Ways to use this list
- Language check: spin and say which language most people speak there; Brazil, Guyana and Suriname catch people out.
- Flag colours: spin a country and name the colours of its flag before anyone draws it.
- Animal research: find one animal that lives in the country you spin, such as the llama in Peru or the capybara in Brazil.
- Spanish lesson: press Latin America, spin, and say "Quiero visitar…" with the country name.
- Capital match: press Capitals, spin a city and race to point to its country on the map.
- Andes check: spin and say whether the Andes run through that country. Seven of the twelve have them, from Venezuela down to Chile and Argentina.
Press Spin the wheel, tap the game or press the Space bar. Change the list in the box as you
like: add your own, delete what doesn't suit you, or write *2 after an entry to give it double the
chance. The game buttons switch the same list to a duck race, hat, claw machine and more.
The full list (12 entries)
- Argentina – Buenos Aires
- Bolivia – Sucre (government in La Paz)
- Brazil – Brasília
- Chile – Santiago
- Colombia – Bogotá
- Ecuador – Quito
- Guyana – Georgetown
- Paraguay – Asunción
- Peru – Lima
- Suriname – Paramaribo
- Uruguay – Montevideo
- Venezuela – Caracas
Questions people ask
How many countries are in South America?
Twelve independent countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela. French Guiana is also on the continent, but it is part of France rather than a country of its own.
What is the difference between South America and Latin America?
South America is a continent. Latin America is a cultural region: the countries of the Americas where Spanish, Portuguese or French is the main language, which adds Mexico, six Central American countries, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Press Latin America for those 20; Guyana and Suriname are not part of it.
Which is the largest country in South America?
Brazil is the largest by area and by population, covering almost half of the continent. Suriname is the smallest, and Bolivia and Paraguay are the only two countries with no coastline.
What is the capital of Bolivia?
Bolivia's constitution names Sucre as the capital, but the government and parliament work in La Paz. The list shows Sucre, the same choice as our capital city generator.
What languages are spoken in South America?
Spanish is the main language in nine countries, Portuguese in Brazil, English in Guyana and Dutch in Suriname. Indigenous languages matter too: Guarani is official alongside Spanish in Paraguay, Quechua and Aymara have official status in Peru and Bolivia, and Bolivia recognises dozens more.
Which South American countries does the equator cross?
Three: Ecuador, Colombia and Brazil. Ecuador is named after it, since "ecuador" is Spanish for equator, and a monument north of Quito called Mitad del Mundo, the middle of the world, marks the line.