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Facts about South America help students learn about one of the 7 continents of our planet. Known for housing the Amazon Rainforest, 12 sovereign countries, multiple river basics, and a rich history, this content has a lot to offer. Additionally, South America is also a hub of biodiversity, with countless species of flora and fauna found nowhere else. Learning information and interesting things about South America offers students a deeper understanding. In this blog, you will read more interesting facts about South America for students.
Table of Contents
10 Interesting Facts About South America
From its geographical details to its culture, South America is a land of incredible diversity. It offers a rich cultural heritage, allowing students to learn more about its history.
1. South America is the fourth largest continent in the world.
2. It is triangular in shape.
3. There are 12 countries in South America including Brazil, Chile, and Venezuela.
4. With a population of about 201 million, Brazil is the biggest country in South America.
5. The general weather of South America ranges from hot to humid.
6. The Amazon, the world’s largest rainforest, is located in South America. It is also known as the ‘Lungs of the Earth’.
7. Located in South America, The Amazon, is the second-longest river in the world.
8. Some of your favorite foods such as peanuts, potato, chocolate, and pineapple originated from South America.
9. Walt Disney’s animated film Encanto is set in Colombia, one of the biggest countries in South America.
10. Paraguay and Bolivia are the two countries in South America that are bordered by land and have no seaside.
Also Read: Colonialism in Latin America: History, Timeline and Facts
Important Facts About South America
South America experiences various climates, speaks different languages, and houses diverse ecosystems. It is a blend of ancient remnants and urban settlements.
1. Spanish is the most spoken language in South America.
2. South America consists of Spanish-Portuguese and French-speaking countries of the Caribbean, South, and Central America.
3. Portuguese, the official language of Brazil, is the second most spoken language in South America.
4. South America can be categorised into 3 physical regions- mountains, river basins, and coastal plains.
5. There are 3 important river basics in South America including the Amazon, Paraguay, and Orinoco.
6. Suriname is the smallest country in South America.
7. South America is home to many endangered animals including jaguars.
8. The five most populous cities in South America are Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Bogota and Lima.
9. Popular tourist attractions in South America include Macchu Picchu in Peru, Angel Falls in Venezuela, the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil, and the Galapagos islands of Ecuador.
10. The Caribbean Sea covers it from the northwest and north, the Atlantic Ocean from the northeast, east, southeast, and the Pacific Ocean from the west.
Also Read: 17+ Continent-wise Interesting Facts About Countries
Weird Facts About South America
Now that you have read some interesting facts about South America, let’s take a look at some of its weird fun facts.
1. South America was once populated by Native Americans, most of which have been wiped out due to smallpox.
2. The Spanish and the Portuguese were the first Europeans to explore and colonise South America.
3. Venezuela and Colombia were the first two independent countries in South America.
4. The economies of South American countries vary in terms of agriculture, fisheries, husbandry, and mineral resources.
5. Located in South America, the Andes is the world’s largest mountain range.
6. It is connected to North America through the Isthmus of Panama.
7. South America is home to the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall, Angel Falls.
8. Its major mineral resources are silver, copper, iron ore, tin, gold, and petroleum.
9. South America’s Atacama Desert, located in Chile, is the driest place on Earth.
FAQs
Some unique facts about South America include that it is the fourth largest continent, it is triangular in shape, it experiences hot to humid weather, and lastly, there are 12 countries in South America.
Apart from being the 4th largest continent, South America is renowned for its Amazon Rainforest, Andes Mountains, and Iguazu Falls. It’s rich in culture, vibrant festivals, and diverse wildlife. Some of its top tourist destinations include Machu Picchu, Christ the Redeemer, Iguazu Falls, Parque National Natural Tayrona, and Cartagena.
It is believed that South America is older than 3 billion years. Some of its oldest rocks were found in Sao Francisco and date back to 3.4 billion years.
Three important facts about South America include that it experiences hot and humid weather, it has 12 sovereign countries, and lastly, Spanish is the most spoken language in South America.
The continent of South America has numerous tourist attractions for international tourists to explore its culture and history. Some of the top sights include Machu Picchu, Iguazu Falls, Easter Island, Torres del Paine National Park, and Huaca Pucllana Site Museum.
Interesting Reads
Hope you enjoy reading these interesting facts about South America. If you want to know more about topics like this, then visit our Interesting Facts and General Knowledge page!