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Fun Trivia : South America Encyclopedia FunTrivia

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Interesting Questions, Facts and Information

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Interesting Questions, Facts, and Information

    South America

    What South American possession lies farthest from the mainland?Facts on South America

      Easter Island. it is situated 2300 miles west of Chile in the PAcific Ocean. This small volcanic island was discovered on Easter Sunday in 1722, and was annexed by Chile in 1888. Although it belongs to Chile, geographically Easter island is considered part of Oceania, not South America.

    How many of South America's twenty largest rivers empty into the Pacific Ocean?Facts on South America

      none. South America's continental divide runs along the crest of the Andes at the continent's western edge. In most places the divide lies within 200 miles of the Pasific coast. Rivers originating west of the divide have only a short distance to travel before reaching the Pacific. Rivers flowing east from the divide have nearly the whole expanse of the continent to cross before emptying into the Atlantic.

    Where in South America could you find places in which no rainfall has ever been recorded?Facts on South America

      North Chile. The Atacama desert in northern Chile. This barren land of sand, rocks, borax lakes and saline deposits is one of the driest regions in the world.

    How many South American countries are named for famous people or cities?Facts on South America

      three. Bolivia named after Simon Bolivar (reformer to help to liberate much of northern South America from Spanish ruler), Colombia named after Christopher Columbus. The third one is Venezuela (Spanish for 'little Venice').

    Where is the southernmost city in the world?Facts on South America

      Ushuaia. It is in Argentina on the island of Tierra del Fuego.

    What scientist made the Galapagos Islands famous?Facts on South America

      Charles Darwin . He visited the island during his 1831-1836 expedition on the HMS, Beagle. His observations of how various animal species had adapted to life on the islands contributed to his ground-breaking theory of evolution.

    What South American country is the longest when measured from north to south?Facts on South America

      Brazil . The country measures 2,725 milesnorth to south, which is approximate distance from New York city to Reno, Nevada.

    What South American country is the second longest distance measured from the north to south?Facts on South America

      Chile. The length is 2,647 miles.

    What South American city is the world's highest national capital?Facts on South America

      La Paz.

    What was discovered in Venezuela's Lake Maracaibo in 1914?Facts on South America

      oil. Maracaibo sits above one of the world's largest oil fields, and today the lake's surface is a thicket of oil derricks. Wealth frowm oil exportation has helped to make Venezuela one of the richest countries in Latin America.

    What famous desert runs along the west coast of South America?South American Facts

      Atacama Desert.

    What is South America's largest river?South American Facts

      Amazon. The Amazon is the largest in the world by volume. The Nile is longer in length.

    Which is not an example of a rainforest animal?South American Facts

      Puff Adder. The Puff Adder is found in Africa.

    What is the primary language of Brazil?South American Facts

      Portuguese. Although the primary language in South America is Spanish, the official language spoken in Brazil is Portuguese. Italian, Spanish, German, Japanese, and Arabic are also spoken in Brazil.

    Which country is the leading exporter of bananas?South American Facts

      Ecuador.

    How many independent countries are there in South America?South American Surprise!

      12. There are twelve INDEPENDENT countries in South America. The Falkland Islands are governed by Britain and French Guiana by France.

    What are the people of Chile called?South American Surprise!

      Chileans . The Chileans call the Atacama Desert 'The Great North'.

    Are the Galapagos Islands in the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean?South American Surprise!

      Pacific . Many interesting animals live there, including lizards, iguanas and the world's only sea lizards.

    Where is 'Lake Maracaibo'?South American Surprise!

      Venezuela. It is a major oil-producing area.

    At the intersection of which three countries is the mighty Iguazu Falls?The Americas South of Mexico

      Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil. 31 rivers meet at high speed to form over 200 separate waterfalls, countless glorious rainbows and one of the world's most amazing sites. One can actually cross between Argentina and Brazil via the Falls!

    In what country would you find the Nasca Lines?The Americas South of Mexico

      Peru. These mysterious etchings (which include animals, shapes and even an "astronaut") were carved into the Peruvian desert by the native Nascan people and are so vast that they are best seen from air. Even though there are countless theories, no-one has been able to state exactly why the lines were drawn.

    Which is South America's (and the world's) most southerly town?The Americas South of Mexico

      Ushuaia. The closest point to Antarctica, Argentina's Ushuaia has a population of just 40,000 and is on the island of Tierra del Fuego (the "Land of Fire" - a strange name because it is very, very cold down there). Santiago is the capital of Chile and is 2,000 km north. Patagonia is the flat, desert region of Argentina that spreads north towards Buenos Aires.

    The stunning Caribbean islands of Caye Caulker, Half Moon Caye and Ambergris Caye belong to which country?The Americas South of Mexico

      Belize. Some of the world's finest diving is off Belize - indeed, the reef is the world's second longest (behind the Great Barrier Reef).

    Only one nation has Dutch as its official language. Which one?The Americas South of Mexico

      Suriname. Suriname's capital, Paramaribo, is a fine example of colonial Dutch architecture.

    Off which South American country would you find the island of Isla Grande?The Americas South of Mexico

      Brazil. Roughly in between Sao Paulo and Rio, Isla Grande is an "eco-island" of over 100 beautiful beaches. All vehicles are banned and there is a quite wonderful atmosphere.

    What are the only mainland South American countries not to border Brazil?The Americas South of Mexico

      Ecuador and Chile. Brazil is almost as large as all the other countries put together!

    In what country would you find the ancient ruin of Tikal and the old colonial capital of Antigua?The Americas South of Mexico

      Guatemala. Tikal was a Mayan city built deep within the jungle - a amazing site! Antigua is a beautiful town, exhibiting fine Spanish architecture and is also the primary venue for foreign students wishing to learn Spanish.

    What was the largest city in South America in 2003?Traveling South America

      Sao Paulo. Sao Paulo had about 22 million people, but it is difficult to know for sure because there are so many homeless people. Rio had 14 million people, Buenos Aires 12 million, and Lima 9 million.

    Which spectacular waterfalls are located near the border of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay?Traveling South America

      Iguacu Falls. Iguacu Falls are located on the Iguacu River, and soon flow into the Parana River. In local language, Iguacu means "Great Waters." The falls are made of more than 200 separate waterfalls, making it the place with the most waterfalls in the world.

    Machu Picchu is a great lost city in the mountains of Peru. Which civilization built it?Traveling South America

      Inca. Machu Picchu was built literally on top of a mountain. It is all made of stone which was carried from elsewhere on the mountain. Hundreds of terraces line the mountain, making it easier for the Incas to climb and farm.

    Which famous scientist came up with the theory of evolution while visiting the Galapagos Islands?Traveling South America

      Darwin . Darwin's controversial book, "The Origin of Species", was the one of the first to suggest that living things evolved from a common ancestor, and weren't just created in seven days.

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