Interesting South America Facts

The continent of South America is rich in history, and enjoys some of the most stunning scenery, wildlife species, plant life, cultures and traditions, natural and manmade landmarks in the world. The continent has twelve countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Popular with tourists, the continent of South America boasts excellent beaches, hot climate conditions and plenty to see and do. Some of the most popular tourist attractions in South America include: Machu Picchu, the ancient Incan citadel in Peru, The Amazon Basin and Amazon Rainforest, the Atacama Desert, The Angel Falls in Venezuela, the Iguaza Falls in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, the Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina, the Salt Flats in Bolivia, the Torres del Paine National Park of Patagonia, and the huge statue of Christ the Redeemer in Brazil.

South America was named after the Western Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian Merchant. This man suggested that the landmass should not be included are part of the East Indies. Amerigo Vespucci published his works under the alias ‘Americus Vespucci’. His philosophy caused great controversy, and once the landmass was discovered by the Europeans, it was in fact given a female version of Amerigo's pen name, and the land became known as America!

South America Fact File:
Countries / Sovereign States of South America: There are 12 countries in South America *** Surrounding Oceans and Seas of South America: Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Caribbean Sea *** Area Size of South America: Approximately 6.9 million square miles *** Estimated Population of South America: 422,535,000 people *** Largest Country in South America: Brazil *** Smallest Country in South America: Suriname *** Largest City in South America: São Paulo *** Most Populated City in South America: São Paulo *** Countries in South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela *** Capital Cities of South America: Buenos Aires, Sucre, Brasilia, Santiago, Bogotá, Quito, Georgetown, Asunción, Lima, Paramaribo, Montevideo and Caracas.

Interesting Facts for Kids: Where is South America located?
South America is a continent located in the southern hemisphere, between the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. All land situated south of the Panama Canal is considered South America. The continent stretches approximately 6.9 million square miles long making it the fourth largest continent in the world. South America covers around four percent оf the earth's surface.

Interesting Facts for Kids: What is the population of South America?
The population of South America is estimated at having somewhere in the region of 422,535,000 inhabitants, making it the fifth most populated continent in the world.

Interesting Facts for Kids: What borders the continent of South America?
South America is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the West and the Atlantic Ocean to the North and East. The Caribbean Sea is located in the Northwest region. The continents of North and South America are connected by the Isthmus of Panama; the narrow strip of land situated between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

Interesting Facts for Kids: What Languages are spoken in South America?
Many languages are spoken throughout the continent of North America. Spanish and Portuguese are the official languages of Brazil which is the largest country in South America. Indigenous languages of South America include Aymara (2.2 million speakers in Bolivia and Peru), Guarani (in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay) and Quechua (10-13 million speakers in Argentina, Northern Chile, Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru). Other languages, such as French (іn French Guiana) are spoken but in much smaller numbers. English is spoken by many people as a second language, and is the primary language in the South American country, Guyana. Dutch is the official language of Suriname.

South America Facts for Kids

Interesting Facts for Kids: How many countries are there in South America?
There are 12 independent countries in South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela. In addition, there are 3 dependencies i.e. claimed by an independent country: Falkland Islands, also called the Malvinas (the Falkland Islands are British territory but Argentina is still trying to claim it), French Guiana (territory of France), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (British territory). Click on the links below to begin learning about the twelve countries of South America:

South America Facts for Kids

Interesting Facts for Kids: What are the South American capitals?
The twelve capital cities of the countries of South America are Buenos Aires in Argentina, Sucre in Bolivia, Brasilia in Brazil, Santiago in Chile, Bogotá in Colombia, Quito in Ecuador, Georgetown in Guyana, Asunción in Paraguay, Lima in Peru, Paramaribo in Suriname, Montevideo in Uruguay, and Caracas in Venezuela.

Interesting Facts for Kids: What is the largest country in South America?
Brazil is the largest country in South America and one of the biggest in the world geographically. Its coastline is 7,367 km long! The total area size of Brazil is 8.516 million square km. Brazil is the third largest country in the Americas and the fifth largest country in the world. This South American country has a massive population of more than 207,700,000 people.

Interesting Facts for Kids: What is the smallest country in South America?
In terms of area and population, Suriname is the smallest country in South America. It’s total area size is 163,821 square km and its population is estimated at 585,800 inhabitants. Most of the population live on coastal areas as much of Suriname’s geography comprises of forest area.

Interesting Facts for Kids: What is the largest city in South America?
The largest and most populated city in South America is São Paulo in Brazil. São Paulo has a population of more than 12 million people and a total area size of 1,521 square km.

South America Facts for Kids

Interesting Facts for Kids: South America Desert
The largest desert on the continent of South America is known as the Atacama Desert. This is the driest desert in the world, it is around 50 times drier than America's Death Valley. The Atacama Desert occurs in four countries of South America: Chile, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina, with its largest presence being in Chile. The Atacama Desert spans across approximately 128,000 square km of land. The climate of this South American desert can be described as cold with average temperatures ranging between 0-25 degrees Celsius. The Atacama Desert is one of the driest places on Earth as it receives only 15 mms (0.6 inches) of rainfall in a year on average.

Interesting Facts for Kids: Mountains in South America
The continent of South America is home to some of the world’s most famous, largest, longest and highest mountain ranges including the Andes, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Sierras de Cordoba, Wilhelmina Mountains, and the Mantiqueira Mountains.