South America is a continent rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. South America offers diverse landscapes and experiences, from the lush Amazon rainforest to the towering Andes Mountains.
This article will explore some interesting facts about South America that you may not have known.
Interesting South America Facts:
1. South America is the fourth largest continent:
Covering an area of 17.8 million square kilometers, South America is the fourth largest continent in the world. It is surpassed only by Asia, Africa, and North America.
2. The Amazon rainforest covers more than half of South America:
The Amazon rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest in the world and covers an area of approximately 6.7 million square kilometers. It is home to over 10 million species of plants, animals, and insects.
3. South America has the world’s highest waterfall:
Angel Falls, located in Venezuela, is the highest waterfall in the world, with a height of 979 meters. It was named after Jimmy Angel, an American aviator who discovered the falls in 1933.
4. South America is home to the world’s highest capital city:
La Paz, the capital city of Bolivia, is the world’s highest capital city at an elevation of 3,650 meters above sea level.
5. Machu Picchu is one of the most visited tourist attractions in South America:
Machu Picchu, located in Peru, is one of South America’s most visited tourist attractions. It is a 15th-century Inca citadel and was built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti.
6. South America is the birthplace of the Tango:
The Tango originated in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in the late 19th century. It is a sensual dance that has since become popular around the world.
7. South America has the world’s longest mountain range:
The Andes Mountains run the entire length of the western coast of South America, spanning over 7,000 kilometers. They are the longest mountain range in the world.
8. South America has the world’s largest river:
The Amazon River is the largest in the world by volume, with a flow rate of approximately 209,000 cubic meters per second.
9. South America is home to the world’s driest desert:
The Atacama Desert, located in Chile, is the driest in the world. Some areas of the desert have not received rainfall for over 400 years.
10. South America has the world’s largest salt flat:
The Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia is the world’s largest salt flat. It covers an area of over 10,000 square kilometers and is a popular tourist destination.
11. South America has the world’s largest rainforest:
The Amazon rainforest is the largest in the world, covering an area of approximately 6.7 million square kilometers.
12. South America has the highest commercially navigable lake:
Lake Titicaca, located on the border of Bolivia and Peru, is the highest commercially navigable lake in the world at an elevation of 3,812 meters above sea level.
13. South America is home to the world’s largest rodent:
The capybara is the largest rodent in the world and is found in South America. It can weigh up to 66 kilograms and grow to be over 1.3 meters in length.
14. South America has the world’s largest species of ant:
The leafcutter ant, found in the rainforests of South America, is the largest species of ant in the world. Some colonies can contain over 8 million ants.
15. South America has the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall:
While Angel Falls is the highest waterfall in the world, it is not uninterrupted. That title goes to Tugela Falls, located in South Africa.
However, South America is home to Colombia’s highest uninterrupted waterfall, Salto del Tequendama, which drops 157 meters into the Bogotá River.
16. South America has a diverse array of languages:
South America is home to many different languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, French, Dutch, English, and indigenous languages such as Quechua, Aymara, Guarani, and Mapudungun.
17. South America has a rich mining history:
South America is home to many of the world’s largest mineral deposits, including copper, gold, silver, iron ore, and lithium. Countries such as Chile, Peru, and Brazil have a long mining history.
18. South America has the world’s largest Carnival celebration:
Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival is the largest Carnival celebration in the world, with over 2 million people taking to the streets each day during the festival. It is a celebration of music, dance, and culture that lasts for several days.
19. South America has a diverse range of music styles:
South America is home to many different styles of music, including salsa, samba, tango, reggaeton, and cumbia. Each country has its own unique musical traditions and influences.
20. South America is home to the world’s largest flying bird:
The Andean condor, found in the Andes Mountains of South America, is the largest flying bird in the world. It can have a wingspan of up to 3.2 meters and weigh up to 15 kilograms.
21. South America has a rich history of indigenous cultures:
South America has a long history of indigenous cultures, with many different groups living in the region for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans.
Today, indigenous peoples comprise a significant portion of the population in many South American countries.
22. South America has a diverse range of ecosystems:
South America has diverse ecosystems, including the Amazon rainforest, the Andes Mountains, the Atacama Desert, the Patagonian Steppe, and the Galapagos Islands. Each ecosystem has its own unique flora and fauna.
23. South America has a rich literary tradition:
South America has produced many great writers, including Gabriel García Márquez, Jorge Luis Borges, and Pablo Neruda. These writers have had a significant impact on literature and culture around the world.
24. South America is home to the world’s largest rodent:
The capybara in South America is the world’s largest rodent. It can weigh up to 66 kilograms and grow to be over 1.3 meters in length.
25. South America has a diverse range of cuisine:
South American cuisine varies greatly from country to country, with each country having its own unique culinary traditions. Some popular dishes include ceviche, empanadas, churrasco, and feijoada.
26. South America has a rich history of soccer:
South America has a long and rich soccer history, with many of the world’s greatest players hailing from the region.
Countries like Brazil and Argentina are known for their soccer prowess and have won multiple World Cups.
27. South America is home to the world’s largest swimming pool:
The San Alfonso del Mar resort in Chile is home to the world’s largest swimming pool, measuring over 1 kilometer long and containing over 250 million liters of water.
28. South America is home to the world’s driest desert:
Located in Chile, the Atacama Desert is the driest in the world. Some areas of the desert have not seen rainfall in over 400 years.
29. South America has the largest river by volume:
The Amazon River in South America is the largest in the world by volume. It has a total length of over 6,400 km and discharges more water than any other river worldwide.
30. South America has the highest navigable lake in the world:
Lake Titicaca, located on the border of Peru and Bolivia, is the highest navigable lake in the world. It sits at an elevation of over 3,800 meters and is a popular tourist destination.
31. South America has the largest salt flat in the world:
Located in Bolivia, the Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat in the world, covering an area of over 10,000 square kilometers. It is a popular destination for tourists and photographers.
32. South America has the world’s southernmost city:
Ushuaia, located in Argentina, is the southernmost city in the world. It is located on the island of Tierra del Fuego and is known for its stunning natural beauty.
33. South America has a rich tradition of dance:
South America is known for its lively and colorful dance traditions, including samba, tango, salsa, and cueca. Each country has its own unique dance styles and traditions.
34. South America is home to the world’s largest snake:
The anaconda, found in the Amazon rainforest, is the world’s largest snake. It can grow to be over 8 meters in length and weigh over 200 kilograms.
35. South America has a rich tradition of street art:
Cities like Buenos Aires, São Paulo, and Bogotá are known for their vibrant street art scenes. Many artists use the city’s walls as their canvas, creating colorful and thought-provoking works of art.
36. South America has a rich tradition of football:
Football, or soccer as it is known in the United States, is a beloved sport in South America. The region has produced many great players, including Pelé, Diego Maradona, and Lionel Messi.
37. South America is home to the world’s largest rainforest:
The Amazon rainforest, located in South America, is the largest in the world. It is home to millions of plant and animal species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth.
38. South America has a rich tradition of storytelling:
Indigenous communities in South America have a long tradition of storytelling, passing down myths and legends from generation to generation. Many of these stories reflect the region’s rich cultural and natural history.
39. South America has a diverse range of landscapes:
South America has diverse landscapes, from the Andes Mountains to the Amazon rainforest to the beaches of Rio de Janeiro. Each country has its own unique natural beauty.
40. South America is home to the world’s largest rodent:
The capybara in South America is the world’s largest rodent. It can weigh up to 66 kilograms and grow to be over 1.3 meters in length.
In this article, we learned 40 amazing facts about South America. Keep learning!
I’m a former teacher with a background in child development and a passion for creating engaging and educational activities for children. I strongly understand child development and know how to create activities to help children learn and grow. Spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and volunteering in my community.
