobile dialing rules to ensure accuracy.
