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About This Quiz
Ola! Or should we say hola? Travelling down to South America, you'd be met with distinct cultures as you travel the continent, but where exactly are you headed? With large countries such as Brazil and Argentina, it's quite an easy feat to get lost, but not if you're a master of South American geography!
Its own small melting pot, South America has a blend of cultures and languages. While most of the country speaks Portuguese due to Brazil's high population, Spanish is a close second. You'll also find the Guyanese speaking English, the Surinen speaking Dutch, and the Guineans speaking French. If you wanted to meet your English-speaking counterparts, would you travel north, south, east, or west? Which two countries are land-locked? Brazil shares a border with how many countries?
While you might be good with capitals, do you know what side of the country Lima falls on? Can you pick which country borders Central America? Your knowledge might span the largest country on the continent and even the smallest but travel deeper! We're going beyond the Amazon through the mountains and into the desert.ÂÂ
If you're ready to bounce around from Buenos Aires to Brasilia to Caracas, let's take a trip with this quiz!
How many countries are there in South America?
20
12
The South American continent is made up of 12 countries. Even with this small number, the large continent holds more than 422 million people.
22
Eight
Which of these is a landlocked country in South America?
Venezuela
Bolivia
Due to the relatively large size of most of its countries, South America doesn't have very many landlocked states. In fact, it only has two, Bolivia and Paraguay.
Uruguay
Argentina
What is the longest river in South America?
Amazon
The Amazon River is the longest river in South America. Almost twice the size of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, it runs for more than 4,300 miles.
Parana
Orinoco
Uruguay
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What is the longest mountain range in the world?
Sierra Nevada
Serra do Mar
Sierras de Cordoba
Andes
The Andes are not only the longest mountain range in South America, but it is also the longest in the world. Along the western coast of South America, the Andes are more than 4,300 miles long.
Which of these countries physically located on the continent was formerly colonized by France and is not considered part of South America?
Suriname
Chile
French Guiana
While most South American countries have a history of Spanish settlers, the French settled in what is now French Guiana. Although located ON the continent, it is not considered part of South America and is considered a part of France.
Venezuela
Spanish is not the official language of which of these countries?
Venezuela
Bolivia
Brazil
Although most of the countries in South America speak Spanish, there are four that do not. It's the largest country on the continent, and the natives of Brazil speak Portuguese. The countries of Guyana and Suriname speak English and Dutch, respectively.
Paraguay
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Which of these countries is named for it's latitudinal coordinate?
Colombia
Brazil
Ecuador
While many countries are named after an important historical figure, not Ecuador! The Spanish word for equator, Ecuador got it's name since it is crossed by the equator.
Paraguay
Which lake sits on the border between Peru and Bolivia?
Lake Maracaibo
Lagoa dos Patos
Lake Eyre
Lake Titicaca
While probably one of the more well-known lakes of South America, Lake Titicaca is the 4th largest. Around 3,200 miles in area, it is located between the borders of Peru and Bolivia.
In which country would you find the statue, Christ the Redeemer?
Argentina
Venezuela
Brazil
Christ the Redeemer is one of the great wonders of the world. Found in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the statue stands over 100 feet tall.
Peru
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What is the tallest waterfall in the world?
Niagara Falls
Tugela Falls
Gocta Cataracts
Angel Falls
Angels Falls, located in Venezuela, is the largest waterfall in the world. It stands at over 3,200 feet.
Which of these South American countries doesn't border the Atlantic Ocean?
Guyana
Uruguay
Brazil
Peru
The continent of South America shares borders with both the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. Since Peru is on the western side of the continent, it shares no border with the Atlantic Ocean.
With which of these countries does Brazil not share a border?
Colombia
Bolivia
Venezuela
Chile
Brazil is the largest country in South America. Taking up almost half of the area of the continent alone, Brazil shares a border with nine of the 11 other countries. It doesn't share a border with Ecuador or Chile.
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What is the capital of Argentina?
Cordoba
Rosario
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina. The city has a population of more than 13 million people.
Mara del Plata
Which country is considered to reach the southernmost point of mainland South America?
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Chile is the most southernmost point in South America. Although it is debated whether its southernmost point is Cabo Froward or Cape Horn, it is definitely a location in the Chilean country.
Paraguay
Which of these passes through the South American continent?
Tropic of Cancer
Tropic of Capricorn
The Tropic of Cancer runs through Mexico and a few islands in the Caribbean. The Tropic of Capricorn runs through South America, passing through Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil.
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What is the most spoken language in South America?
Spanish
English
Portuguese
While many might think Spanish is the most spoken language in South America, they'd be wrong! Although Spanish comes in at a close second, Portuguese is the most spoken language. The high population of Brazil pushes the language to #1.
French
Which country's capitals are Sucre and La Paz?
Colombia
Bolivia
Bolivia is considered to have two capital cities. Sucre is its constitutional capital, while La Paz is considered its administrative capital.
Guyana
Uruguay
What is the capital of Guyana?
Georgetown
Georgetown is the largest city and capital of Guyana. The city has just under 120,000 inhabitants.
Paramaribo
Cayenne
Port-of-Spain
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Which strait is located to the east of Argentina?
Bering Strait
Strait of Gibralter
Strait of Malacca
Strait of Magellan
The Strait of Magellan is a narrow strip of water that separates the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. It was named for the Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan.
What is the capital of Brazil?
Brasilia
Although Sao Paulo is the largest city with more than 12 million residents, and Rio de Janeiro might be the biggest tourist city, the capital of Brazil is Brasilia.
Rio de Janeiro
Sao Paulo
Salvador
Which body of water doesn't border South America?
Indian Ocean
South America is not bordered by the Indian Ocean. The continent is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, Atlantic Ocean to the east, and Caribbean Sea to the north.
Pacific Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
Caribbean Sea
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In what direction does the Amazon river flow?
North to South
East to West
West to East
Thousands of years ago, the Amazon River once flowed into the Pacific Ocean, but that is no longer the case. The river currently flows from west to east.
South to North
What ancient Inca city can be found in South America?
Carthage
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu was the ancient civilization of the Incas. Located in Peru, it has become a huge tourist attraction over the years.
Antioch
Hedeby
What is the strip of land that connects South America to the rest of North America?
Bering Strait
Bay of Pigs
Central America
While normally called Central America, this strip of land is very much part of North America. Just below Mexico, it connects to the South American continent. It is made up of countries like Belize, Honduras, and Panama.
Hispaniola
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Which Central American country borders South America?
Costa Rica
Honduras
Panama
Panama shares a border with the South American continent. It borders Colombia.
Nicaragua
What is the capital of Venezuela?
Maracaibo
Barquisimeto
Valencia
Caracas
Caracas is the capital city of Venezuela. Also it's largest city, it has over close to 2 million people.
Which of these islands ISN'T just off the coast of South America?
Trinidad and Tobago
Aruba
Curacao
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is not an island that is just off the coast of South America. The islands of Aruba, Curacao, and Trinidad and Tobago are just off the coast of the South American continent, all under 500 miles in distance from a South American city.
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What is the largest city in South America?
Lima
Santiago
Rio de Janerio
Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo is the largest city on the South American continent with just over 12 million people. It is also found in the largest country on the continent, Brazil, which has more than 207 million people.
What is the name of the driest hot desert in the world?
Sahara
Gobi
Antarctica
Atacama
While Antarctica is the driest desert in the world, it is cold. The driest hot desert in the world is Atacama Desert. Located west of the Andes mountain range, it is mostly located on the Chilean coast.
The popular Galapagos Islands are a part of which South American country?
Brazil
Argentina
Ecuador
The Galapagos Islands are a part of the Republic of Ecuador. It is known for its abundance of volcanoes and unique wildlife.
Peru
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Both the highest (Aconcagua) and lowest (Peninsula Valdes) points in South America can be found in which country?
Brazil
Argentina
Argentina houses both the highest and lowest points on the continent. Peninsula Valdes is the lowest point which comes in at -151 ft. below sea level. Aconagua, the highest point of the Andes mountains, stands at over 22,800 feet.
Colombia
Venezuela
What is the capital of Peru?
Quito
Lima
Lima is the largest city and capital city of Peru. The city also has more than 9 million inhabitants.
Sucre
Asuncion
What is the smallest South American country?
Uruguay
Guyana
Suriname
The smallest country in South America is Suriname, which is just over 160,000 square km.
Ecuador
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South America larger than which of these continents?
Africa
Asia
Europe
South America is the fourth-largest continent, making it larger than both Europe and Australia. It is fourth, just after Asia, Africa, and North America.
North America
You Got:
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