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From Academic Kids

Uruguay has a number of local musical forms. The most distinctive ones are candombe, an Afro-Uruguayan percussion-based form, and murga, a form of musical theatre, which both occur yearly during the Carnival period. There is also milonga, a folk guitar and song form deriving from Spanish traditions and related to similar forms found in many Hispanic-American countries. Uruguay is also known for its tango; the famed tango singer Carlos Gardel is rumoured to have been from the Uruguayan town of Tacuarembó.

The popular music of Uruguay, which focuses on rock, jazz and many other Western forms, frequently makes reference to the distinctly Uruguayan sounds mentioned above. The group Los Shakers, 1960s imitators of The Beatles, deserve a special mention as the band that kickstarted the Argentinean rock scene. Also, cumbia, a music style popular throughout most of Central and South America is widely enjoyed by the Uruguayan people, particularly in the rural areas.

Folk music (Música típica)

Candombe

Main article: Candombe

Candombe originates from the Rio de la Plata, where African slaves brought their dances and percussion music. The word tango then referred to the traditional drums and dances, as well as the places where dancing occurred. Candombe rhythms are produced by drum ensembles, known as , which include dozens of drummers and feature three drum sizes: tambor repique, tambor chico and tambor piano).

Popular candombe musicians include Hugh Fattoruso and Rubén Rada. Fattoruso has been a longtime part of both the Uruguayan and Latin American music scene, including as a member of rock band Los Shakers, and swing band The Hot Blowers, as well as Milton Nascimento's Latin jazz group, Opa.

Milonga

Main article: Milonga

The milonga was a South American style of song that was popular in the 1870s. The milonga was derived from an earlier style of singing known as the payada de contrapunto.

The song was set to a lively 2/4 tempo, and often included musical improvisation. Over time, dance steps and other musical influences were added, eventually giving rise to the tango. Milonga music is still used for dancing, but the milonga dancing of today is derivative of tango.

Murga

Main article: Murga

Murga is a kind of Montevidean musical theater for Carnival celebrations. A traditional murga group is comprised of a chorus and three percussionists and this is the type of murga performed on stages at Carnival. The singers perform in harmony using up to five vocal parts. Vocal production tends to be nasal and loud with little variation in volume. The percussion instruments, derived from the European military band, are the bombo (a shallow bass drum worn at the waist and played horizontally), redoblante (snare drum) and platillos (cymbals). The two most important pieces of the performance are the opening song ( saludo) and the exit song ( retirada or despedida). These get played on the radio during the Carnival period and some of them, such as the Saludo Araca La Cana 1937, are cherished by Uruguayans as cultural icons.

Popular music

Canto popular

Main article: Canto popular

Canto popular ( popular song), which arose around 1975, eschewed contemporary instrumentation, including electric instruments, allowing only native styles and rhythms. This can be compared to pan-Latin singer-songwriter developments like nueva canción, nueva trova and tropicalismo. Daniel Viglietti was by far the most important Uruguayan exponent of canto popular; his song "A Desalambrar" became an international popular classic. Canto popular peaked in about 1977.

Uruguayan artists involved in canto popular included Los Eduardos, Los Que Cantaban, Universo, Carlos Benavides, Carlos Maria Fossatti, Eduardo Darnuchans, Anibal Sampayo, Marks Velázquez, Alfred Zitarrosa, José Carbajal ("El Sabalero"), Los Olimareños and Hector Numa Moraes.

Uruguayan rock

Main article: Uruguayan rock

Rock and roll first broke into Uruguayan audiences with the arrival of British band The Beatles in the early 1960s. A wave of bands appeared in Montevideo, including Los Shakers and Los Mockers, both of whom became major figures in the so-called Uruguayan Invasion of Argentina. With the coming of the military dictatorship in 1973, the Uruguayan rock scene effectively died; since the mid-1980s it has resurged.

Uruguayan tango

Main article: Uruguayan tango

The modern field of tango music and dance arose Buenos Aires, Argentina as well as Montevideo, Uruguay. One of the most well-known tangos in the world, " La Cumparsita", was written by Uruguayan composer Gerardo Mattos Rodríguez. Modern tango musicians include Hugo Díaz, Miguel Villasboas, Marino Rivero, Raul Montero, Elsa Moran, Luis di Matteo and Julio Brum.

Classical music

Well-known modern composers of European classical music include Hector Tosar, Coriún Aharonián, León Biriotti, Renée Pietrafesa Bonnet and Eduardo Bértola. The modern conductors Gisèle Ben-Dor and Carlos Kalmar are also renowned in their field.

There is a Uruguayan Symphony Orchestra.

Musical festivals

Music festivals in Uruguay include the Liceal Festival) [www.jmi.net/jminews/33/].

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Uruguay has a number of local musical forms. The most distinctive ones are candombe, an Afro-Uruguayan percussion-based form, and murga, a form of musical theatre, which both occur yearly during the Carnival period. There is also milonga, a folk guitar and song form deriving from Spanish traditions and related to similar forms found in many Hispanic-American countries.

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Candombe

The history of candombe in Uruguay is related to the arrival of African slaves to the country, who maintained their traditions and musical rhythms. Nowadays, candombe is one of the most typical rhythms in the country, and one of the most popular traditions in the whole society. Candombe is traditionally played and danced in the streets, like a parade, with three different drums ( chico, piano and repique), and different characters dancing specific choreographies.

Payada

This is a poetic, musical form that was originated by gauchos-men that worked the countryside of Uruguay and Argentina. Their way of life paid great importance to their culture of music, dance, and poetry. It is one of the first traditional styles, from which milonga and tango were later created. In the payada, two payadores would perform a verbal duel, with guitars, in which each would sing verses enveloping an idea that established a poetic dialogue with the other.

Milonga

The milonga incorporated elements of the payada with African rhythms, like candombe, that would later all integrate into tango. The themes of the songs, with the characteristic guitar, would center on the daily life of gauchos, or in more philosophical and moral issues about personal life. The main difference between Uruguayan and Argentinian milonga is that the Argentinian doesn't incorporate African rhythms so evidently, as it didn't have any influence from the strictly Uruguayan candombe.

Tango

Tango is a music and dance style that originated in the port cities of Montevideo and Buenos Aires. Its musical origins are a mix of African (candombe), Latin American (milonga), and European influences, creating an entirely separate and independent fusion. The lyrics of the songs are usually about love, and include a lot of slang that originated in the working class. Nowadays, tango is iconic to the whole of Uruguay, not just its working class, and can be danced in special tango clubs and bars, and seen in shows.

Pericón

Pericón is originally from Uruguay, and is danced in some regions of Argentina as well. It was created by the Uruguayan musician Gerardo Grasso in 1887. The dance consists of eight interdependent couples, who dance a basic step and then perform certain figures with their dance at the shout of "Aura!" The best-known figure is the pabellón, where couples hold each other by their arms, make a circle, and hold a handkerchief on top of their heads, always keeping the rhythm of the music. These handkerchiefs are intercalated blue and white colors, like the Uruguayan flag.

Malambo

This is a dance that is attributed to the gauchos and the African slaves alike; it was considered the typical dance of both communities, in Uruguay and Argentina. Traditionally, it is danced by men and without a couple, but in pairs, each taking turns. While one dances, the other man waits, ducking, and observing. The audience, back then and nowadays, remains enchanted by the dancer who stomps, claps, arches his legs, crosses the knees and feet, and jumps as if gravity didn't apply.

Cumbia

Nowadays, cumbia is the most danced musical genre in Uruguay. Originally from the Caribbean, this music extended throughout the continent producing variations in every country. The result in Uruguay is very similar to the one in Argentina, where cumbia was traditionally danced and produced by the working class and now is enjoyed by the whole society. There is even a sub-genre of 'rich cumbia' that emerged very recently as very wealthy people started forming cumbia bands and changing the genre.

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7 Traditional Uruguayan Dances You Should Know About

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The history of candombe in Uruguay is related to the arrival of African slaves to the country, who maintained their traditions and musical rhythms. Nowadays, candombe is one of the most typical rhythms in the country, and one of the most popular traditions in the whole society.

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List includes: Chivito, Pancho, Tannat (Uruguay), Dulce de leche, Martín Fierro.

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Uruguay is a country that loves beef. It is common to see barbecues and asados in various parks on weekends and holidays. However, it is undeniable the contribution to the cuisine of the wave of immigrants, Spaniards, Italians.

That mixture of recipes can be noticed in any corner of the Uruguayan geography, to the point that many of its dishes are simply replaced by some European ingredients, for some local ones, turning them later into their representative dishes.

Some of these dishes are listed below.

Capetelis a la Caruso is a dish invented in Uruguay in the '50s. It is pasta in the shape of small hats, filled with a kind of sauce called Caruso that resembles béchamel sauce.

Its preparation consists of cooked ham, milk, cheese, and mushrooms. Still, the distinctive touch, which differentiates it from bechamel sauce, is a meat sauce concentrate created by the Italian Raimondo Monti in the middle of the 20th century. The dish's name is in honor of Enrico Caruso, a renowned Italian tenor who visited Uruguay in 1917.

It is evident the strong Italian influence of Italian gastronomy. However, the Caruso sauce, over the years, became a classic of Uruguayan cuisine. Its popularity has transcended borders as it is well known in Brazil and Argentina and in most of Latin America.

The chivito is an exuberant sandwich, representative of Uruguayan cuisine, created in the '40s. This dish consists of beef tenderloin, lettuce, egg, bacon, mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, and ham. It is usually served with French fries and dressed with mayonnaise.

It is precisely the meat that is the central ingredient of chivito, thanks to its quality. Uruguay is one of the most important exporters of this product worldwide. The creation of this dish is attributed to Antonio Carbonaro, owner of a renowned restaurant in Uruguay.

For Uruguayans, there is no predetermined time to eat chivito. Any time is an excellent time to enjoy this sandwich in any of its versions. The chivito al pan is the original recipe that we have already described,

The chivito al plato has all the ingredients but is served without bread, while the chivito canadiense shares the same ingredients. But is accompanied with French fries, Russian salad, sautéed onion, and other garnishes. However, all versions are very popular among the Uruguayan population.

Uruguayan beef is of world-renowned excellence. For this reason, dishes made with this product are highly recommended. The Uruguayan asado is one of them. It is the rib of the cow that is cut transversely, cooked on the grill, over the coals. The entrails are also cooked along with some sausages.

This famous roast is usually accompanied by an equally popular sauce: chimichurri sauce. It is composed of parsley, vinegar, garlic, oregano, lemon juice, salt, and ground chili, although this recipe has variations. It is ideal for spreading on the meat. Mixed salad, french fries or Russian salad are ideal for this asado.

The gauchos used to prepare the asado on the ground in the past. Then it was a rural meal with which they supplied themselves with the necessary energy to do the difficult jobs of the time. But, in the middle of the last century, it became popular all over Uruguay until it became part of the culinary customs of that country.

In Uruguay, where the number of cattle exceeds the number of people, it is a festive moment when this dish is made. It is the perfect excuse for family or friends gatherings. While the meat is cooking, chats on a wide variety of topics take place and serve to strengthen bonds with loved ones.

Some people expect their portion of asado to be juicy, others prefer it well done. But either way, it is all about that affection, that warmth that we receive from our loved ones in those moments.

Photo: www.puntadeleste.com

Pizza a caballo is a pizza served with fainá on top. Fainá, in turn, is a thin tortilla that is prepared with chickpea flour, salt, olive oil, and pepper. It results from a fusion between Italian gastronomy and Uruguayan food, which originated in the middle of the 20th century. At first, they were offered separately, but it became popular to eat them together at some point.

In 1830, with the Uruguayan independence also came the pizzerias with the recipes of this product, which was elaborated in wood-fired ovens. Nowadays, this food has become so popular that more than 400 formal establishments throughout Uruguay.

Today, Uruguayan pizzas follow Italian recipes. They are made with sausages, mushrooms, mozzarella, or anchovies, among the most common ingredients. But, being a local invention, the pizza on horseback always stands out.

Figazza is another result of Uruguayan ingenuity. It is prepared with pizza dough, topped with onions and peppers, but without sauce. A diet version, if you will. One of the variants of the fainá is called fainá de orillo. This is a little thinner and crispier than the original version.

Tortas fritas are one of the most traditional desserts in Uruguay. According to historians, this recipe was brought by the Spaniards and Arabs who settled in Rio de la Plata. In Germany, where it originated, it is called Kreppel.

It is a simple preparation consisting of wheat flour, fat, water, and salt. The dough must be rolled out until it is 1 cm thick. Then circular or triangular cuts are made, according to taste, and then they are fried in oil.

These cakes are sprinkled with sugar and served hot; dulce de leche can also be spread on them. It is very common to accompany this food with mate since it helps in the digestive process, being a hot drink.

The origin of these cakes dates back to when the gauchos worked for days on end and only carried some flour and salt with them. It is said that the peasant women used the water from the rains to prepare them. Later they would improvise a fire in the field where they would fry them.

That is why it is customary to eat them in times of rain to preserve the ancestral custom.

Uruguayan sponge cakes are basically buns in different shapes, made with flour, yeast, salt, fat, and sugar. About its origin, it is said that the sponge cake is the result of the fusion of Spanish and French bakeries and that they arrived in Uruguay with the wave of European immigrants from 1860 onwards.

The most popular are: the croissant (which comes from the French croissant) sweet or salty, the margarita is a version of the sweet croissant but has a circular shape with filling in the center; the sweet cookie, these can have cylindrical or cubic shapes and are covered with sprinkled sugar or caramel; and the bread with fat that are salty biscuits. All of these biscuits have miniature versions each.

Bizcochos are an Uruguayan tradition. It is the perfect snack to accompany it with a mate while chatting with some friends. They are also usually eaten during breakfast or at any time of the day. It is best to wait until one of the bakeries opens early in the morning to enjoy them warm, fresh from the oven.

The Chajá dessert is a sponge cake with three layers that are spread with dulce de leche, one of the layers is covered with whipped cream, another with meringue with pieces of peaches. The last one is topped with another layer of whipped cream, pieces of peaches, meringue and cherries as an ornament.

Its name is due to a typical bird of the Southern Cone, which has a copious plumage similar to the cover with which the preparation is carried out. Chajá is usually eaten in considerable quantities because it is a fairly light dessert despite its appearance. It is not cloying, nor is it heavy.

Orlando Castillo, the owner of one of the most famous confectioneries in Uruguay, was the creator of this dessert in 1927. Today, his creation has some variations such as strawberries instead of peaches. Like all desserts, it is usually served after a meal, but many Uruguayans eat it at any time of the day.

Although the original recipe is a mystery, this dessert has become so popular that it can be found in almost any confectionery in Uruguay.

Milanesa a la napolitana is a very common dish in Uruguay that is also frequently consumed in Argentina. Italian gastronomic culture had a strong presence in the Southern Cone at the beginning of the last century.

Its preparation is simple: slices of veal are salted and peppered, then breaded with egg and breadcrumbs and fried in oil. Once cooked, add a slice of mozzarella cheese, a slice of ham, and on top of it. But the Neapolitan sauce is prepared with oregano, salt, and tomatoes. This is baked in the oven for a few minutes.

This dish, which is usually served for lunch, can be accompanied by Russian salad, rice, and/or vegetables. It is a very recurrent dish on the menu of Uruguayan restaurants, as well as in most homes.

It is another contribution of the Italian community, who decided to try their luck in Uruguayan lands during the colonial era.

The Olympic sandwich, crumb sandwich, or simply sandwich is prepared with slices of crumb bread, filled with mayonnaise, boiled eggs, ham slices, tomatoes, lettuce, and peppers.

Some of the sandwich ingredients may vary to enhance certain flavors, such as the toppings or the type of cheese. It is a sort of snack while waiting for lunch, it is also a great companion when watching a soccer game. The sandwich also works as a snack at parties and meetings.

It is a dish that is eaten cold, it is straightforward to prepare and, because of its ingredients, children love it. Some say that its name originated in 1950, when the Uruguayan soccer team defeated Brazil 2-1 in the Maracana stadium, in the final of the World Cup. Although the Maracanazo is a historical event, it is not entirely clear that the Olympic Sandwich was named after that event.

The pamplona is a classic of Uruguayan gastronomy. It is a rolled chicken fillet stuffed with bacon, mozzarella, bell peppers, cooked ham, and olives. To cook them, it is customary to wrap them in a maya. The steak can also be pork or beef.

It is one of the options that have a greater presence in the menus of the different Uruguayan restaurants. Experts in the matter, affirm that this dish was born in the '60s, thanks to the creativity of a cook from the city of Florida. At that time, he used veal with the same stuffing, then he took a slice of pork to wrap it before roasting it. The result is the delicacy that Uruguayans have enjoyed for a few generations.

Pamplonas are usually cooked on the grill but can also be baked. They are then pan-fried to give them that golden brown touch. According to taste, this dish is served in slices and accompanied with green salad or pasta. During the month of March, in Punta del Este, the Pamplona and Chivito festivities take place. A culinary experience not to be missed.

Some people say that in Uruguay, there are more cows than people. Although it may be a small joke, statistically, each Uruguayan consumes about 64 kilos of meat per year. Therefore, it is not surprising that beef is present in most dishes.

The climate and the soils from which the cattle obtain their feed have contributed to this product being among the best quality on the planet.

Added to this is the important culinary contribution of Italian, French and Spanish immigrants, who decided to take permanent residence in Uruguay. The result: dishes that have become a source of national pride and are greatly enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

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Uruguay is a country that loves beef. It is common to see barbecues and asados in various parks on weekends and holidays. However, it is undeniable the contribution to the cuisine of the wave of immigrants, Spaniards, Italians.

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With Italian and Spanish influences, the Argentine cuisine is characterized by its variety of meats and in particular, it's beef, as seen in the popularity of Argentinian Steakhouses throughout the world. Grilled veal and pork are also very common.

The sauce that accompanies the meat, the chimichurri, is one of the best-known delights of Argentinian cuisine, and there is no lack of sausages, rich empanadas filled with numerous ingredients or delicious sweet dishes, such as the famous alfajores. Although in Argentina you can find different types of drinks, the most widely consumed is mate, the tea infusion that has become a symbol of the country and whose consumption is a ritual for Argentines.

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Typical food in Argentina - What to eat - Exoticca

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Discover what is the typical food in Argentina to eat when you travel to Argentina

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What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Argentina?

For many people, it's football or tango but for Traveleaters, it's definitely the food. Argentinian food is fantastic, especially if you enjoy eating meat. Argentina is home to world-class beef and some of the tastiest dishes in South America.

There are plenty of reasons to visit this vast country on the southern tip of South America, but if you're the type of traveler lured by the promise of good food, then you may want to check out these 25 traditional dishes on your next trip to Buenos Aires and Argentina.

ARGENTINIAN FOOD QUICK LINKS

If you're planning a trip to Argentina and want to learn more about the cuisine, then you may be interested in going on a food tour.

TOURS

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WHAT IS TRADITIONAL ARGENTINIAN FOOD?

The food in Argentina has been heavily influenced by Spanish and Italian cuisines. This can be attributed to its colonial past and history of immigration. Argentina was a colony of Spain for 300 years and it welcomed 6.6 million immigrants between 1853 and 1955, mostly from Italy and Spain. In fact, Argentina has the second largest number of immigrants in the world, behind only the US.

Dishes like empanadas and puchero are vestiges of Spanish influence while pizza, milanesa, and various pasta dishes were introduced to the Argentine diet by Italian immigrants. So deeply-rooted is the Italian influence on local food and culture that many Argentinians identify themselves as being more European than Latin American, a point of view that doesn't always sit well with their neighbors in South America.

People familiar with traditional Argentine foods know about the country's legendary love for meat, especially beef. Argentina is consistently one of the largest consumers of beef in the world, with the average Argentinian putting away an estimated 129 pounds every year. That sounds like an impossibly high number until you experience an asado.

The Argentinian love for steak can again be traced back to its time as a former Spanish colony. Cattle was first introduced to Argentina by Spanish settlers in 1536. Thanks to the geography of the Pampas lowlands, they multiplied rapidly and became a top food source in Argentina. Today, Argentina is one of just five countries that has more cattle than people.

If you enjoy wine, then you'll be pleased to know that Argentina is the world's fifth largest producer of wine. They're especially known for their Malbec wines, which like their beef, is hardly exported and consumed mostly within the country.

THE BEST IN ARGENTINE CUISINE

This article on the best-tasting Argentine foods has been organized by category to make it easier to digest. Click on a link to jump to any section of the guide.

NATIONAL DISHES

1. Empanada

There's no better way to start this Argentinan food guide than with the humble empanada, a fried or baked pocket of dough stuffed with a savory filling. It comes in dozens of varieties and is popular in the cuisines of many former Spanish colonies like Chile, Belize, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Peru, and the Philippines.

The name empanada stems from the Spanish word empanar, which means "to bread" or "to wrap something in bread". It's a derivative of the Indian samosa and first appeared in the Iberian peninsula sometime during the medieval period. The earliest recipes for empanada date back to the start of the 16th century.

How the empanada came to Argentina isn't entirely clear, but it's believed to have been introduced to the country by immigrants from northern Spain. The early version of Argentine empanada was a large, double-crusted pie that was cut into slices. Over time, it evolved into the single pockets of filled pastry crust that we know and love today.

These days, there are about as many versions of empanada as there are Argentinian cooks but some of the most common varieties are filled with ground beef, chicken, ham and cheese, spinach, and humita. They can be baked (Salta-style) or fried (Tucuman-style) with every region in Argentina having its own distinct style. Here are some of the most delicious empanadas you can try in Argentina.

Empanada Tucumana: Filled with either chicken, mondongo (tripe), or beef along with other ingredients like spring onions, pimento, and vinegar. Tucumán province takes such pride in their empanadas that they play host to the National Empanada Festival in September every year.

Empanada Salteña: Smaller than empanada tucumana and made without any fat or oil. Potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, green onions, red peppers, and ground chili are common fillings.

Empanada Jujeña: Filled with beef, chicken, goat, and llama meat. Peas, onions, garlic, and chili are also common ingredients.

Empanada Cordobesa: A sweeter type of empanada made with white sugar and filled with beef, raisins, potatoes, and olives.

Empanada Entrerriana: Empanada filled with milk-soaked rice.

2. Locro

Locro refers to a traditional meat-and corn-based Argentinian stew that's associated with the native Andean people of South America. It's popular in Argentina and in other countries like Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, and Paraguay.

Like empanada, there are many recipes for locro in Argentina but it's typically made with a variety of vegetables and meat like white hominy, squash, white beans, potatoes, carrots, pork, beef, pancetta, and sausage. The ingredients are simmered in a pot for several hours until a rich, thick consistency is achieved.

In Argentina, locro is a national dish that's near and dear to the hearts of many people. It can be consumed at any time of the year but it becomes especially significant on May 25th when it's made to celebrate the anniversary of the May Revolution.

The May Revolution was a critical turning point in the bid for South American independence. It led to the removal of Spanish rule and the establishment of a local government - the Primera Junta - that would eventually become Argentina.

3. Choripán

If you're a fan of sandwiches, then you're probably going to enjoy choripán, Argentina's answer to the hot dog. Popular in many countries throughout South America like Argentina, Peru, Uruguay, Chile, and El Salvador, it consists of a grilled chorizo sausage served in a crusty bread bun.

Choripán comes in many forms but in Argentina, it's made with a beef or pork sausage sliced down the middle and served in a roll with chimichurri or salsa criolla (onion relish). It's a popular street food dish in Argentina, especially outside football stadiums, and is typically eaten as an appetizer during the preparation of asado.

If you visit the Rio de la Plata region of Argentina, then be sure to try morcipán, a variant of choripán made with morcilla or blood sausage.

4. Milanesa

The milanesa is one of the most delicious examples of the Italian influence on Argentine cuisine. Popular throughout the Americas, it's the South American version of the Italian cotoletta. Its name is derived from Milan's cotoletta alla milanese, a dish brought to South America by Italian immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Milanesas are made with prime slices of beef that are pounded, breaded, and fried. It's similar to the Austrian/ German wiener schnitzel, American chicken fried steak, or Japanese tonkatsu. In Argentina, it's typically made with a lean cut of beef but it can be made with pork, veal, or chicken as well.

Milanesas in Argentina are often served with french fries or mashed potatoes. They can be served as is or topped with tomato sauce and cheese in a variation called milanesa a la napolitana (pictured below). So ingrained are milanesas in Argentinian cuisine and culture that the dish is celebrated every May 3rd during el Día de la Milanesa.

When served with a fried egg on top, the dish is known as milanesa a caballo or "milanesa riding horseback". This is one of the most popular versions of milanesa in Argentina.

5. Asado

Scroll through this Argentine food guide and it becomes clear that Argentinians are no strangers to delicious food. But for many locals, one gastronomic experience stands above the rest - asado. It refers to an Argentinian barbecue that's much more than just your typical barbecue.

Asado means "roasted" in Spanish and refers to an Argentinian meal and style of cooking that features a wide array of grilled meat. Different meats like lamb, pork, and mutton are roasted though beef is preferred. The meats are cooked on a cast iron grill called a parrilla using either a charcoal (parrilla al carbón) or wood (parrilla a leña) burning fire. Smaller pieces of meat are cooked horizontally while larger cuts are roasted vertically or diagonally (pictured below).

The asado tradition in Argentina dates back to the time of the gauchos. These skilled horsemen lived entirely off the land so they survived on the wild cattle that roamed the plains of La Pampa in central Argentina. They ate so much beef that they became masters at slow-roasting meat so it stayed juicy, tender, and very flavorful.

Today, asado in Argentina means so much more than just the meal itself. Similar to South African braai, meats are roasted for hours giving friends and family the opportunity to socialize and enjoy each other's company. Diners typically snack on smaller dishes like empanadas, provoleta with chimichurri, and choripán while waiting for the meats to cook. To Argentinians, asado is a social event and an important symbol of their culture and heritage.

Asado is bound by tradition in Argentina so even the order in which the meat is cooked needs to be respected. Less "noble" parts of the animal like the offal are grilled first while the best parts are saved for last.

Chorizo sausages, morcillas (blood sausage), and achuras (offal) are typically grilled first at an asado along with thin cuts of meat like matambre (flank steak) and entraña (skirt steak).

These are then followed by the choicest cuts like bife de chorizo (sirloin), bife ancho (ribeye), bife de costilla (porterhouse), and lomo (tenderloin). They're slow-cooked to perfection and eaten with chimichurri and salsa criolla along with a variety of salads and side dishes.

If you eat like a bird, then an asado probably isn't for you. Several kilograms of meat are roasted at a typical asado with about 800 grams being apportioned to every man and 600 grams to every woman. ¡Buen provecho!

6. Alfajor

If you have a sweet tooth, then you're going to love alfajores, a must-try Argentinian cookie sandwich popular throughout Latin America, Spain, and the Philippines. It's especially popular in Uruguay, Peru, and Argentina where it's considered a national dish.

Alfajores come in many shapes and sizes but it typically consists of two round shortbread cookies filled with dulce de leche. They're traditionally dusted with powdered sugar but they can be glazed or covered in grated coconut or chocolate as well. Alfajores are so popular in Argentina that the country is estimated to consume over a billion of these delicious cookie sandwiches a year!

Argentina may be the world's largest consumer of alfajores but the title for the world's biggest alfajor goes to Uruguay. According to Guinness World Records, the record-setting cookie measured almost 2 meters in diameter (6.6 ft), 80 centimeters in height (31.5 in), and weighed in at a whopping 464 kilograms (1,023 lbs).

STARTERS / SOUPS / SIDES

7. Humita

Humitas are an ancient Andean food that pre-dates the Hispanic period. They're consumed in many countries throughout South America like Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile. In Argentina, they're common in the Salta and Jujuy regions of northwest Argentina.

Recipes for humitas vary from country to country but in Argentina, they're typically made from a dough consisting of fresh corn, sautéed onions, and spices. Depending on the region, they can be made with other ingredients as well like red peppers, pumpkin, tomatoes, milk, cheese, and spring onions. Like tamales, the dough is wrapped in corn husks and then boiled or steamed.

8. Tamales Salteños

Tamales are a traditional Mesoamerican dish that's popular in the cuisines of many countries throughout Latin America. In Argentina, a version known as tamales salteños is popular in the northwest region of the country, mainly in Salta, Jujuy, and Tucumán.

Tamales salteños are made with fresh corn husks filled with a mixture of corn flour, minced meat, and other ingredients like squash, onions, peppers, garlic, pimentón, and hard-boiled eggs. The corn husks are tied on both ends and then cooked in boiling water.

9. Provoleta

It's pretty clear that Argentinians love grilled meat. As it turns out, they enjoy grilled cheese as well. Provoleta refers to the Argentinian version of provolone cheese. It's a staple side dish at asados and is always eaten grilled, usually with crushed red chili and oregano sprinkled on top.

Provoleta was invented out of a desire to fuse Argentinian and Italian cuisines. It was invented by Don Natalio Alba, a native Calabrian who settled in Argentina and worked in the dairy industry. Because Argentina has a large population of Italian descent, he wanted to introduce a typically Italian dish into the asado, and so was born the Italian version of provolone cheese known as provoleta.

Small discs of provoleta are seasoned with chili and oregano before being placed on the grill. As it cooks, the cheese melts inside but holds its shape. When ready, the provoleta is eaten communally with chimichurri and bread at the start of an asado.

10. Chimichurri

When you think of Argentinian condiments, chimichurri is the first that comes to mind. It refers to an uncooked green sauce ( chimichurri verde) made with finely chopped parsley, minced garlic, oregano, olive oil, and red wine vinegar. It's typically used as a table condiment with grilled meats or as an ingredient that's basted onto meat as it cooks.

This classic Argentinian condiment comes in two versions - chimichurri verde (green) and chimichurri rojo (red). In addition to the standard ingredients like chopped parsley, garlic, and olive oil, chimichurri rojo is made with paprika and sometimes ripe tomatoes and red bell peppers. They impart a savory and spicy kick and give the sauce its characteristic red color.

Like chimichurri verde, chimichurri rojo is often paired with grilled meat and other Argentine dishes like seafood, roasted vegetables, and empanadas.

BREADS

11. Chipa

Chipa refers to a small cheese-flavored roll popular in the cuisines of Paraguay, Bolivia, Brazil, and Argentina. A traditional bread of the indigenous Guaraní people, it's typically eaten for breakfast or as a snack and commonly sold as street food in Argentina.

Traditionally, chipas were made with just cassava flour but the arrival of livestock with the Spanish colonists introduced other ingredients to the recipe like cheese and eggs. Today, you'll find Argentinian chipas made with different types of cheese and fillings like ham, vegetables, or ground meat.

If you ride the bus often in Argentina, then you may find vendors selling warm chipa in large baskets. If you're really hungry, then I suggest buying twelve, because they're chipa by the dozen. Sorry.

Who doesn't love croissants? These light and flaky French pastries are a favorite breakfast item on many tables around the world, including Argentina. Meaning "half moon" in Spanish, medialunas are the Argentinian version of croissants, a soft crescent roll that's slightly smaller and a bit sweeter than the French original.

Medialunas in Argentina come in two traditional varieties - larger versions made with butter and smaller rolls made with lard. Both can be served plain or with a rum and sugar glaze on top.

Medialunas are typically eaten for breakfast or as an afternoon snack with yerba mate. They can be eaten as is or paired with sweet condiments like dulce de leche, jam, or chocolate spread.

MEATS / MAINS

13. Cordero Patagónico al Asador

Traveleaters with a taste for lamb will want to spend time in the provinces of Santa Cruz and Chubut in southern Argentina. Thanks to its favorable climate and abundance of natural grazing pastures, it's home to a thriving sheep population, and subsequently, the best lamb dishes.

Cordero patagónico al asador is a Patagonian specialty of lamb roasted over an open fire. A whole lamb is butterflied and attached to a cross-shaped iron support where it's slow-roasted next to a fire. Known as "a la cruz", it's a cooking method that was devised by gauchos to roast entire carcasses of meat. They'd cook the animal with its skin on (asado con cuero) to keep the meat as juicy as possible.

As the meat cooks, it's basted with a mixture of garlic, salt, water, and various herbs and spices like rosemary, oregano, and bay leaves. The slow-roasting process results in lamb meat that's crispy on the outside and soft and juicy on the inside. It's delicious and an absolute must-try in Argentina.

14. Puchero

Puchero is a Spanish stew that's become popular in the cuisines of many countries like Argentina, Mexico, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Peru. It's essentially the Latin American equivalent to Spanish or Portuguese cozido, but made without colorants like paprika and using whatever local ingredients were available.

In Argentina, puchero is typically made with beef and other ingredients like potatoes, corn, carrots, onions, squash, cabbage, chorizo, pork belly, and bacon. It's a hearty and comforting stew that's usually reserved for the colder months.

15. Fugazza

Fugazza is another Argentinian dish influenced by Italian cuisine. Similar in texture to Genovese focaccia, you can think of it as a type of Argentinian pizza made with a thick sourdough crust and without tomato sauce. It's topped with a copious amount of caramelized onions and oregano and other ingredients like olives, artichokes, and grated parmesan cheese.

Fugazza is said to have been invented by a Genovese-Argentinian pizzaiolo named Juan Banchero sometime in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He sold it from a pizza shop in Buenos Aires bearing his name - Banchero. It's still open to this day.

Be sure to try fugazzetta as well, a variation of fugazza made with mozzarella sandwiched between two layers of dough.

Photo by Neo139, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
16. Ravioles

From the name alone, it's obvious what this next dish is. Ravioles is the Argentinian version of Italian ravioli, a hugely popular pasta dish made with stuffed parcels of thin pasta dough. Like milanesa, it's a type of quickly prepared meal in Argentina that became known collectively as or "short-order dishes".

Pictured below is a plate of ravioles smothered in chimichurri and olive oil.

17. Canelones

Like ravioles, it isn't hard to guess what inspired this next dish. Canelones are the Argentinian equivalent of the Italian cannelloni, a cylindrical type of baked pasta dish filled with various ingredients like ricotta, spinach, and minced beef. It's very similar to the Italian original except its made with crepes instead of pasta sheets.

DESSERTS / DRINKS

18. Dulce de Leche

If you have a fondness for sweets, then you're probably familiar with dulce de leche, the famous Argentinian confection made with caramelized milk. Popular throughout the country and in many parts of Latin America, it's typically used as a filling or spread for pastries like alfajores and torta rogel.

Dulce de leche is made by slowly simmering sugar and milk for several hours until it thickens and turns a rich golden brown color. Milk and sugar are the basic components but other ingredients like vanilla may be added as well.

Dulce de leche is easy on the taste buds and hard not to like. Aside from being used as a filling for alfajores in Argentina, it's also paired with many other pastries and desserts like cakes, churros, flan mixto, waffles, ice cream, and medialunas.

According to legend, this delicious Argentine spread was invented by accident. In 1829, opposing civil war leaders Juan Manuel de Rosas and Juan Lavalle decided to call a truce. Rosas invited Lavalle to his ranch to discuss the terms of the pact. Tired from the journey, Lavalle laid down to rest on a cot where Rosas normally slept.

Meanwhile, one of Rosas' servants was busy preparing lechada, a drink of hot milk and sugar that was usually taken with yerba mate. When the servant went to Rosas' tent to serve the mate, she was startled to find Lavalle sleeping on the cot.

Unaware of the planned meeting between the two leaders, she panicked and alerted the troops to the presence of Lavalle, leaving the lechada unattended on the stove. When she came back, she found the thick and gooey spread we now know today as dulce de leche.

19. Rogel

If you like alfajores, then you're going to love rogel. Also known as torta rogel or alfajor rogel due to its similarity to the beloved cookies, it refers to a traditional Argentinian dessert made with thin layers of crunchy cookie biscuits held together with dulce de leche.

Similar to a mille-feuille, rogel is traditionally made with eight layers of biscuits topped with Italian meringue. What makes this dessert unique is that the cookie dough is made with egg yolks which impart a characteristic crunchiness to the biscuits.

The exact origins of the dish are unclear but one story claims that it was invented by a married couple from Buenos Aires in the 1960s. The woman's name was Rogelia which is where the dessert got its name. Regardless of where it's from, it's a beloved pastry and a common sight at many Argentinian gatherings.

20. Pastelitos Criollos

Pastelitos criollos are deep-fried Argentinian snacks made with puff pastry and a filling of quince (dulce de membrillo) or sweet potato paste (dulce de batata). When submerged in hot oil, the puff pastry separates into many layers which is what gives the snack its characteristic floral appearance. The pastries are fried till crispy and then brushed with a sugar glaze.

Pastelitos criollos are enjoyed year-round but like locro, they gain special significance during the May 25th anniversary of the Argentine Revolution. On May 25, 1810, women selling baskets of pastelitos circulated around the government house in Buenos Aires while people waited for an important announcement to be made. Later that day, a new local government was established, setting Argentina on the path towards independence from Spain.

From that day, pastelitos have become inextricably linked to the anniversary celebrations of the May Revolution.

21. Pionono

A pionono is a type of rolled cake originally from the town of Santa Fe, just west of Granada. It's a thin, soft, and airy sponge cake made with flour, eggs, and sugar. The cake can be filled with any number of ingredients - both sweet and savory - and then rolled up into cylindrical form.

The Spanish version of pionono is a small pastry that doesn't contain any fillings. It's rolled up into a bite-sized cylinder before being drenched with syrup and topped with toasted cream. In Latin American countries however, piononos are larger and filled with a variety of different ingredients.

Dulce de leche, chantilly cream, and sliced fruits are common fillings for Argentine sweet piononos while savory versions are typically filled with tuna, smoked salmon, ham, turkey, cheese, hard-boiled eggs, and olives. The roll is still sweet so savory piononos have an interesting sweet/savory flavor profile Argentinians like to call agri-dulce.

Pictured below is a type of savory pionono filled with a variety of different ingredients. Known locally as arrollado primavera, it's a common sight on holiday tables in Argentina.

22. Panqueque de Dulce de Leche

This simple but comforting dessert is yet another testament to the Argentinians' love for dulce de leche. As its name suggests, panqueue de dulce de leche is a rolled crepe pancake filled with a generous amount of that beloved caramel spread.

23. Flan Mixto

Flan mixto is the Argentinian version of creme caramel or custard flan. It's a popular dessert often made at home or served at Argentinian restaurants, usually with a dollop of whipped cream and dulce de leche.

The flan is delicious enough on its own, but pairing it with dulce de leche and whipped cream is like a sweet and creamy explosion on your taste buds.

24. Postre Vigilante

Postre vigilante is an easy-to-make Argentinian dessert consisting of a thick slice of cheese topped with a jelly-like fruit paste (dulce). Like pastelitos, dulce made from quince or sweet potatoes are commonly used though it can be made with other ingredients as well like elderberry, raspberry, pumpkin, and cactus.

It's said that this dessert was invented in the 1920s by a Buenos Aires cantina frequented by police officers. "Vigilante" was a colloquial word for police officers hence the dessert's name.

25. Mate

Mate is a type of herbal tea made from the leaves of the yerba mate plant. Widely consumed in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, it's made by steeping the leaves of the plant in hot water. When prepared with cold water and ice, it's known as tereré.

The preparation and consumption of yerba mate is steeped in ritual. It's traditionally prepared by filling a hollowed-out gourd or container with dry yerba mate leaves and hot water. When ready, friends and family share the same container and drink from the same wooden or metal straw called a bombilla.

The brewer of the mate passes the gourd to each person, usually in a circle. The recipient gives thanks, takes a sip, and then passes the gourd back to the brewer. The brewer refills the gourd before passing it on to the next person in a clockwise order.

Infused with caffeine, yerba mate is especially popular in the mornings. It's so popular that Argentinians will often gather to drink mate much in the same way that people meet for coffee or tea.

Pro Tip: NEVER stir the mate with the bombilla. This is considered a cultural faux pas in Argentina, one that many foreigners apparently often make.

ARGENTINE FOOD TOURS

It's fun exploring the local cuisine on your own, but if you'd like to really learn about the different foods in Argentina, then you may want to go on a guided tour. Simply put, no one knows Argentine food better than a local so what better way to experience the best of Argentinian cuisine than by going on a food tour?

A knowledgeable guide will take you to the city's best restaurants, markets, and street food stalls and explain all the dishes to you in more detail. Check out Get Your Guide for a list of Argentine food tours in Buenos Aires and in other cities throughout the country.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE FOOD IN ARGENTINA

There are so many reasons to visit Argentina. It's the birthplace of tango and a mecca for football. It's produced global icons like Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, and Eva Perón. Patagonia offers fantastic hiking opportunities while Iguazu Falls is frequently cited for being one of the world's most beautiful waterfalls.

And as evidenced by this list, it's not such a bad destination for food and wine lovers either. Asado may be the most famous but it's just one part of the rich tapestry that is Argentinian cuisine.

Disclosure

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Cover photo by lenyvavsha. Stock images via Depositphotos.

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Argentinian Food: 25 of the Best-Tasting Dishes | Will Fly for Food

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What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Argentina? For many people, it's football or tango but for Traveleaters, it's definitely the food. Argentinian food is fantastic, especially if you enjoy eating meat. Argentina is home to world-class beef and some of the tastiest dishes in South America.

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The way to Argentina's heart is through its asado, or barbecue, also known as parrillada. Don't leave the country without spending a leisurely afternoon beside the warmth of a grill or open fire, feasting on copious grilled meats. This is the national dish, originating from the country's gauchos, or cowboys, who would subsist on the abundant cows dotting the country's plains. Expect to find beef, pork, ribs, sausages, blood sausages and sweetbreads hot off the fire. In Patagonia, look out for a whole lamb or pig roasting over an open flame. Lightly salted, topped with chimichurri and paired with malbec - this is Argentina.

Sample it yourself with our barbecued lamb with sweet mint dressing

2. Chimichurri

A green salsa made of finely chopped parsley, oregano, onion, garlic, chilli pepper flakes, olive oil and a touch of acid, such as lemon or vinegar, chimichurri is the country's go-to condiment.. This tangy, garlickly salsa is sometimes used as a marinade, though most often it's found blanketing grilled meats and heaps of other savoury foods throughout the country.

Sample it yourself - try our steak with chimichurri sauce or bavette with chimichurri sauce, or go veggie with black bean chimichurri salad

3. Provoleta

Argentineans give whole new meaning to grilled cheese with their trademark dish of provoleta. A consequence of the significant Italian immigration to Argentina, provoleta is the country's variant on provolone. Pungent, sharp, sliced discs of the cheese are topped with chilli flakes and herbs, like oregano, then grilled. The nearly melted cheese is served crisp and slightly caramelised on the outside, gooey and smokey on the interior. Top it off with a drizzle of olive oil or a spoonful of chimichurri.

Check out our cheese recipes if you're a sucker for any type of cheese, smelly, oozing or sprinkled on every dish.

4. Dulce de leche

Cows roaming Argentina's expansive grasslands have not only provided the country with phenomenal beef, but also dairy. And it's from condensed milk that Argentina gets one of its culinary treasures, dulce de leche. Loosely translated as 'milk jam', this thick caramel is the result of condensed milk being slowly reduced until sweetened and sticky. Look for it in everything from alfajores and dessert empanadas to another national favourite, helado (ice cream) over which it is liberally drizzled and downed by the kilo.

Sample it yourself, with our salted caramel choc pots, banoffee trifles and melting middle truffles.

5. Alfajores

Argentina is said to be the world's largest consumer of alfajores, crumbly shortbread-like biscuits sandwiching jams, mousses or dulce de leche. Alfajores' roots lie in the Arab world, brought to southern Spain by the Moors. Spaniards later carried the sweets to Argentina - and no one has looked back since. Akin to their national cookie, Argentines indulge in these cylindrical biscuits throughout the day and across the country.

Make these moreish biscuits at home, with our alfajores recipe.

6. Empanadas

Another gift from the Moors to the Spanish and, finally, to the Argentineans, where this hot, cheap and portable meal became popular among the working classes. A sort of South American pasty, empanadas are deep-fried or baked, then filled with a sweet or savoury stuffing, depending on the province. Dessert empanadas are commonly packed with quince jam, sweet potato paste or dulce de leche and sprinkled with cinnamon, sugar or sweet raisins, as is typical in Córdoba. Savoury empanadas are filled with stewed and spiced ground beef, chicken, goat, cheese and/or vegetables, with the markings on the pastry fold identifying the treasures hidden inside.

Sample them yourself... Corn, cheese & chilli empanadas, beef & chorizo empanadas or cabbage & pork empanadas

7. Matambre arrollado

While the thick, slabs of Argentinean meat aren't to be missed, you should opt for a matambre arrollado at least once. This super-slim cut of beef, like a flank steak, is thinly sliced then stuffed with vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, herbs and olives. The meat is rolled around the filling, then boiled, baked or grilled. Matambre translates literally to 'hunger killer' and arrollado as 'to roll-up'. The story goes that these are often the first meats ready on the grill, staving off hunger while waiting for the rest of the asado to catch up.

8. Yerba mate

It was indigenous populations in South America that first used and cultivated yerba mate, prior to European colonisation. A herbal- and caffeine-infused drink, you'll find it filling everything from to-go cups to shallowed-out squash gourds across the country. Leaves from the yerba mate plant are dried, chopped and ground into a powder, or steeped as whole leaves into hot water. Drinking yerba mate is a social practice and the gourd, fitted with a metal straw that doubles as a sieve, is often passed around a group, each person sipping before passing.

9. Choripán

A pre-requisite before any football match, a go-to among taxi drivers and a mainstay at markets and street stalls, choripán is the ultimate Argentinean street food. Made with pork and beef chorizo cooked over charcoal or wood flames, the sausage is grilled, then butterflied down the centre, topped with chimichurri and served between slices of crusty bread. Depending on the province, caramelised onions, pickled aubergines, green peppers and a host of other condiments are also added. Another gaucho tradition, the choripán has experienced a rural-to-urban shift that has placed it firmly on the country's culinary map.

Want to sample something similar? Try our Chicken liver & chorizo open sandwich or chorizo rolls.

10. Carbonada

During the cooler months, carbonada is a staple, stick-to-your-ribs dish. A savoury, meaty, brothy stew, carbonada is made of meat, potatoes (sweet and white), corn on the cob, carrots, peppers, bacon and topped with fruits (ranging from dried apricots and raisins to peaches, pears and green grapes). The stew is spooned into a hollowed-out pumpkin that's placed on the barbecue to cook. Different variants on the carbonada can be found throughout the country and it can even make its way into empanadas, where it takes the form of the ultimate, portable stew.

For something similar, check out our comforting winter stew recipes.
Caitlin Zaino is the founder of The Urban Grocer. She's scouring the globe in search of the world's most cutting-edge food discoveries.
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The way to Argentina's heart is through its asado, or barbecue, also known as parrillada. Don't leave the country without spending a leisurely afternoon beside the warmth of a grill or open fire, feasting on copious grilled meats. This is the national dish, originating from the country's gauchos, or cowboys, who would subsist on the abundant cows dotting the country's plains.

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Approximately 360 species of mammals live within Ecuador's borders. With 130 species, bats take up a good percentage of the mammal pie chart. Of the approximated 360 mammal species, there are almost 20 documented primates and 30 endemic mammals. These numbers are astoundingly high considering the Ecuador's relatively small size.

Overall, Ecuador has the highest number of species per square area in the world, and it is 9 th in the world for species found within a single country. Most of these mammals live in the tropical regions that are more nutrient rich and grow scarcer toward the higher elevations of the Andes.

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Approximately 360 species of mammals live within Ecuador's borders. With 130 species, bats take up a good percentage of the mammal pie chart. Of the approximated 360 mammal species, there are almost 20 documented primates and 30 endemic mammals. These numbers are astoundingly high considering the Ecuador's relatively small size.

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World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal

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The Climate Change Knowledge Portal (CCKP) provides global data on historical and future climate, vulnerabilities, and impacts.

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Climate Change Overview

Country Summary

This page presents high-level information for Venezuela, RB's climate zones and its seasonal cycle for mean temperature and precipitation for the latest climatology, 1991-2020. Climate zone classifications are derived from the Köppen-Geiger climate classification system, which divides climates into five main climate groups divided based on seasonal precipitation and temperature patterns. The five main groups are A (tropical), B (dry), C (temperate), D (continental), and E (polar). All climates except for those in the E group are assigned a seasonal precipitation sub-group (second letter). Climate classifications are identified by hovering your mouse over the legend. A narrative overview of Venezuela, RB's country context and climate is provided following the visualizations.

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World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This page presents high-level information for Venezuela, RB's climate zones and its seasonal cycle for mean temperature and precipitation for the latest climatology, 1991-2020. Climate zone classifications are derived from the Köppen-Geiger climate classification system, which divides climates into five main climate groups divided based on seasonal precipitation and temperature patterns.

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Interesting And Fun Facts About Paraguay

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Interesting And Fun Facts About Paraguay

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Paraguay is one of many nature-endowed countries in the world. This South American country is known for its Parana River, natural beauty, friendly people, and fascinating culture. There are many fun facts about Paraguay that makes it an interesting destination.

Common Facts About Paraguay

Paraguay is sometimes known as "Corazón de América," which translates as "the Heart of America." It sits in the South-central of South America and has an approximate population of 7.3 million.

Despite being landlocked and one of the least visited countries in South America, it actually features some great nature spots. Paraguay has one of the longest rivers in the world, beautiful waterfalls, and rich history. There are several facts about Paraguay that give you an insight into the country.

Historical Facts Of Paraguay

Paraguay Is Over 1000 Years

The Guarani people inhabited the eastern part of Paraguay for at least 1000 years before their Spanish colonials arrived. The Gran Chaco nomads inhabited the western part.

The western and eastern part of the country is known to be divided by the Paraguay River. Those in the eastern part majored in agriculture, while the westerners were more nomadic. The nomads were popular for their warrior traditions, and they only got pacified late in the 19th century.

The first sight of European in the region was in 1516 when Spanish explorers landed in the territory.

In August 1537, Spanish explorer Juan de Salazar de Espinosa established a settlement, "Asuncion," in the region. That settlement eventually became the center of the Spanish colonial province of Paraguay.

A Befriended Parrot

Here's an interesting fact about Paraguay. Rumors have it that the country's name may have originated from a parrot. The country's ancestral Jesuits priests befriended a parrot they named Frank.

For reasons we may never find out, these priests, at one point, turned to Frank and made dinner out of it. Although one caveat to this story is that in the 16th century, a parrot was Paraguay's symbol on maps. So whether it is true or not is still up for debate.

One Of The Deadliest Fire In The World

One of the unfortunate incidents and lesser-known facts about Paraguay is the Ycua Bolanos fire tragedy.

In 2004, the Ycua Bolanos supermarket fire in Asuncion resulted in around 1000 casualties. The fire claimed the lives of at least 300 people (with some reports of over 400 deaths), and more than 500 were injured.

Considering the number of fatalities, it is one of the deadliest ever recorded in the history of the world. Some of the victims are still trying to seek reparation.

War Of The Triple Alliance

The triple alliance war is also known as the Paraguayan war. It was a South American war that lasted about 6 years, from 1864 to 1870.

The war was between Paraguay and the triple alliance (an alliance between Argentina, the Empire of Brazil, and Uruguay). This was the deadliest interstate war in the history of Latin America.

Paraguay sustained large casualties; the exact number is still disputed. They lost men during this war which impacted the country's population ratio.

Ultimately, they were forced to cede disputed territory to Argentina and Brazil. The war started in 1864 due to a conflict between Brazil and Paraguay. The Uruguay war caused the conflict. In 1865, Argentina and Uruguay joined the war against Paraguay, hence the name "War of the Triple Alliance."

Paraguay's Rail Road

The intention to have a railway in Paraguay was conceived in 1856. But this only materialized after 5 years as the first train worked on 14 June 1861. The first journey was from the railway station to the port of Asuncion. Paraguay can claim to have the first railway in South America.

Facts About Paraguay For Tourists

Home Of The Biggest Feline In America (No)

South America is sometimes known for jaguars, but not all countries have them. These are after all the third largest feline in the world after the lion and tiger. One fact about Paraguay is that they cherish jaguars. Paraguay has a lot of jaguars. In fact, Asuncion's Jardin Zoologico (garden zoo) has a refuge designed specifically for jaguars.

Paraguay Jesuit Ruins

Most Latin American nations have different histories attached to the ruins of their colonial masters or ancestors. It's not so different in Paraguay. Paraguay is popular for its Jesuit heritage.

As such one of the main tourist attractions in Paraguay is the Jesuit missions of the Guaranis. The building of this famous heritage landmark commenced in the 17th century and was completed in the 18th century. These ruins are well preserved and embrace five different missions. These ruins are listed as a world heritage landmark by UNESCO.

Parana River

Paraguay is home to the second-largest river in South America. The river rising from the Mato Grosso region in Brazil flows through Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay. It has a total distance covered of 4881 kilometers.

Although it is approximately 1520 kilometers shorter than the longest river in South America (the Amazon river), it is still a sight to behold.

Saltos del Monday

One of Paraguay's natural wonders resides in Ciudad del Este's vicinity. Just a few meters outside the city. The Saltos del Monday is a series of waterfalls with amazing heights and widths of 45 and 120 meters, respectively.

Although it's not particularly easy to get there, this is a great site to visit for tourists. There are spots where you can climb and abseil down the walls if you are an adventurer. But for kneen observers, you can enjoy the river and falls from various viewpoints. No one misses out on the fun.

Encarnacion Carnival

This beautiful aspect of Paraguay's culture is a colorful event in an adaptation of the Rio Carnival. It's an avenue where Paraguayans get to showcase their rich culture and heritage. One cool thing about it is open to everyone.

The Carnival features amazing samba parades, accompanied by many Paraguay dancers and gorgeous costumes. This event takes place for 5 days (typically Saturdays) from January to February every year.

Cultural Facts About Paraguay

A Bilingual Nation

Paraguay, like other South American, have a Spanish heritage. But unlike others, they're one of the few to maintain their native language. One cool fact about Paraguay is that they have two official languages.

Although Spanish is still their official language, Guarani comes first for Paraguayans. However, Jepara (a mixture of both languages) is more prevalent, as many locals mix the two languages while speaking.

No Door Bells

Here's a Paraguay fact you probably didn't know, most of their homes have no doorbells. When people visit, they usually just clap their hands to signal their arrival. Cool right? This system works because the windows are always open due to the hot climate, and claps can be heard from inside.

The National Drink Is Mate

Mate is the traditional drink for the Guarani indigenous people of South America. Considering Paraguay is one of the few countries in South America to retain its Guarani native heritage, it is no surprise the national drink is mate.

Mate is an infused tea made with yerba mate plant and boiling water. It is usually served hot. There is also a cold version of it, called Terere which is more popular in the summer. Yerba mate is a relative plant to common holly and is usually cultivated on plantations.

Drinking mate with friends is very common in Paraguay. Like In Uruguay, sharing a mate is considered a social activity and an important part of the culture.

World's Largest Water Reserve

One thing that cannot be separated from Paraguay's culture is water. Paraguay houses the world's largest water reserve, the "Acuifero Guarani" (Guarani aquifer). This reserve is so large that it extends into parts of Argentina and Brazil from Paraguay. It is one of the two largest aquifer systems in the world.

Pink Trumpet Tree (Lapacho)

Here's an interesting fact about Paraguay. The lapacho tree, although found in many Central and South American countries, is Paraguay's national tree.

Paraguay serves as home to at least 3400 species of plants and trees. Quebracho and Lapacho are some of these special trees. Quebracho has served as raw material for many industries as serves as raw material for leather works. But lapacho is the poster boy of the Paraguayan trees.

The pink-leaf tree is revered for its beauty and also its medicinal benefits. It can be used as herbal medicine and tea. There has been a suggestion that the lapacho was the main medicine for the Incas.

A Green Nation

One of the most lucrative sectors of the country's economy is agriculture. Due to access to more than enough water, agriculture is a staple in Paraguay. The agriculture sector encompasses cash crops, food crops and livestock.

Paraguay is a leading exporter of organic sugar, corn, soybeans, beef, and stevia, to mention a few. Beyond the cash influx of the agricultural sector, it keeps the nation beautiful by keeping it green.

Other Interesting Facts About Paraguay

No Sight Of Mountain

An interesting geographic fact about Paraguay is that it is smaller than the state of California. The land size is about 406,702 kilometers. It is a relatively small country in comparison to some of its neighbors.

The highest point in Paraguay is about 842 meters. The flat terrain in the country means that you rarely get views of mountains.

Deforestation

One fact about Paraguay is that it houses one of the most biodiverse forests in the world, covering approximately 1.3 million hectares.

Ironically, in all the years building up to 2004, the country had the highest deforestation rate on the continent. In recent times though, they've put measures in place to handle the deforestation problem and promote conservation.

Unique National Flag

Here's a fun fact about Paraguay for kids. Paraguay's flag is one of the oldest in the world belongs. It has three beautiful colors (red, white and blue).

The flag also has different emblems on either side, making it unique. It has a coat of arms and the national treasury seal on either side of the flag. Accompanying the nation's treasury seal is the nation's motto, "Pazy y Justicia" (peace and justice).

The Heart of South America

One important fact about Paraguay is that it is located near the center of South America. As such, it is mostly referred to as the heart of South America.

Argentina surrounds the country to the southwest, Bolivia to the north, and Brazil to the east. This ensures that the country enjoys protection from all sides against foreign intruders.

An Engineering Feat - Itaipu Dam

The Itaipu dam in Paraguay is the world's second-largest working hydroelectric power plant. It Costs a whopping $196 billion to build and maintain; that's a lot of money.

One interesting fact about this Paraguay landmark is that the amount of concrete used in constructing it is enough to build at least 210 football stadiums.

This power plant, built in 1971, has been meeting the power production needs of the nation satisfactorily. Interestingly Brazil also uses about 90% of the electricity generated from this plant.

Discovering More Fun Facts About Paraguay

Although not the most popular travel destination, Paraguay has its own unique culture and history. From its historic national flag to the world's largest water reserve, there are many interesting facts about Paraguay that make it an intriguing place.

The Carnival is a colorful event that showcases the best of Paraguayan culture, while the Itaipu Dam is an engineering feat that provides power to much of South America. If you're looking for an exotic destination, many visitors have a great time exploring what Paraguay has to offer.

PIN THESE FUN FACTS ABOUT PARAGUAY FOR LATER!

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20 Interesting And Fun Facts About Paraguay - Nomads Unveiled

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Paraguay is one of many nature-endowed countries in the world. This South American country is known for its Parana River, natural beauty, friendly people, and fascinating culture. There are many fun facts about Paraguay that makes it an interesting destination. Paraguay is sometimes known as "Corazón de América," which translates as "the Heart of America."

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Paraguay is a small country situated in South America. It is surrounded by land from all sides and has unique geographical and cultural characteristics. It shares its borders with Bolivia, Brazil, and Argentina. Along with its distinct geography, the country has several fascinating features.

Let's start with the flag of the country. Paraguay is the only country in the world to have different emblems on each of its sides. Its flag consists of red, white, and blue coloured bands of equal lengths. It has an emblem of the coat of arms at the centre, while the seal of the navy is on the posterior side of the flag. It resembles the Dutch flag with a key distinction in the emblem.

From the latest and most advanced energy power plants to their different types of duels, here are some of the most interesting facts about Paraguay.

Geography of Paraguay

Paraguay's geographical area totals around 406,702 kilometres. With this figure, the country is smaller than the state of California. And with the highest point of the country being just 842 metres, the plains of Paraguay don't allow the sight of a mountain.

As the country is located near the centre of South America, it is often referred to as the heart of South America. Paraguay is surrounded by Bolivia to the north, Brazil to the east, and Argentina to the southwest, offering complete protection from all sides of the country against foreign intruders.

Asunción, the capital of Paraguay, is the largest city in the country. Asunción divides itself into two political areas, Western (Occidental) and eastern (Oriental) regions on either side of the Paraguay River.

FACT 4: Second Largest Hydroelectric Power Plant

Paraguay has the second largest river in the entire South America region. The river is named as Parana river. Rising in the Mato Grosso region in Brazil, the Parana river flows through Bolivia, Argentina, and Paraguay. It covers a total distance of 4881 kilometres. It falls short of 1520 kilometres in length to beat the longest river in South America. i.e., The Amazon river.

Parana River holds the second largest working hydroelectric power plant in the world. It is called the Itaipu dam, and it costs $196 billion to build and maintain. With the amount of concrete used in the construction of the dam, one can build almost 210 football stadiums.

It was built in 1971, and it has been meeting the power production needs ever since. The dam single-handedly generates almost all of the electricity requirements for the entire country of Paraguay. Brazil uses about 90% of the generated electricity.

FACT 5: Largest Landlocked Navy in the World

While it doesn't have a coast on any of its borders, Paraguay still holds the world record for the largest Navy seal for any landlocked country. Paraguay smartly overcame the challenge of operating a full-scale Navy. The Navy operates through the wide network of rivers in the country, and it connects to the sea through Argentina.

Nature

Paraguay is home to multiple plants and trees. One of the popular ones is the quebracho tree. The quebracho tree contains tannin, which serves multiple industries as a raw material used to make leather. Almost 3400 different plant species can be found in Paraguay. One can also find medicinal and herbal plants such as marijuana in the land of Paraguay.

Paraguay is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts. It is home to around 1000 different species of birds. This is great diversity, considering that many forests in the country were cut down for the land to be freed for cultivation.

The rich wildlife of the country includes armadillos, monkeys, anteaters, otters, bears, tapirs, and jaguars. Ocelot, Guecon, Lowland tapir, Toucan, and Chaco tortoise form a major portion of wildlife diversity in the country.

Along with the hundreds of snake species (most of them harmless to humans), you can find Piranhas in the country too. And contrary to what Hollywood movies show, Piranhas rarely attack humans. In fact, they make for healthy and delicious meals that are popular throughout the country.

FACT 8: Jaguar and the National Animal

You can find America's largest cat, Jaguar, in some places in Paraguay. But the national animal of Paraguay is Pampas Fox. The grey colour with brownish markings on the head and legs give them the alternate "false" fox name.

Population and People

The total population of Paraguay is about 7,025,763. The population is comparable to that of the state of Arizona, and it is barely above the population of Massachusetts state. Most of the country's population is located in eastern Paraguay, between Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana. The average life expectancy of males and females in Paraguay is 73 years and 78 years, respectively.

The population density in Paraguay is one of the lowest in the world. A small percentage of the population lives in Chaco, on the west of Paraguay River, where Brazilians and Paraguayans have settled since the 1970s.

The literacy rate of Paraguay is higher than that of the USA by quite a margin. The literacy rate of people above the age of 15 years is around 95%, whereas the same for the US is 86%. This means, on average, more people in Paraguay can read and write when compared to people in the US.

Paraguay has some of the most homogeneous populations in South America in terms of ethnicity, culture, and social life. With around 70% Mestizo people, and 30% whites, Paraguay is one of the least diverse countries in the world in terms of population and culture.

Most of its inhabitants are mestizo, a mix of Indian European ancestry. In the 1970s, Paraguay saw an influx of almost 300,000 immigrants, many of them Brazilian farmers. Other immigrants came in from Italy, Germany, Spain, Japan, South Korea, and China. Currently, there are about 30,000 Mennonites, or German-speaking people in Paraguay, situated in the Chaco colonies.

The Japanese immigrants established thriving agricultural colonies in Asuncion after the 1930s. Ever since Koreans immigrated to Paraguay in the 1960s, Paraguay has had small Korean communities, especially in the country's larger cities.

Paraguay has two official languages. Guarani is the first, and Spanish is the second language used in the country. It is also one of the few American countries that retained their native/mother tongue as the official language. An interesting fact about the Guarani language is that many of the words in the language imitate the sounds in nature. About 19 other indigenous and rare languages are spoken in the country apart from Spanish and Guarani.

Culture

FACT 13: Independence Day (14th and 15th May)

Paraguayans celebrate their independence from Spain on the 14th and 15th of May. Along with this, Paraguay celebrates almost all of the Christian festivals with high enthusiasm. Paraguay became independent on the 14th of March 1811.

FACT 14: Paraguay Legally Allows Duelling

In Paraguay, it is legal for anyone to duel with pistols. The only prerequisite of this duel is that both participants must consent to the duel. The people involved in the duel must also be registered blood donors. A medical specialist needs to be present during the duel.

FACT 15: Paraguay's Relationship with Wars

Paraguay underwent multiple wars in the last few centuries, making it lose tremendous manpower and infrastructure. The war of triple alliance between Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay fought between 1864 to 1870 caused the country to lose almost half of the male population.

History has become a distinguishing and identifying feature for the country, so much so that the country is popular because of the wars fought over the course of a few decades. The country lost about 30% of its land to Argentina and Brazil in this war between 1865 and 1870.

The culture in Paraguay is highly influenced by many European countries. This was due to the extensive intermarriage between male Spanish settlers and indigenous Guarani women after the wars. This is the reason why Spanish is the second recognized language in Paraguay.

This cultural interaction reflects in the various art forms in the country. Embroidery, lace making, and music clearly convey the fusion of the two cultures to form a unique take on both.

Food

FACT 16: National Dish and Other Unique Dishes

The national dish of Paraguay is sopa paraguaya. It is a delicious combination of cornbread, cheese, and onions. The country also has several other unique and exquisite dishes.

Paraguay serves Sopa Paraguaya, the only soup in the world which is not liquid. The soup is a unique combination of cornbread with onion, fat, cheese, eggs, milk, and butter.

Chipas and Paraguaya are the two traditional dishes of Paraguay. Chipas are the cheese and manioc flour biscuits containing cheese in an excessive amount. It comes in many variants, but the most popular of them all is the one that adds cornmeal to the recipe. It's the preferred dish in the country on Good Friday.

Calabash is a plant in Paraguay used to make a tea-like drink called "Mate" (mah tay). "Mate" is the national beverage of the country.

Economy

Guarani is the official currency in Paraguay. While it is fairly stable compared to other standards such as dollars, the exchange value is something that people from a country outside Paraguay take time to comprehend properly . One dollar equates to roughly 6950 Paraguayan Guarani.

Agriculture, street vendors, and re-export of imported goods form a large section of Paraguay's economy. The presence of multiple rivers across the country massively helps agriculture and related industries. Cooperative farming in Paraguay increased the quality of life for many farmers who had thus far depended on small-scale farming for single-crop cultivation.

The main agricultural products are cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, and others, while the supporting businesses provide beef, pork, eggs, milk, and wood.

Sugar, cement, textiles, food and beverages, timber products, steel and metallurgy, and electricity form the largest industries in the country.

FACT 20: The Unequal Distribution of Wealth

The unequal wealth distribution in the country leads to many problems and creates an economic divide between the rich and poor. According to World Finance, 80 percent of the land is held by 2.5 percent of the population, and 161 people control 90 percent of the wealth of our country.

Many reports suggest that almost 30-50% of Paraguay's population lives below the poverty line. In rural areas of the country, more than 40% of the citizens don't earn enough monthly income to cover their basic necessities. The top 10% of the population in the country holds more than 40 percent of the total national income.

Government and Society

Paraguay has a Constitutional Republic Government that consists of an executive branch with a chief of state and a head of the government. Both of these posts get filled by the president. Paraguay is divided into seventeen departments for better local administration.

Almost all of Paraguay's population is located in the southern part of the country. The elevated plains make for an ideal environment to live in the country.

Most of the country follows Christianity. About 90 percent of Paraguay's population was Catholic, 6.2% were Evangelical protestants, 1 percent identified themselves with other Christian sects, and the rest 0.6% of the population practised indigenous religions.

Explore More!

All these facts help Paraguay attain a unique position in South America as well as in the world. The historical, geographical, and cultural diversity and importance of the country make us appreciate the country even more. Conserving the culture by fostering traditions such as duelling and the use of a native language as a National language gives it a unique spot on the map of South America.
If you wish to learn more interesting facts about other countries, explore the Cool Kid Facts website!

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22 Interesting Facts About Paraguay Paraguay is a small country situated in South America. It is surrounded by land from all sides and has unique geographical and cultural characteristics. It shares its borders with Bolivia, Brazil, and Argentina. Along with its distinct geography, the country has several fascinating features.

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Landlocked Paraguay is at the heart of South America, surrounded by Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil.

Political unrest, corruption and chronic economic problems have plagued the country's fragile democracy since it emerged from the 35-year dictatorship of the late Gen Alfredo Stroessner in 1989.

Around a quarter of Paraguayans live below the national poverty line. Much of the land is owned by a small number of individuals and successive governments have been slow to implement land reform.

The economy is reliant on agriculture and hydroelectric power. Unlike its neighbours, Paraguay does not have a large tourism industry.

Most of the population is of mixed Spanish and Guarani descent, known as mestizos, and speak the indigenous language Guarani as well as Spanish.

The Triple Frontier region, where Paraguay meets Argentina and Brazil, has long been associated with drug-smuggling and other contraband trade.

Population 6.7 million

Area 406,752 sq km (157,048 sq miles)

Major languages Spanish, Guarani

Main religion Christianity

Life expectancy 71 years (men), 75 years (women)

Currency guarani

President: Mario Abdo Benítez

Former senator Mario Abdo Benítez, of the ruling Colorado Party, assumed office in August 2018.

He narrowly triumphed in a presidential election held three months earlier, having promised to maintain low tax policies to encourage foreign investment.

His victory meant that the right-wing Colorado Party, which has dominated Paraguayan politics for decades, maintained its hold on power.

Mr Benitez is the son of a close aide to former military dictator Alfredo Stroessner, whose record he has faced criticism for defending.

Private and public outlets make up the broadcasting landscape and media ownership is highly concentrated.

The media operate with few official curbs. Crime reporting can be perilous in an area bordering Brazil and Argentina.

Some key dates in Paraguay's history:

1500s - Originally inhabited by the indigenous Guarani people before the arrival of the first Spanish settlers.

1811 - Declares independence from Spain and becomes a republic

1865-70 - War of the Triple Alliance - Paraguay goes to war with Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay in a bid to dominate the region but loses two-thirds of its adult male population and much of its territory. The government begins selling off land to pay off a crippling war debt leading to much of Paraguay's land being owned by a tiny elite.

1932-35 - After decades of economic stagnation, Paraguay wins swathes of land from Bolivia in the Chaco War.

1947 - Following a brief civil war, the right wing National Republican-Colorado Party rules Paraguay as a one-party state and goes on to dominate politics for the next 60 years.

1954-1989 - Army chief Alfredo Stroessner seizes power in a coup and rules for 35 years until he is overthrown by Gen Andres Rodriguez.

1992 - New constitution paves the way for free elections. Despite a failed coup attempt in 1996 and a succession of presidents, there is a long period of political instability and party infighting.

1999 - Bloody street protests follow the assassination of Vice-President Luis Maria Argana, President Raul Cubas resigns. A military coup is foiled the following year.

2008 - Six decades of rule by the right-wing Colorado Party is brought to an end when former Catholic bishop Fernando Lugo is elected president, but the party returns to power in 2013 with election of political newcomer Horacio Cartes.

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Landlocked Paraguay is at the heart of South America, surrounded by Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil. Political unrest, corruption and chronic economic problems have plagued the country's fragile democracy since it emerged from the 35-year dictatorship of the late Gen Alfredo Stroessner in 1989. Around a quarter of Paraguayans live below the national poverty line.

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activesustainability.com-The footprints of climate change in Latin America

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Latin America's climate is changing. Precipitation patterns are shifting, temperatures are rising, and some areas are experiencing changes in the frequency and severity of weather extremes such as heavy rains. The impacts range from melting Andean glaciers to devastating floods and droughts.

The two great oceans that flank the continent-the Pacific and the Atlantic-are warming and becoming more acidic while sea level also rises.

Unfortunately, greater impact is in store for the region as both the atmosphere and oceans continue to rapidly change. Food and water supplies will be disrupted. Towns and cities and the infrastructure required to sustain them will be increasingly at risk. Human health and welfare will be adversely affected, along with natural ecosystems.

This photo story shows the devastating impacts across Latin America.

EXTREME WEATHER

Changes in climate and extreme events have severely affected Latin America. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 613 extreme climate and hydro-meteorological events occurred between 2000 and 2013. Hydro-meteorological events include typhoons and hurricanes, thunderstorms, hailstorms, tornados, blizzards, heavy snowfall, avalanches, coastal storm surges, floods including flash floods, drought, heatwaves and cold spells. This has resulted in the displacement of people, numerous fatalities and significant economic losses.

Tropical storms originating in both the Atlantic and Pacific have devastated parts of Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Beyond the damage the storms have caused in coastal areas, their torrential rains inland have accounted for much greater devastation. According to the IPCC, in 1998, Hurricane Mitch alone affected 600,000 people- mostly because of the floods and landslides from heavy rains.

DROUGHTS

Researchers are moderately confident that Amazonia, northeastern Brazil, Central America, the Caribbean, and some parts of Mexico will see increased drought conditions. Of particular concern is the prospect of more frequent extreme droughts in the Amazon, which could push the region to a "tipping point," increasing the likelihood of a large-scale dieback of the Amazon forest.

Notable recent droughts are those that afflicted the Amazon in 2005 and 2010 and a drought in Southeastern Brazil that has extended from 2012 to late 2015. In addition, existing drought conditions in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean may be intensified by the ongoing strong 2015-2016 El Niño occurring against a backdrop of rising temperatures associated with global warming.

After four years of below normal rainfall São Paulo, Brazil was experiencing its worst drought in over 80 years by mid-2015. The city's main water system, the Cantareira reservoir, supports the water needs of 5.3 million people, but by August 2015 it was at record low levels with less than 17% of its normal water capacitydown from the 9 million before the drought. Officials in August 2015 declared the city's water situation "critical," and Moody's Investors Service in early September estimated that the Companhia de Saneamento Basico do Estado de São Paulo had roughly five months of stored water supply remaining.

The situation illustrates the vulnerability of some Latin American cities to drought as climate change alters the frequency and/or severity of drought in the region.

SEA LEVEL RISE

Oceans expand as they warm and they rise further as they receive huge amounts of freshwater from melting glaciers and ice sheets. The sea level is rising and is rise in sea level will continue do so at an accelerated pace in the future. By 2100, sea level could rise another one to four feet.

The IPCC states sea levels threaten the Latin American population-a large proportion of which lives on the coast-by contaminating freshwater aquifers, eroding shorelines, inundating low-lying areas, and increasing the risks of storm surges, according to one assessment.

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Latin America's climate is changing. Precipitation patterns are shifting, temperatures are rising, and some areas are experiencing changes in the frequency and severity of weather extremes such as heavy rains. The impacts range from melting Andean glaciers to devastating floods and droughts.

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Scientists concerned about extreme weather trends throughout South America

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Peru & The Andes: Living on the Climate Change Frontlines

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Find your country and click on it to get more information!

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Find your country and click on it to get more information!

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South America’s second-smallest country, Uruguay is bordered by Brazil and Argentina and lies along the Atlantic Ocean.

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Head Of State And Government:

President: Luis Lacalle Pou

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Population:

(2024 est.) 3,459,000

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Form Of Government:

republic with two legislative houses (Senate [311]; House of Representatives [99])

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Official Language:

Spanish

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Relief and soils

The Uruguayan landscape is largely characterized by gently rolling land, with an average elevation of about 383 feet (117 metres). Tidal lakes and sand dunes fringe the coastline. Elsewhere there are broad valleys, plains (pampas), low plateaus and hills, and ridges-notably Haedo Ridge (Cuchilla de Haedo) in the north and Grande Ridge (Cuchilla Grande) in the southeast-that are a southward extension of the Brazilian Highlands. Mount Catedral, which rises to 1,685 feet (514 metres) near the southeastern coast, is the highest point in the country. The valleys and coastal plains are covered with deposits of sand, clay, and fertile alluvium.

Drainage

Although it is a well-watered land, no large rivers flow entirely within Uruguay. The Uruguay River and the estuary of the Río de la Plata, along the western border of the nation, are navigable for oceangoing ships until Paysandú and for smaller vessels above that point to the falls at Salto. The smaller Negro River, which traverses the country from northeast to southwest, is navigable only in its lower part, below Rincón del Bonete Lake (the Río Negro Reservoir). Among other small rivers are the Santa Lucía, Cebollatí, and Queguay Grande. Merín (Mirim) Lagoon, which lies mainly within Brazil, is the largest natural lake.

Climate

Uruguay has a generally pleasant, temperate climate. The average temperature for the midwinter month of July varies from 54 °F (12 °C) at Salto in the northern interior to 50 °F (10 °C) at Montevideo in the south. The midsummer month of January varies from a warm average of 79 °F (26 °C) at Salto to 72 °F (22 °C) at Montevideo. Frost is almost unknown along the coast. Both summer and winter weather may vary from day to day with the passing of storm fronts; a hot northerly wind may occasionally be followed by a cold wind (pampero) from the Argentine Pampas.

Uruguay has neither a decidedly dry nor a rainy season. The heaviest precipitation occurs during the autumn months (March and April), although more frequent rains occur in winter. The mean annual precipitation is generally greater than 40 inches (1,000 mm), decreasing with distance from the seacoast, and is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year. Thunderstorms occur frequently during the summer.

Plant and animal life

Tall-grass prairies once covered most of Uruguay's land surface but now compete with enclosed, planted pastures. Only a small percentage of the land is forested, most of the trees growing in narrow stretches along watercourses. The principal species are ombu-a scrubby, treelike plant-and alder. Others include willow, eucalyptus, pine, poplar, acacia, and aloe. The algaroba (carob tree) and quebracho (whose wood and bark are utilized in tanning and dyeing) are prevalent, and indigenous palms grow in the valleys and along the southeastern coast. Common smaller plants include mimosa, myrtle, rosemary, and scarlet-flowered ceibo.

Animals native to Uruguay have largely disappeared, although pumas and jaguars are still occasionally found in remote areas. Other native mammals include foxes, deer, wildcats, armadillos ( mulitas), and several types of rodents, including huge capybaras. Scorpions are rare, but venomous spiders are common. Birdlife includes tiny burrowing owls, crows, lapwings, partridges, quails, hummingbirds, and cardinals. Parakeets are plentiful in the hills, and the lagoons swarm with waterfowl, including white herons, cranes, and flamingos. Rheas are now mainly limited to semidomesticated settings. Lizards, tortoises, and venomous snakes are found in many areas. Caimans inhabit the upper waters of the Uruguay River, and seals are found on small islands off the southeastern coast, particularly on Lobos Island. A network of national parks and a wildlife reserve are dedicated to the preservation of animal and bird populations.
Preston E. James Marvin H. Alisky Martin Weinstein

Ethnic groups and languages

Uruguayans are of predominantly European origin, mostly descendants of 19th- and 20th-century immigrants from Spain and Italy and, to a much lesser degree, from France and Britain. Earlier settlers had migrated from Argentina and Paraguay. Few direct descendants of Uruguay's indigenous peoples remain, and mestizos (of mixed European and Indian ancestry) account for less than one-tenth of the population. Blacks and persons of mixed Black and white ancestry make up an even smaller proportion of the total.

Spanish is spoken throughout Uruguay, although in Rivera and other borderland towns close to Brazil an admixture of Portuguese and Spanish can be heard, often in a slang called portuñol, from the words português and español.

Religion

Nearly half of the people are at least nominally Roman Catholic. About one-third of the population adhere to other Christian faiths or are nondenominational Christians. About one-sixth of Uruguayans are agnostics or atheists. Jews, mostly in Montevideo, make up a small minority, which is nevertheless one of the larger Jewish communities in South America.

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Uruguay | History, Capital, Flag, Population, Map, Climate, & Facts

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Uruguay, country located on the southeastern coast of South America. The second smallest country on the continent, Uruguay has long been overshadowed politically and economically by the adjacent republics of Brazil and Argentina, with both of which it has many cultural and historical similarities.

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A trail winds through the Andes Mountains in South America. It passes the ruins of the Inca (a civilization that thrived between the 12th and 16th centuries), valleys filled with llamas, and a lake perched in the peaks. Eventually the path starts to descend, leading from the cool mountains into the humid Amazon rain forest. The trail is in Bolivia, a country where the people and wildlife are as diverse as the landscape.

Bolivia's land isn't just diverse-some of its features have broken records! Lake Titicaca is the world's highest lake that's deep enough for a boat to sail on. Salar de Uyuni, which sits in the southwest of the country, is the world's largest salt flat. And the world's highest forest sits more than 13,000 feet above sea level in Bolivia's Sajama National Park. This takes cool scenery to new heights.

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Humans have inhabited the land in Bolivia for thousands of years.

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What makes Bolivia a unique country to travel to?

Country Description

Bolivia is a constitutional democracy and one of the least-developed countries in South America. Tourist facilities are generally adequate, but vary greatly in quality. La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia, while Sucreis the constitutional capital and the seat of the Supreme Court. La Paz is accessible via the international airport in El Alto.

Crime

The U.S. Department of State currently classifies Bolivia as a medium to high crime threat country. Street crime, such as pick pocketing, assaults following ATM withdrawals, and theft from parked vehicles, occurs with some frequency in Bolivia. You should secure your belongings in a hotel safe and refrain from wearing expensive jewelry. U.S. citizens have also had backpacks, passports, and other property stolen at bus terminals or while traveling on buses, as well as at internet cafes and in other situations where the U.S. citizen is distracted or leaves property unattended. Theft of cars and car parts, particularly late-model four-wheel-drive vehicles, is common, and some vehicles have been hijacked.

Express Kidnappings: Incidents in which tourists are robbed and forced to withdrawal money from ATMs, known as "express kidnappings", are common in La Paz. Typically, the victim enters a taxi driven by a criminal, and then an additional person or two gets in the vehicle. The victim is then robbed of his/her belongings and/or driven to an ATM where he/she is forced to provide personal identification numbers for debit and credit card withdrawals. The areas where these crimes are most frequent include Plaza Humbolt (Zona Sur), Plaza Abaroa, Plaza del Estudiante, Plaza Isabel La Católica, and Plaza San Francisco. Avoid becoming a victim of this crime by using only radio taxis and not traveling alone, particularly if you're under the influence of alcohol or it's late at night.

Coronilla Hill: We recommend that you avoid the Coronilla Hill, a Cochabamba landmark adjacent to the main bus terminal and near several markets, hostels, and restaurants. The Coronilla Hill has become an increasingly dangerous place for tourists and local citizens alike. The local police, tourist authorities, and press have declared the area off limits and cautioned people to enter the area at their own peril. U.S. citizens have been assaulted in the area. The police have made several sweeps of the area in an attempt to control the situation, but incidents of crime continue. Police reports indicate that thieves in that area have gone from purse snatching and burglary to increasingly violent assaults on passerbys.

Public Transportation: The U.S. Embassy in La Paz continues to receive reports of U.S. citizens traveling by bus from Copacabana to La Paz being held up and robbed of their ATM cards and other valuables. This crime reportedly involves U.S. citizens taking an evening bus from Copacabana. While the bus is scheduled to stop at the La Paz bus terminal, the driver will stop short of that location, typically near the General Cemetery late at night. Disembarking and disoriented passengers then have little option but to hail a waiting taxi. Thieves in cooperation with the taxi driver enter the taxi to blindfold and coerce the U.S. citizen(s) into surrendering cash, cameras, ATM cards, and other valuables. Victims have reported that once the thieves withdrew funds using the ATM cards, they were released without further harm. If you plan to travel from Copacabana, you should try to arrive during daylight hours, verify the final destination, and buy tickets directly at the Copacabana bus terminal rather than from third parties.

Scam Artists: Bolivian police report the presence of organized criminal groups operating in the La Paz area. The techniques employed by these groups vary, but there are a few major patterns, including "false police" - persons using police uniforms, identification, and even buildings modified to resemble police stations, who intercept and rob foreigners. Remember, under Bolivian law, police need a warrant from the "fiscal" (prosecutor) to detain a suspect. Any searches or seizures must occur at a bona fide police station in the presence of the prosecutor. The warrant requirement also applies to suspected drug trafficking cases, although such searches and seizures may occur without a prosecutor present. If you are detained, you should request to see the warrant and insist on immediate contact with the nearest U.S. consular office.

Be cautious of anyone introducing themselves to you as a policeman or even a fellow tourist, especially in popular tourist areas. Be wary of strangers and "false friends." If you have any doubts about a situation, immediately remove yourself from the scene.

Street Crime: Thefts of bags, wallets, and backpacks are a problem throughout Bolivia, but especially in the tourist areas of downtown La Paz and the Altiplano. Most thefts involve two or three people who spot a potential victim and wait until the bag or backpack is placed on the ground, often at a restaurant, bus terminal, internet café, etc. In other cases, the thief places a disagreeable substance on the clothes or backpack of the intended victim and then offers to assist the victim with the removal of the substance. While the person is distracted, the thief or an accomplice grabs the bag or backpack and flees. If you find yourself in such a situation, you should decline assistance, secure the bag/backpack, and walk briskly from the area.

In order to steal wallets and bags, thieves may spray water on the victim's neck, and while the person is distracted an accomplice takes the wallet or bag. At times, the thief poses as a policeman and requests that the person accompany him to the police station, using a nearby taxi. If this happens to you, say you want to contact the U.S. Embassy; do not enter the taxi. Under no circumstances should you surrender ATM or credit cards, or release a personal identification number.

While most thefts do not involve violence, in some instances the victim has been physically harmed and forcibly searched for hidden valuables. This is particularly true in "choke and rob" assaults where the victims report being choked from behind until they lost consciousness and later awoke to find all of their possessions gone. Again, avoid being alone on the streets, especially at night and in isolated areas.

Don't buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, you may be breaking local law, too.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in another country, you are subject to the local laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. In some places, you may be taken in for questioning if you do not have your passport with you. In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings and driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. There are also some things that might be legal in Bolivia, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods or engage in child pornography. While you are overseas, U.S. laws don't apply. If you do something illegal in the host country, your U.S. passport won't help. It is very important to know what is legal and what is not legal where you are going. If you violate Bolivian laws, even unknowingly, Bolivian authorities may expel, arrest and/or imprison you. Under Bolivian law, suspects can be detained in prision for up to 18 months without formal charges while the investigation is conducted. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Bolivia are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. It is not unusual for legal cases in Bolivia to drag on for years, with numerous delays and costly set-backs along the way.

Medical Facilities and Health Information

Throughout the country, both personal hygiene and sanitary practices in food handling are far below U.S. standards. Food and beverage precautions are essential. Medical care in large cities is adequate for most purposes but of varying quality. Ambulance services are limited to non-existent. Medical facilities are generally not adequate to handle serious medical conditions. Pharmacies are located throughout Bolivia and prescription and over-the-counter medications are widely available. Western Bolivia, dominated by the Andes and high plains (Altiplano), is largely insect-free. However, altitude sickness (see below) is a major problem. Eastern Bolivia is tropical, and visitors to that area are subject to related illnesses. Insect precautions are recommended.

Travelers to Bolivia should consult with a Travel Clinic well in advance of departure for further information on recommended vaccinations.

Dengue: Dengue is endemic throughout eastern Bolivia, including in the city of Santa Cruz. Since January 2007, there have been several thousand cases, representing a significantly increased incidence and part of a region-wide trend.

Rabies: Bolivia is a high risk area for rabies. Dog and bat bites and scratches should be taken seriously and post-exposure prophylaxis sought.

Yellow Fever: Yellow fever is present in subtropical Bolivia. Yellow fever vaccination certification is required for entry visa applications, and may be required prior to boarding by airlines flying into/transiting Bolivia, as well as at entry points to Bolivia. Please refer to the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) information on Yellow Fever.

High Altitude Health Risks: The altitude of La Paz ranges from 10,600 feet to over 13,000 feet (3,400 to 4,000 meters) above sea level. Much of Western Bolivia is at the same altitude or higher, including Lake Titicaca, the Salar de Uyuni, and the cities of Oruro and Potosi. The altitude alone poses a serious risk of illness, hospitalization and even death, even for those in excellent health.

Prior to departing the U.S. for high-altitude locations (over 10,000 feet above sea level), you should discuss the trip with your healthcare provider and request information on specific recommendations concerning medication and lifestyle tips at high altitudes. Coca-leaf tea is a popular beverage and folk remedy for altitude sickness in Bolivia. However, possession of this tea, which is sold in bags in most Bolivian grocery stores, is illegal in the United States. "Sorojchi pills" sold in local pharmacies, contain high amounts of caffeine and are not usually recommended.

The State Department cautions travelers planning to visit La Paz to consider the following risks and advice:

Sickle cell anemia or sickle cell trait: persons with sickle cell trait may have a crisis at elevations of more than 8,000 feet. U.S. citizens with this condition have required urgent medical evacuation from La Paz to the United States.

Heart disease: Any person who has heart disease, or known risk factors for heart disease, should consult their doctor about their risks of ascending to high altitude, and whether any testing of their heart would be in order. Even U.S. citizens who adjust well initially to the altitude in La Paz have subsequently suffered heart attacks and been hospitalized.

Lung disease: Anyone with emphysema should consult closely with their doctor and seriously reconsider coming to La Paz or other, high-altitude areas. Anyone with asthma should consult their doctor; mild asthma may be manageable at high altitude, but it is important to remember that emergency care and intensive respiratory care are very limited even in the city of La Paz and are absent outside the city. U.S. citizens with respiratory ailments have previously been medically evacuated from La Paz to other countries to receive medical treatment.

Pregnancy: Given potential complications from altitude sickness, pregnant women should consult their doctor before travel to La Paz and other high-altitude areas of Bolivia. There is an increased risk of miscarriages and other pregnancy-related complications at high altitudes.

Everyone, even healthy and fit persons, will feel symptoms of hypoxia (lack of oxygen) upon arrival at high altitude. Most people will have increased respiration and increased heart rate. Many will have headaches, difficulty sleeping, lack of appetite, minor gastric and intestinal upsets, and mood changes. Try to limit physical activity for the first 36 to 48 hours after arrival, and avoid alcohol and smoking for at least one week after arrival.

Safety and Security

Protests, strikes, and other civic actions are common and disrupt transportation on a local and national level. While protest actions generally begin peacefully, they have the potential to become violent. The police have used tear gas to break up protests. In addition to rallies and street demonstrations, protesters sometimes block roads and have reacted with force when travelers attempt to pass through or go around roadblocks. You should avoid roadblocks and demonstrations. Demonstrations protesting government or private company policies occur frequently, even in otherwise peaceful times.

If you plan to travel to or from Bolivia, you should take into consideration the possibility of disruptions to air service in and out of La Paz and other airports due to protests. Monitor Bolivian media reports and the U.S. Embassy website for updates. The U.S. Embassy strongly recommends that U.S. citizens avoid areas where roadblocks or public demonstrations are occurring or planned. Political rallies should similarly be avoided in light of press reports of violence at some rallies in various parts of Bolivia.

Roadblocks: Roadblocks are common in Bolivia. If you find yourself at a roadblock, you should not attempt to run through it, as this may aggravate the situation and lead to physical harm. Instead, you should consider taking alternative, safe routes, or returning to where the travel started. If you plan to take a road trip, be sure to monitor news reports and contact the American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy in La Paz at (591-2) 216-8246 or the U.S. Consular Agencies in Cochabamba at (591-4) 411-6313 and/or Santa Cruz at (591-3) 351-3477 for updates. Given that roadblocks may occur without warning and have stranded travelers for several days, you should take extra food, water, and warm clothing.

The U.S. Embassy also advises U.S. citizens to maintain at least two weeks' supply of drinking water and canned food in case roadblocks affect supplies. For more information on emergency preparedness, please consult the Federal Emergency Management Authority (FEMA) web site.

The countrywide emergency number for the police, including highway patrol, is 110. The corresponding number for the fire department is 119.

The National Tourism Police has offices in La Paz and Cochabamba, providing free assistance to tourists. In the city of Santa Cruz, Interpol will provide these same services to tourists. These services include English-speaking officials who may assist tourists in filing police reports of lost/stolen documents or other valuables. The La Paz office is open 24 hours a day and is located at Plaza del Stadium, Edificio Olympia, Planta Baja, Miraflores, telephone number 800-14-0081. The Cochabamba office is located at Plaza 14 de Septiembre, Edificio Prefectura, tel. (591-4) 450-3880; it is open from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. seven days a week.

Chapare and Yungas Regions: In the Chapare region between Santa Cruz and Cochabamba and the Yungas region northeast of La Paz, violence and civil unrest, primarily associated with anti-narcotics activities, periodically create a risk for travelers. This region is also prone to dangerous flooding due to heavy rains from December to February.

Confrontations between area residents and government authorities over coca eradication have resulted in the use of tear gas and stronger force by government authorities to quell disturbances. Pro-coca groups have expressed anti-U.S. sentiments and may attempt to target U.S. government or private interests. If you plan to travel to the Chapare or Yungas regions, we encourage you to check with the Embassy's Consular Section prior to travel. Violence has also erupted between squatters unlawfully invading private land and security forces attempting to remove them.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions

While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Bolivia is provided for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance. If you plan on driving in Bolivia, despite the hazards described below, you should obtain an international driver's license through your local automobile club before coming to Bolivia.

Road conditions in Bolivia are hazardous. Although La Paz, Santa Cruz, and Cochabamba are connected by improved highways, the vast majority of roads in Bolivia are unpaved. Few highways have shoulders, fencing or barriers, and highway markings are minimal. Yielding for pedestrians in the cities is not the norm. For trips outside the major cities, especially in mountainous areas, we highly recommend using a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Travel during the rainy season (November through March) is difficult, as most routes have potholes, and roads and bridges may be washed out. Added dangers are the absence of formal training for most drivers, poor maintenance and overloaded vehicles, lack of lights on some vehicles at night, and intoxicated or overly tired drivers, including commercial bus and truck drivers.

The majority of intercity travel in Bolivia is by bus, with varying levels of safety and service. Bus accidents, at times attributed to drunk drivers or mechanical failures, have caused scores of deaths and severe injuries. In recent years, there have been major bus crashes on the highway between La Paz and Oruro, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz, Oruro and Cochabamba and on the Yungas road. The old Yungas road is considered one of the most dangerous routes in the world.

Public Transportation: From a crime perspective, public transportation is relatively safe, and violent assaults are rare. However, petty theft of unattended backpacks and other personal items does occur. For safety purposes, the Embassy advises you to use radio taxis whenever possible. U.S. citizens taking unlicensed taxis have reported being robbed and assaulted.

In Case of Accident: Drivers of vehicles involved in traffic accidents are expected to remain at the scene until the local police arrive. Any attempt to leave the scene violates Bolivian law. The Embassy believes any attempt to flee the scene of an accident would place the driver and passengers at greater risk of harm than remaining at the scene until the arrival of local police.

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Bolivia | Culture, Facts & Travel | - CountryReports

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What makes Bolivia a unique country to travel to? Bolivia is a constitutional democracy and one of the least-developed countries in South America. Tourist facilities are generally adequate, but vary greatly in quality. La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia, while Sucreis the constitutional capital and the seat of the Supreme Court.

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Bolivia facts for kids | National Geographic Kids

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Learn all about this beautiful country in our Bolivia facts! Learn about Bolivian history, people, politics, wildlife & geography, plus a map of Bolivia...

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What makes Ecuador a unique country to travel to?

Country Description

Ecuador is a Spanish-speaking country approximately the size of Colorado. It has a democratically elected government. In general, tourist facilities are adequate but vary in quality. Crime is a significant concern. Ecuador uses the U.S. dollar as its official currency, and U.S. bills and both U.S. and locally minted coins are accepted everywhere.

Crime

Crime is a severe problem in Ecuador. Crimes against U.S. citizens in the past year have ranged from petty theft to violent offenses, including armed robbery, home invasion, sexual assault, and several instances of murder and attempted murder. Very low rates of apprehension and conviction of criminals - due to limited police and judicial resources - contribute to Ecuador's high crime rate.

"Secuestro Express" Taxi Assaults: Robberies and assaults against taxi passengers, known locally as "secuestro express" continue to present a significant safety concern, especially in Guayaquil and Manta, but also with increasing regularity in Quito. Shortly after the passenger enters a taxi, the vehicle is typically intercepted by armed accomplices of the driver, who threaten passengers with weapons, rob passengers of their personal belongings, and force victims to withdraw money from ATMs. Increasingly, victims have been beaten or raped during these incidents.

In the Guayaquil area, you should call to order a taxi by phone or use a service affiliated with major hotels. If you must hail a taxi on the street, seek out those that are officially registered and in good condition. Registered taxis in Ecuador are usually yellow, display matching unit numbers on their windshields and doors, feature a taxi cooperative name on the door, and are identified with an orange license plate. Still, be aware that passengers have been victimized even in taxis that meet these criteria. U.S. officials associated with the U.S. Consulate in Guayaquil are forbidden from hailing street taxis.

If you become a victim of express kidnapping and/or robbery, cooperation with the assailant usually results in the best outcome, as nothing material is as valuable as your life. Following a criminal incident, U.S. citizens are encouraged to immediately file a police report with the local authorities and to inform the American Citizens Services Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Quito or the U.S. Consulate General in Guayaquil.

Violent Robberies: Armed or violent robberies can occur in all parts of Ecuador, not just the major cities. Many travelers have been robbed after using ATMs or when exiting banks. Travelers should avoid withdrawing large amounts of cash at one time from banks and ATMs, and should use ATMs in protected indoor areas like well-guarded shopping malls. In some cases, robbers have used motorcycles to approach their victims and flee the scene. Tourists have also been robbed at gunpoint on beaches and along hiking trails.

Non-Violent Robberies: Pick-pocketing, purse-snatching, robbery, bag-slashing, and hotel room theft are the most common types of crimes committed against U.S. citizens in Ecuador. They occur throughout Ecuador and incidents have increased significantly in recent years. Pickpockets and other petty thieves are particularly active in airports, restaurants, on public transportation, in crowded streets, bus terminals, public markets, and grocery stores. Backpackers are frequently targeted for robbery, as are travelers carrying laptop computer bags. On buses, luggage stowed below the bus or at a traveler's feet is sometimes stolen. Thieves in Ecuador often distract the victim, sometimes by purposefully spilling liquid on the victim and pretending to help the victim clean it up, while accomplices snatch the victim's bag or pick the victim's pocket. To lower your risk of these or other non-violent crimes, leave valuables in a safe place, or don't travel with them. Make use of hotel safes when available, avoid wearing obviously expensive jewelry or designer clothing, and carry only the cash or credit cards that you will need on each outing. Stay alert to pickpockets when in crowds and when taking public transportation, and be conscious that distractions can be created to target you.

Carjacking and Thefts from Vehicles: To avoid carjacking or theft from your vehicle while you are stopped at intersections, drive with your doors locked and windows rolled up. "Smash and grabs" occur when thieves break into parked vehicles, but have also been known to occur in slow-moving or stopped traffic, particularly when cars are driven by females in the car alone. Do not leave anything of value in plain view in a car, including sunglasses, sports equipment, purses, briefcases or valuables. Always be aware of your surroundings, and try to travel in groups.

Sexual Assault: Incidents of sexual assault and rape have increased, including in well-traveled tourist areas. Criminals generally target women who are alone, and use alcohol or incapacitating drugs on unsuspecting tourists to rob and/or sexually assault them. These so-called date-rape drugs disorient the victim and can cause prolonged unconsciousness and serious medical problems. To lower your risk, travel in groups, don't leave food or drinks unattended in public places, and never allow a stranger to give you a drink.

Murder: Since September 2009, at least four U.S. citizens in Ecuador have been victims of murder. In most cases, the victims and alleged perpetrators personally knew each other. Investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators is the responsibility of the Ecuadorian government, and do not proceed with the speed and thoroughness we are accustomed to in the United States. Although the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulate General monitor and encourage these investigations, our ability to intervene is extremely limited. The Ecuadorian government has established an emergency hotline that callers can use to inform police about murders or contract killings. The number is 1-800-DELITO (1800 335486).

Credit Card Fraud: Increasing numbers of U.S. citizens in Ecuador have fallen victim to fraud related to their credit or debit cards. "Skimming," the theft of credit card informationduring an otherwise legitimate transaction, is most likely to occur in restaurants or bars, where the skimmer takes the victim's card out of the owner's view. To avoid skimming, take the credit/debit card to the register yourself and never let the card out of your sight. Also, be sure to monitor your bank account or credit card statement frequently.

Staying Alert in Quito: Stay particularly alert for crime on the crowded streets of south Quito, at the Panecillo, the Historic District, and in the areas of El Tejar, Parroquia San Sebastian, Avenida Cristobal Colon, and Gonzalez Suarez. Quito's Mariscal Sucre district, a popular tourist area with restaurants, bars, hotels, hostels, and shopping, is increasingly a site of crimes; reported incidents in recent years range from petty theft and sexual assault to shootings. In Mariscal Sucre, travel in groups when possible, avoid hailing taxis off the street or using unofficial taxis, and exercise caution in the early morning hours. Outside the city, stay alert if hiking to the summit of Pichincha, as violent crime has been known to occur there.

Staying Alert in Guayaquil and Elsewhere on the Coast: In Guayaquil, visitors should exercise extreme caution in the downtown area and the southern part of the city. Tourist sites such as the Christ statue (Sagrado Corazon de Jesus) on Cerro del Carmen, the Malecon 2000, and Las Peñas, though well-patrolled by police, are still targeted by criminals hoping to prey on unsuspecting tourists. There have also been reports of armed robberies at restaurants in the fashionable areas of Urdesa and Samborondon.

At the airport in both Quito and Guayaquil, arriving passengers have been targeted by armed robbers who follow them from the airport to rob them. Cases have been reported involving multiple vehicles that cut off and intercept the victim as well as just a single motorcycle rider who robs the victim while they are getting out of their car. The perpetrators appear to focus on travelers who are returning from overseas trips laden with gifts and large amounts of cash.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Ecuador, you are subject to Ecuadorian laws even though you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. Criminal penalties will vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States. For example, you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is also a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Ecuador, your U.S. passport won't help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It's very important to know what's legal and what's not where you are going.

If you are arrested in Ecuador, under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and customary international law, you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Outside of Quito and Guayaquil, awareness of international protocols is uneven. If you are arrested in Ecuador, request that the Ecuadorian authorities do this on your behalf. Please note, however, that the U.S. government has no authority to intervene in Ecuadorian legal matters.

Don't buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal to bring back into the United States, if you purchase them, you may also be breaking local law.

Drug Trafficking: Each year, approximately 20 to 25 U.S. citizens are arrested by Ecuadorian authorities for attempting to traffic drugs between Ecuador and the United States, or between mainland Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands. Many of those arrested claim not to have known they were transporting drugs. Under no circumstances should you ever accept gifts, packages, or suitcases from anyone you do not trust and know well. If you are arrested for drug trafficking, you can expect to serve a lengthy period in pre-trial detention, and if convicted you will likely be sentenced to a long prison term and fined heavily. In nearly all cases, U.S. citizens convicted of drug trafficking in Ecuador must serve their sentences in Ecuador, where conditions of confinement are harsh and far below U.S.

Medical Facilities and Health Information

Adequate medical and dental care is available in the major cities of Ecuador. In smaller communities and in the Galápagos Islands, services are limited, and the quality is generally well below U.S. standards. Ambulances, with or without trained emergency staff, are in short supply in cities, but even more so in rural areas.

Pharmacies are readily available in any city; however, you might find that the availability of some medications is sporadic, and formulations and brand names will differ from products available in the United States. Narcotics and tranquilizers are extremely limited in availability. Pharmacists sometimes dispense medications without requesting a prescription. These individuals may have little training and often prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics. Consider any advice from them accordingly. Folk healers and traditional markets in some parts of the country offer herbal and folk remedies. You should exercise caution when exploring these remedies, as the formulations can be questionable and some components may interact with other prescription medications.

Many tropical diseases are present in Ecuador, including malaria, dengue and yellow fever (which are transmitted by mosquitoes at lower altitudes), leishmaniaisis (transmitted by sand flies), chagas disease (transmitted by triatomine bugs) and tuberculosis (transmitted from person to person via respiratory droplets). To protect yourself from insect-borne diseases while at lower altitudes, use insect repellants, clothing treated with permethrin, and bed nets.

In Ecuador, yellow fever is found only in the Amazon basin. Ecuadorian authorities might require you to show a certificate of yellow fever vaccination when entering or leaving this area, or when continuing travel to other areas of South America. If possible, you should obtain a yellow fever vaccine prior to departure from the United States. You can also obtain the vaccination in Guayaquil from the Jefatura Provincial de Salud, Panama y Padre Aguirre, (tel): 04-230-3160, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The vaccine is free if you do not need an international certification; otherwise it costs $10.40. Antimalarial medication significantly reduces the risk of contracting malaria. There are no vaccines or prophylactic medications for dengue, leishmaniaisis or chagas. If you become ill with fever or flu-like symptoms during or after travel in a high-risk area, you should promptly seek medical attention. Note that the onset of these diseases may be delayed by up to a year.

Your Health and High Altitudes: If you travel to Quito (elevation: 9,400 feet) or other highland areas, you will typically require some time to adjust to the altitude, which can adversely affect your blood pressure, digestion, and energy level. Mountain climbers in particular should be cautioned not to underestimate the time required to adjust before beginning a challenging climb at altitude. Consult with your personal health care providers before undertaking high-altitude travel, as there are medications available to help combat the effects. If you have heart or lung problems or the sickle cell trait, you may develop serious health complications at high altitudes.

Safety and Security

Natural Disasters: Ecuador has many active and potentially active volcanoes, including around the capital of Quito and other popular tourist destinations. Other potential environmental threats include flooding, earthquakes, and tsunamis. In the event of a natural disaster, transportation, water, communications, and power systems may fail due to damaged infrastructure or heavy ash fall. Roads may close and flights in or out of Ecuadorian airports might be cancelled due to adverse conditions.

Three active volcanoes within 100 kilometers of Quito threaten the city primarily with ash fall. Baños, a popular tourist destination, is located at the base of the Tungurahua volcano. Tungurahua has erupted explosively several times in the last decade, including several eruptions throughout 2010 and 2011 that produced significant ash fall. Travelers to Baños, especially on the western side of town, should be aware that mud or lava flows could pose a significant and immediate threat. If you are in Baños when a volcanic eruption occurs, stay alert to the sirens and instructions from local authorities, and follow the arrows on the street to reach the evacuation shelters in the Santa Ana neighborhood on the main road on the east side of town, towards Puyo.

Earthquakes sometimes trigger deadly tsunamis, which could strike coastal areas of Ecuador or the Galápagos Islands. Ecuadorian national authorities put out warnings of potential tsunamis, but the response on the local level is uneven, and on one recent occasion in the Galapagos Islands, there was no coordinated evacuation when a tsunami struck.

Ecuador's National Risk Management Secretariat and the Ecuadorian Geophysical Institute monitor Ecuadorian volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis in Ecuador, issuing regular reports on their activity. In the event of a natural disaster, pay close attention to the news media for updates.

Civil Unrest: Political demonstrations occur frequently throughout Ecuador. During demonstrations, protesters often block city streets and rural highways, including major arteries such as the Pan American Highway, disrupting public and private transportation. Protesters sometimes burn tires, throw rocks, damage cars and other personal property, and on occasion detonate small improvised explosive devices. Police response to demonstrations varies, but may include water cannons and tear gas. U.S. citizens and U.S.-affiliated interests are not usually targeted, but you should avoid areas where demonstrations are in progress and be prepared with back-up transportation plans. Peaceful demonstrations can turn violent with little or no warning, and you could become a target.

Northern Border Region: Due to the spread of organized crime, drug and small-arms trafficking, and incursions by terrorist organizations near Ecuador's border with Colombia, the U.S. Embassy in Quito advises caution when traveling to northern Ecuador, including the provinces of Sucumbios, northern Orellana (including the city of Coca), Carchi, and northern Esmeraldas (including the city of Esmeraldas). U.S. government personnel are prohibited from traveling to the northern border unless case-specific permission is granted. Embassy personnel are not permitted to go to this region on personal travel of any kind. At least 11 U.S. citizens are known to have been kidnapped in this region during the past 11 years.

Safety in the Galapagos Islands: The Galápagos archipelago is located more than 600 miles to the west of continental Ecuador. Geographic isolation and the lack of local resources may present challenges to travelers there. Dangers posed by lax enforcement of marine safety laws and rudimentary medical facilities are exacerbated by the difficulty of performing evacuations from the islands. A significant number of Ecuadorian tour vessels operating in the Galápagos do not meet international safety standards. The Government of Ecuador requires that vessels carrying more than 16 passengers comply with the International Safety Management Code established by the International Maritime Organization. However, the quality of oversight, crewmember proficiency, and other requisites for safe vessel operation may vary substantially. Travelers should inquire about safety features when boarding vessels. Be sure to look for life boats, flotation devices and, if possible, take a moment to inspect the life vest you would be using if there were an accident.

Medical resources in the Galápagos Islands are severely limited. Acute surgical, cardiac, and other types of specialty medicine are not available. There are two hospitals, located on the Santa Cruz and San Cristobal Islands. These facilities have limited personnel and resources, and often do not have basic medical supplies. Some cruise ships have on-board physicians available, who charge a fee for their services. Scuba divers in the Galápagos Islands should be aware of limited facilities for decompression. Serious injury or illness in the Galápagos typically requires costly medical evacuation to the Ecuadorian mainland or the United States for treatment. Medical evacuations by air ambulance can run upwards of $50,000 and take significant time to arrange. For that reason, the purchase of traveler's health insurance that includes air evacuation is strongly recommended.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions

Although some of Ecuador's roads and highways have greatly improved in recent years,road travel throughout Ecuador can still be dangerous, especially at night. Some roads are poorly maintained, or affected by heavy rains and mudslides. Mountain roads may lack safety features such as crash barriers or guard rails, and conditions are frequently made more treacherous by heavy fog. Highways are often unmarked and unlit, and do not have signs indicating destinations. In addition, slow-moving buses and trucks frequently stop in the middle of the road unexpectedly. In the countryside, livestock is often herded along roads or grazes on roadsides. Lacking sidewalks, many roads are also used by pedestrians.

Driving practices differ from U.S. standards, and drivers often disobey traffic laws and signals. In all areas, buses stop without warning to pick up or drop off passengers. Drivers often turn right and left from any lane and rarely yield to pedestrians and cyclists. You might encounter intoxicated drivers at any time, though the chances of a drunk-driving accident are higher on weekends and Ecuadorian holidays. On the coast in particular, many vehicles are poorly maintained and breakdowns are common.

If you are the driver of a vehicle involved in an automobile accident, even if you are not at fault, you may be taken into police custody, especially if injuries are involved or if you do not have insurance. If injuries or damages are serious, you may face criminal charges.

Driver's Licenses: You may drive in Ecuador using your state-issued driver's license for up to 90 days. If you are staying in Ecuador for a prolonged period, you should contact the Comision de Transito del Ecuador to obtain a valid driver's license.

Importing a Vehicle: You should investigate local regulations before attempting to import any vehicle into Ecuador on a temporary or permanent basis. If you are able to register a vehicle in Ecuador, you will be required to buy local liability insurance, called SOAT.

Bus Travelers: Intra- and inter-city bus passengers are often targets of crime, including robbery and sexual assault. Numerous bus accidents occur every year in Ecuador, and many buses are overcrowded, poorly maintained, and lack seat belts or other safety features. In Guayaquil, security on public transportation is a major concern. Armed criminals have been known to board local city buses and rob passengers of jewelry, money, and other valuables. There have been instances in which routes between cities are blocked by criminals, who force the bus to stop and then board the bus to rob passengers.

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Ecuador | Culture, Facts & Travel | - CountryReports

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What makes Ecuador a unique country to travel to? Ecuador is a Spanish-speaking country approximately the size of Colorado. It has a democratically elected government. In general, tourist facilities are adequate but vary in quality. Crime is a significant concern. Ecuador uses the U.S. dollar as its official currency, and U.S.

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Ecuador is located in the western corner at the top of the South American continent. Ecuador is named after the Equator, the imaginary line around the Earth that splits the country in two. Most of the country is in the Southern Hemisphere.

Ecuador is roughly the size of Colorado and is bordered by Colombia and Peru. The high Andes Mountains form the backbone of the country. Cotopaxi in the Andes is the highest active volcano in the world.

The Galápagos Islands, 596 miles (960 kilometers) west of the mainland of Ecuador are part of Ecuador and are home to unique reptiles, birds, and plants. The Costa, or coastal plain region is where many of the world's bananas are grown. The Sierra is also made up of farmland. The Oriente is east of the Andes and is rich in oil.
Map created by National Geographic Maps

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Ecuador Country Profile - National Geographic Kids

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Ecuador is located in the western corner at the top of the South American continent.

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Relief

Ecuador straddles part of the Andes Mountains and occupies part of the Amazon basin. Situated on the Equator, from which its name derives, it borders Colombia to the north, Peru to the east and the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It includes the Pacific archipelago of the Galapagos Islands (Archipiélago de Colón).

The Ecuadoran mainland is divided into three main physical regions: the Costa (coastal region), the Sierra (highland region), and the Oriente (eastern region).

The Costa is composed of lowlands that extend eastward from the Pacific Ocean to the western edge of the Andes and rise from sea level to an elevation of 1,650 feet (500 metres). Running north-south, small coastal mountain ranges-the Colonche, Chindul, and Mache mountains-rise to 2,600 feet (800 metres). Between these coastal ranges and the Andes, interior valleys are mantled with silt deposits left by rivers that largely drain into the Gulf of Guayaquil. Puná, in the gulf, is the major island.

The Sierra includes two high mountain chains and their western and eastern foothills. The western and central ranges of the Andes bordering the Sierra constitute the country's highest and most continuous mountain chains. Many peaks are volcanic or snow-covered; these include Cayambe (18,996 feet [5,790 metres]), Antisana (18,714 feet [5,704 metres]), Cotopaxi, which is one of the world's highest active volcanoes (19,347 feet [5,897 metres]), Chimborazo (20,702 feet [6,310 metres]), Altar (17,451 feet [5,319 metres]), and Sangay (17,158 feet [5,230 metres]). These are included in two ranges connected at intervals by transversal mountain chains, between which are large isolated valleys or basins, called hoyas.

To the east of the main ranges are peaks Reventador (11,434 feet [3,485 metres]) and Sumaco (12,759 feet [3,889 metres]); the Cordillera de Cutucú, which borders the Upano valley and includes the central peaks; and the Cordillera del Cóndor to the south, which borders the Zamora valley. Beyond this eastern cordillera, to the east, is the Amazon basin, extending below 900 feet (300 metres).

The volcanic Galapagos Islands consist of 19 rugged islands and scores of islets and rocks situated about 600 miles (900 km) west of the mainland. The largest island, Isabela (Albemarle), rises to 5,541 feet (1,689 metres) at Mount Azul, the archipelago's highest point. The second largest island is Santa Cruz.

Because Ecuador is situated on the Ring of Fire-the long horseshoe-shaped seismically active belt of earthquake epicentres, volcanoes, and tectonic plate boundaries that fringes the Pacific basin-it has experienced several significant and deadly earthquakes.

Drainage

Numerous rivers originate in the mountains, pass through the hoyas of the Sierra, and flow either west to the Pacific coast or east to the Amazon River. In the Sierra the rivers are torrential in their upper courses and become calmer in the plains areas but nonetheless remain unnavigable.

The main watercourse of the Costa is the Guayas River. Formed by the juncture of the Daule and Babahoyo rivers and their affluents, the Guayas River is navigable for the greater part of its course. Other rivers that flow to the ocean include the Cayapas, the Esmeraldas, the Naranjal, the Jubones, and the Santa Rosa.

The rivers of the Oriente carry the greatest volume of water. The most important is the Napo River, which receives the Coca and Aguarico rivers as well as other large tributaries as it takes its course toward Peru, where it joins the Amazon River. Other large rivers include the Pastaza, Morona, and Santiago, all of which drain into the Marañón River in Peru.

Soils

Ecuador's soils are among the most varied on Earth. Volcanic activity at higher elevations in the Andes has resulted in the formation of fertile volcanic and prairie soils, called andosols and mollisols, with dark surface layers rich in organic matter. However, the soils are typically underlain by a yellow hardpan, locally called cangahua, which is often exposed on eroded steeper slopes. The eroded topsoil accumulates on lower slopes and especially on flats, which form the most desirable locations for agriculture. Indigenous people, over thousands of years, developed effective methods for the fertilization of these soils, including the use of manure, the mounding of fertilizing muck from drainage ditches, the creation of raised fields, and the use of irrigation canals.

In the Costa the floodplains of the Guayas and other rivers have accumulated fertile silts from the highlands. These coastal soils are of great fertility but often consist of clays that are subject to shrinking and swelling and thus present problems for construction. The effectiveness of traditional methods of managing these soils has come to be more widely recognized, and such prehistoric techniques as embanked fields for runoff management ( albarradas) and raised fields (artificially constructed earthen platforms built on shallow lakes or marshy areas) have been studied by development experts.

In the Amazon basin, soils have not been fully studied and mapped; nevertheless, it appears that soils there are quite diverse, including areas of fertile alluvial soil, organic soils called histosols, and more-weathered tropical soils called oxisols. The latter may be used for crops with appropriate technology, such as shifting cultivation or agroforestry (crops and useful trees managed together), but some agronomists suggest that they are better utilized for timber and other renewable tropical forest products.

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Ecuador | History, Flag, Capital, Map, Currency, Population, Language, & Facts

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Geographical and historical treatment of Ecuador, country of northwestern South America. One of the world's most environmentally diverse countries, it has contributed notably to environmental science. Much of what is now Ecuador was part of the Inca empire, pre-Columbian America's largest political unit.

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Uruguay Facts for Kids | Uruguay for Kids | Geography | Travel | Food

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Our Uruguay Facts for Kids tell you all about country and people, famous landmarks, animals, food in Uruguay, the South African country's economy and much more

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Facts for Kids | Geography, Attractions, People, Animals, Food

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Here are some interesting Bolivia facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids.

Bolivia for Kids

Population: 12 million people live in Bolivia (2022)

Capital: Bolivia has two capitals, La Paz and Sucre. La Paz is the administrative capital with the seat of government and Sucre is the capital as described in the Bolivian constitution. La Paz has a population of about 1.8 million people. Sucre has about 300,000 inhabitants.

Name: Plurinational State of Bolivia; in short: Bolivia

Government: Democracy; Presidential Republic

Official Languages: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, Guarani.

Literacy: 95% of all over 15 years can read and write

Religion: mainly Christians (Roman Catholics 77%)

Currency: 1 Bolivian 'boliviano' = 100 centavos/cents

National Anthem: "Bolivianos, el Hado Propicio" (in English: "Bolivians, a most favorable destiny")

National Symbols: Llama, Andean Condor

National Colours: Red, yellow, green

National Day: 6 August (Independence Day)

History: Before the Spanish started colonising the region, the area around today's Bolivia belonged to the Inca Empire. The conquistadores from Spain took control of the region in the 16th century. Bolivia gained independence (from Spain) in 1825. The country is named after South American freedom fighter Simón Bolivar.

Bolivia Facts | Bolivia Map | Where is Bolivia?

Bolivia is a landlocked country on the South American continent.

Bolivia is located to the southwest of Brazil and shares borders with Argentina, Paraguay, Chile and Peru. The longest border is shared with Brazil though.

Bolivia covers about the same land area as Ethiopia, or is twice as big as Spain. Bolivia is less than three times the size of the state of Montana/USA.

A flight to La Paz takes about 17 hours from London, and about 12.5 hours from New York.

Bolivia Facts | Bolivia Geography Superlatives

Bolivia is a landlocked country. This means the country does not share any border with an ocean.

The country has two capital cities: Sucre and La Paz. La Paz is the highest capital city in the world at 3,650 m/ 11,975 ft.

The highest peak in Bolivia is the Nevado Sajama with 6,542 m/ 21,463 ft. This mountain is an extinct volcano.

Bolivia's largest lake is Lake Titicaca, which it shares with Peru. Lake Titicaca is the world's highest navigable lake at 3,805 m/ 12,483 ft. There are regular border disputes over access to Lake Titicaca with Peru.

The world's highest flat salt pan is called Salar de Uyuni and is located at 3,656 m/ 11,995 ft.

The country has many different landscapes. There are the highlands with rough and icy mountainous areas and volcanoes and then there are dense rainforests in the Amazon basin.

Thus the climate is also very diverse. Western Bolivia is generally colder due its high altitude - similar to the Andes highlands. The mean elevation is 1,192 m/ 3910 ft.

The eastern side of Bolivia is warmer, and it can get very hot in the plains and humid in the rainforest region of the Amazon basin.

Bolivia Facts: The biggest cities in Bolivia are:

Santa Cruz de la Sierra with 1.8 million inhabitants

La Paz with 1.8 million inhabitants

Cochabamba with 1.4 million inhabitants

There are several active volcanos in the Andes Mountains on the border with Chile. The last volcanic eruption was in 1995 at the Irruputuncu volcano.

Bolivia Facts | Attractions and Landmarks

La Paz: Bolivia's largest city has a scenic location in the Andes mountains and offers many attractions such as the Old Town and Murillo Square. Make sure to take a ride on the world's highest urban cable car that connects La Paz with El Alto or visit the famous Witches' Market.

Sucre: The beautiful historic city is the official national capital. Here the independence from Spain was proclaimed. There are many beautiful churches and the Templo de San Felipe Neri is a masterpiece completed in 1800.

Santa Cruz: The most important business centre in the country and second largest city of Bolivia has many cultural attractions such as churches, museums and art galleries. Santa Cruz is often called the "economic and agricultural powerhouse of Bolivia."

Isla del Sol: Visit the 'Isla del Sol' ('Sun Island' in English) for exploring ancient Inca ruins, amazing views and great hikes. Isla del Sol is the biggest island in Lake Titicaca.

Amboró National Park: This national park in central Bolivia to the west of the city of Santa Cruz is famous for its flora and fauna. Jaguars, giant anteaters and rare mammals are home here. Over 800 bird species live here, this is more than bird species exist in Canada!

Altiplano: This is the largest high plateau in the world after Tibet. This high plateau region of the Andes mountains is shared with other South American countries Peru, Argentina and Chile, but the Bolivian Altiplano is most extensive and is dominated by volcanoes. On the Altiplano you can see strangely odd rock formations that were created by wind erosion.

Bolivia Facts | Bolivian People

Most of the Bolivians (70%) live in urban areas. Bolivia is home to the largest indigenous population in Latin America followed by Guatemala and Peru.

There are also 36 indigenous languages recognised in Bolivia but the four languages Spanish, Quechua, Aymara and Guarani are the most used official languages.

Bolivia has the highest inequality of all Latin American countries. There are some very rich people while the majority of the country is extremely poor. The educational standards are said to be very low especially in rural areas.

Half of all Bolivians are very poor. Most of the Bolivians are ' mestizo' which means they are of mixed race with indigenous white ancestors.

Some Bolivians have moved to Argentina and Brazil, some even as far away as to the USA and Spain. In recent years many people flee poverty to seek better chances in life.

There is compulsory military service for all Bolivian citizens. Boys and girls have to join the military for a one-year-training when they turn 18 years of age. But some boys join the army already when they are only 14 years old.

The sports that are the most popular in Bolivia are soccer (called fútbol), tennis, swimming, horse riding and cycling. Soccer is the most popular sports activity.

Bolivia Facts | Bolivia Economy

About half of all Bolivians work either in the service sector of the cities. About a quarter of the people each work in the mines or in the agricultural sector.

Natural gas, silver and zinc are the most important export products of the country.

Soy beans are the main agricultural crop in Bolivia. There are more than 14,000 soy bean producers in the country. Soy bean crops cover about 45% of the agricultural land area in the country.

Bolivia produces also many agricultural products, such as soybeans, quinoa, sugarcane, coffee, corn and Brazil nuts.

Bolivia is the biggest Brazil nuts grower in the world in 2021- not Brazil!

The main export partners of Bolivia are Argentina, Brazil, the UAE and India. The main import partners are Brazil, chile and China.

Bolivia Facts | Animals in Bolivia

The national animals of Bolivia are the Andean condor and the llama.

Llamas grow up to 1.8 m/ 5.8 ft tall. They weigh up to 200 kg/ 440 lbs and grow around 20 years old. Llamas live in herds and have a dense wooly coat. Below see a llama on the Altiplano, the Bolivian highlands.

Sometimes people mistake alpacas for llamas. This is how you can distinguish between a llama and an alpaca:

Llamas are much bigger and heavier than alpacas. They have long curved ears which are often referred to as banana-shaped and they have a straight back. Llamas are often kept as guard animals and for packing and carrying loads.

A llama has a very coarse outer coat but the wool is not as fine and silky as the alpaca's wool. Alpacas have more hair in the face and on the top of the head. Below see an alpaca with baby.

In Bolivia, there are jaguars, pumas, capybaras, chinchillas and the Andean flamingoes. Did you know that the Andean flamingo is one of the rarest flamingo species in the world?

Bolivia is the sixth most diverse country in regards to bird species! There are over 1,400 bird species in Bolivia, which is quite a bit more than bird species counted in Canada and the USA combined!

Bolivia Facts | Bolivian Food

Typical Bolivian food consists of a variety of fruits and vegetables. However, meat such as beef, pork and chicken is also part of the traditional dishes.

These are some typical Bolivian snacks and dishes:

Choclo: corn on the cob

Sopa de Mani: soup made with creamed peanuts, vegetables and pasta

Saltenas: traditional Bolivian savoury pastries usually filled with meaty stew but often also containing eggs, olives or even raisins

food prepared on a grill or over open fire as part of a barbecue (BBQ) as is popular in Argentina

Fried Fish: Especially fried trout and kingfish is popular in the region around Lake Titicaca.

: typical side dish similar to potato chips, but made with fried cassava (yucca or yuca) sticks.

Majadito: Traditional fried rice dish with dried meat, fried egg and plantains.

Resources for Bolivia Facts

Central Intelligence Agency. "Bolivia." CIA WorldFactBook. Last updated 19 October 2022. Last accessed 21 October 2022

Soy Sucre. "San Felipe Neri." SoySucreBolivia. Last accessed 21 October 2022

Charis Barks. "10.000 Facts about Beautiful Bolivia." Boliviabella. First accessed on 18 September 2017. Last accessed 21 October 2022

"Mi Teleferico: La Paz's Cable Car System." . Last accessed 21 October 2022

"Explore Bolivia - Destinations." Bolivian Life. Last accessed 21 October 2022

Don Quijote. " Bolivian Culture." Ideal Education Groupe. First accessed on 21 October 2022. Last accessed 18 February 2021

The Children's Visual World Atlas (2004). "Bolivia." Sydney: Fog City Press

Earth Condensed (2010). "The World Atlas." Elanora Heights: Millennium House

Image Credits on Bolivia Facts page: Shutterstock.com and own images. Many Thanks to a wonderful Grade 4 student from the Montessori Education Centre in Alexandria/USA for his input on this Bolivia Facts page! Your help is much appreciated!
Bolivia Facts | Popular Pages

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Bolivia Facts for Kids | Geography, Attractions, People, Animals, Food

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Here are some interesting Bolivia facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids. Population: 12 million people live in Bolivia (2022) Capital: Bolivia has two capitals, La Paz and Sucre. La Paz is the administrative capital with the seat of government and Sucre is the capital as described in the Bolivian constitution.

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Interesting Facts for Kids

Here are some interesting Ecuador Facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids.

Ecuador Facts for Kids | Kids World Travel Guide | Updated 24 September 2021

Population: 17.5 million people live in Ecuador (2023)

Capital: Quito with almost 2 million inhabitants

Name: República del Ecuador (Republic of Ecuador)

Government: Democracy, Republic

Language: Spanish

Literacy: More than 92% of the people can read and write.

Religion: mainly Christians (Roman Catholics 69%)

Currency: 1 US Dollar = 100 cents

National Symbols: yellow, blue and red (national colours), Andean condor (national bird)

National Day: 10 August (Independence Day)

History: Amerindians were the earliest settlers in the region which later became part of the Inca empire. The region was colonised by the Spanish in 16th century. Ecuador proclaimed independence in 1809 and from 1820 - 1830 was part of Gran Colombia. Only in 1840 the independence of Ecuador was recognised by Spain. Since 15 October 2023, Daniel Noboa is the President of Ecuador. He is 35 years old and the youngest president in Ecuador's history and one of the youngest presidents in the world.

Ecuador Facts | Ecuador Geography

Where is Ecuador? Ecuador is located on the South American continent.

Ecuador borders the Pacific Ocean to the west and two South American countries to the north, east and south.

These two bordering countries are Colombia and Peru. Colombia is located to the north and Peru to the east and south of Ecuador. The longer borders is shared with P eru and this border is 1,529 km/ 950 miles long.

Ecuador is located on the Equator, more exactly between2°N and 5°S latitudes.

The capital city Quito is located on the mountain plateau in between the coastal mountains and the Andes mountains.

The climate in Ecuador is mostly tropical but has a temperate highland climate in the country's centre.

Ecuador has coastal plains, a central highland called sierra and rolling hills and flats in the Amazon region. The country has four main regions: The coast, the highlands, Amazonía (in the east) and the Galápagos islands.

Ecuador is slightly smaller than the state of Nevada in the USA. Ecuador is a bit smaller than Italy, but bigger in land area than New Zealand.

A flight from Barcelona/Spain to Quito/Ecuador takes roughly 8 hours and from New York/USA a flight takes 9 hours.

Ecuador Facts | Geo Superlatives

The capital city of Ecuador, Quito, is the second highest capital in the world (after La Paz in Bolivia) and the closest capital to the equator. Quito's elevation is 2,850 m/ 9,350 ft above sea level.

The highest mountain of Ecuador is the Volcano Chimborazo with 6,268 m/ 20,564 ft. The top is the earth closest point to the sun and the farthest point from the center of our Earth.

Agoyan waterfall, which is 61 m/ 200 ft high, is today the highest waterfall in Ecuador. Before February 2020, the San Rafael waterfalls with 150 m/490 ft were the tallest waterfall in Ecuador, but it disappeared after a sinkhole diverted the waters and created three smaller waterfalls instead.

Ecuador has a coastline which is 2,337 km/ 1,452 miles long.

The longest river in Ecuador is the Rio Napo which flows through the northeastern parts of the country.

Ecuador has two time zones which includes the Galápagos Islands (UTC-6).

Ecuador Facts | Landmarks and Attractions

Quito: Ecuador's capital city is close to the volcano Cotopaxi which is located about 50 km/ 31 miles to the south of Quito. Cotopaxi is one of the highest active volcanos in the world.

Quilotoa Crater Lake: The crater lake is 250 m/ 820 ft deep. This crater lake formed about 800 years ago after a massive eruption of the volcano. You can walk down the crater of this dormant volcano and take a swim in the clear waters of this lake.

s Cuenca: This city in the Southern Andes region is known for its Cathedral Nueva with the blue domes and historic colonial centre. The full name of the city iSanta Ana de los Cuatros Ríos de Cuenca. There are four rivers that flow through this city. This is actually the place where the typical 'Panama hats' originate from!

Yasuní National Park in eastern Ecuador is one of the places with the most biological diversity in the world. There are millions of plant, birds, insects and mammal species. There are over 120 reptile species in the park.

Salinas is one of the most important spa towns in Ecuador. The city is also known for its beautiful beaches

The Galápagos Islands are an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean and are located about 900 km/ 555 miles off the Ecuadorian coastline. These islands are known for their rich biodiversity.

Ecuador Facts | Ecuador People

The majority of Ecuadorians live in the central provinces of the country, the Andes mountains or along the Pacific coast. Most of the population (64%) live in urban centres.

The five largest cities in Ecuador are:

Almost a quarter of the population (22%) lives below the poverty line. Poverty and income inequality affect mainly the rural population or the indigenous people.

In rural areas, only 10% of the children go on to high school.

Most Chileans are of mixed white and native American ancestry, about 71% are referred to as mestizo (of mixed ancestry).

The indigenous population in Ecuador counts about 1.1 million people with 14 indigenous nationalities. 24% of the indigenous people live in the Amazon region.

The biggest indigenous group are the Quechua ( Kichwa). Most of them live in the southern highlands and on the Galápagos islands.

Most people work in the services sector in Ecuador and one quarter of the population is working in the agricultural sector.

Ecuador Facts
Languages in Ecuador

The official languages of Ecuador is Spanish. Spanish is widely used in education.

Quechua is the most spoken native language. There are also several other Amerindian languages spoken in Ecuador. Among them are Awá which is spoken by the Awá people, A'lingae, spoken by the Cofan people and Shuar Chicham, which is spoken by the Shuar people.

Ecuador Facts | Ecuador Economy

The main natural resources of Ecuador are petroleum, fish, timber and hydropower.

Ecuador is the largest producer and exporter of bananas in the world.

Among Ecuador's main exports are: petroleum, bananas, cut flowers, shrimp, cacao, coffee, wood, fish

Ecuador's main trading partners are the USA, China, Vietnam and the South American countries Colombia, Peru and Chile.

The US dollar became Ecuador's currency in 2001 after the a banking crisis in the country hit the economy hard.

Ecuador Facts | Food in Ecuador

Plantains, potatoes, quinoa and cassava, also called yuca, as well as corn are staple foods in Ecuador. Along the coast many dishes also include fresh fish or seafood while chicken, pork and beef are popular in the highlands.

Fruits such as bananas, mangos and passion fruits as well as cocoa beans are also commonly used in many dishes. Ecuadorian a rriba cocoa is often said to make the best chocolate with the finest aroma.

Encebollado: this soup is often considered the national dish of Ecuador. The spicy soup is made with with albacore (long fin tuna), cassava, onion, and cilantro. The soup is usually served with fried plantains ( patacones) or white rice and bread.

Typical Ecuadorian food and drinks include:

Encocado: this fish or seafood dish is made with spicy coconut sauce and usually accompanied by rice

Mote pillo: a traditional dish consisting of a variety of corn cooked and seasoned with egg, onions, salt and parsley

Tortilla de yuca: a typical flat pancake made with cassava is especially popular in the Amazons villages

Patacones: green fried plantains, similar to thick potato chips or thick French fries

Colada Morado: drink made with black corn flour is served with typical bread dolls on the Day of the Dead on 2 November

Pastel de Tres Leches: this cake is made with three kinds of milk (condensed milk, evaporated milk and cream) and is very delicious.

and yes, guinea pig or cuy is deemed a delicacy in Ecuador.

Ecuador Facts | Animals in Ecuador

Ecuador is one of the 17 megadiverse countries for its unique biodiversity. The country has the most biodiversity per square kilometer of any nation.

Blue footed boobies can be encountered in many tropical places of the Pacific Ocean. About half of these marine birds nest in the Galápagos Islands.

Marine iguanas are endemic to the Galapagos Islands as well. Endemic means, the marine iguanas only live there.

There are five other species of iguanas encountered in Ecuador and in the city of Guayaquil, you might even see these huge reptiles roaming the parks of the city.

Did you know...?

There are over 350 varieties of corn grown in Ecuador. Corn is eaten boiled and steamed or as popcorn and used in many dishes such as the popular mote pillo.

We hope you enjoyed our Ecuador Facts for Kids. Keep us bookmarked and contact us to join our school project to share your insights and country facts about Ecuador.

Ecuador Facts | Resources

Resources and further reading for Ecuador Facts:

Ecuador Travel. "Ecuador - Home of Cocoa." EcuadorTravel. Last accessed 24 September 2021

Central Intelligence Agency. "Ecuador." World Fact Book. 15 August 2023. Last accessed 23 August 2023

International Workgroup for Indigenous Affaires. "Indigenous Peoples in Ecuador." . Last accessed 23 August 2023

Tropical Herping. "Iguanas - Reptiles of Ecuador." . Last accessed 23 August 2023

Matt Blitz. "This Park in Ecuador is One of the Most Biodiverse Places on Earth." Smithsonian Magazine. 22 May 2015. Last accessed 23 August 2023

Robert Levy/NASA. "The Disappearance of Ecuador's Tallest Waterfalls." The Earth Observatory. Last accessed 23 August 2023

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Interesting Facts for Kids

Here are some interesting Guyana Facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids.

Guyana for Kids

Population: about 790,000 people live in Guyana (2021)

Capital: Georgetown with 110,000 inhabitants

Name: Guyana, formerly British Guiana

Government: Parliamentary Republic

Official Language: English

Literacy: More than 88% of the people can read and write.

Religion: mainly Christian (63%) Hindu (25%) and Muslim (7%)

Currency: Guyanese dollar

National Symbols: Waterlily (national flower), jaguar (national animal)

Motto: "One people, one nation, one destiny"

National Holiday: 23 February (Republic Day)

National Anthem: "Dear Land of Guyana, of Rivers, of Plains"

History: Guyana has been settled by indigenous peoples for a long time before the Dutch and British colonies arrived at the shores of the country from the 16th century. The Dutch were the first to establish colonies for 1581, the colonies were ceded to the British in 1814 and the colony became known as British Guiana. In 1966, the country gained independence from Britain and then became a republic in 1970. The current president is Mohamed Irfaan Ali.

Guyana Geography

Where is Guyana? Guyana is located on the South American continent bordering the North Atlantic Ocean.

Guyana is one of four South American countries located completely in the Northern Hemisphere. The capital city is called Georgetown.

Below you see a map of Guyana with the three neighbouring countries Venezuela - to the West, Suriname - to the East and Brazil - in the South.

Guyana is roughly double the size of the state of Tennessee/ USA and about the same size as Great Britain, the largest isle of the UK.

To reach Guyana, it takes a 11-hour-flight from London/UK and from New York/USA, a flight takes about 14 hours.

Guyana is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world and more than 75% of the land area are covered by forests.

The landscape is dominated by dense rainforest to north, west and the south, some desert and savanna areas in extreme western parts as well as coastal plains along the coastline where most of the people live.

Guyana Geo Superlatives

Here are some fascinating facts about Guyana:

Guyana is the third smallest independent country in South America - after Suriname and Uruguay.

This is the only South American country where English is the official language.

Guyana's largest city is the capital city Georgetown.

The country's name 'Guyana' derives from the indigenous world 'Guiana' that means 'land of many waters'

The longest river is the Essequibo which is 1,010 km / 628 miles long.

The highest mountain in Guyana is Mount Roraima with a hight of 2,772 m/ 9,094 ft. Mount Roraima is located at the border with Brazil and Venezuela.

The majestic Kaieteur Falls are the world's largest single drop water falls with a width of 113 m / 371 ft and a hight of 226 m/ 741 ft. Thus the Kaieteur waterfalls are more than four times higher than the Niagara Falls!

Guyana is one of only four South American countries located completely in the Northen Hemisphere, - the others are Venezuela, Suriname and French Guiana.

Guyana Facts | Guyana Landmarks

People in Guyana

The vast majority of the Guyanese people live along the country's Atlantic coastline and around the capital city Georgetown.

Guyana Facts: The biggest ethnic groups in Guyana are the Indo-Guyanese and Afro-Guyanese people and Guyanese people are descendants of :

Indians: their ancestors came from northern India

Africans: their ancestors came from Africa

Creole (mixed white and black)

Amerindians

Europeans

About half the Guyanese are Christians and one quarter are Hindu, while Muslims make up less than one tenth of the population. Folk religions are also practised, often also with the predominant religions. The most celebrated holidays include the Christian holidays Christmas and Easter, the Hindu festival of Holi and the colourful national holiday referred to as ' Mash' or ' Mashramani' that celebrates the anniversary of becoming a republic.

The people mainly communicate in English and Guyanese Creole, which is a language that includes words from English as well as various Indian and African languages. Indigenous languages such as Wai Wai, Macushi or Akawaio are only spoken by few people nowadays.

The most popular sports are cricket, soccer and basketball. Guyana rodeo is an annual event such as the Rupununi that usually takes place every March/April - over the Easter weekend.

Guyana Facts
Guyana Economy

Guyana has resources such as gold, diamonds, bauxite and aluminium ores. In recent years, large oil and gas deposits have been found off the Guyana coast.

Rice, sugar cane and timber are the main agricultural products and are exported to a large part.

The country's most important trading partners are Trinidad and Tobago, the USA, Canada and Portugal.

Guyana Facts
Typical Food in Guyana

The Guyanese cuisine is heavily influenced by the various cooking styles of the Indians, Amerindians and African immigrants. The typical dishes in Guyana contain rice, leafy greens, cassava as well as meats and seafood including shrimps or crabs.

Typical Guyanese food and drinks include:

Pepperpot: stew made with pork, lamb or beef cubes and most commonly eaten also for Christmas. The stew is spiced with peppers, cinnamon and survived with rice or bread.

Metemgee: plantains and cassava stewed with salted fish or meat in a coconut milk

Egg balls: hard-boiled eggs that are coated with spicy cassava dough, rolled in flour and deep fried

Cassava bread: flat bread made with shredded cassava roots, flattened in a pan or cooked on banana leaf

Plantain chips: fried plantain slices are a popular street food

Animals in Guyana

The national animal of Guyana is the jaguar. Other fascinating wildlife are leatherback turtles, caimans, tapirs, tamanduas (anteaters) and pacas (large rodents which are common in Central America too).

Guyana also is home to rare giant otters as well as giant anteaters, that are the largest ant eater species in the world.

Guyana is known for pristine rainforests and very high biodiversity. Over 2,700 plants have been identified in Guyana and a vast number of jungle plants are still unrecorded.

Popular Pages

Useful Resources for Guyana Facts

Central Intelligence Agency. "Guyana" The World Factbook. Last updated 19 July 2021. Accessed 22 July 2021

Explore Guyana. "Guyana Undiscovered." ExploreGuyana.org. Last accessed 22 July 2021

Images on Guyana facts page: Schoolgirls by Natalia Gornyakova/shutterstock.com; various (Georgetown Aerial, Demerara Bridge, Fields, FortZeelandia) by Victor1153/shutterstock.com and own images Return from Guyana Facts to Kids World Travel Guide Homepage

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Guyana Facts for Kids | Guyana for Kids | Geography | Country | People

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Here are some interesting Guyana Facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids. Population: about 790,000 people live in Guyana (2021) Capital: Georgetown with 110,000 inhabitants Name: Guyana, formerly British Guiana Government: Parliamentary Republic Official Language: English Literacy: More than 88% of the people can read and write.

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Interesting Facts for Kids

Here are some interesting Suriname Facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids.

Suriname for Kids

Population: about 600,000 people live in Suriname (2019)

Capital: Paramaribo with 239,000 inhabitants

Name: Republic of Suriname

Government: Presidential Republic

Official Language: Dutch

Literacy: More than 96% of the people can read and write.

Religion: mainly Christian (48%) Hindu (23%) and Muslim (13%)

Currency: 1 Surinamese dollar =100 cents (the symbol is Sr$)

National Symbols: Fayalobi (national flower), royal palm (national tree), jaguar (national animal)

Motto: "Justice, piety and trust"

National Day: 25 November (Independence Day)

History: The country was first colonised by Spanish and English settlers, then Suriname became a Dutch colony in 1667. Therefore it is often referred to as Dutch Guyana and as one of the three Guianas with French Guiana (former French colony) and Guyana (former British colony). When slavery from Africa was abolished, the Dutch settlers brought in slaves from Java (Indonesia) and India, mainly to work on the plantations. Suriname today is an independent country as it gained independence from the Netherlands in 1975.

Suriname Geography

Where is Suriname? Suriname located on the South American continent bordering the Atlantic Ocean. Suriname is the smallest country in South America. The capital city is Paramaribo.

To reach Suriname, it takes a 11-hour-flight from London/UK and from New York/USA, a flight takes about 14 hours.

Below you see a map of Suriname with the neighbouring countries Guyana to the West, French Guiana to the East, Brazil in the South and the Atlantic Ocean in the North.

The small South American country shares borders with three countries: French Guiana (which is an overseas department of France), Guyana and Brazil. Please note that French Guiana is not an independent country.

Suriname is roughly the same size as Tunisia and slightly larger than the state of Georgia in the USA.

Suriname lies just some degrees north of the Equator and has a hot and tropical climate. The landscape is dominated by rolling hills and tropical forests as well as plains and swamps along the coastline.

Suriname Geo Superlatives

Here are some fascinating facts about Suriname:

Suriname is the smallest independent country in South America.

The country has a coastline along the North Atlantic Ocean and the shortest coastline in South America.

Suriname is one of 17 megadiverse countries in regards to biodiversity.

Suriname's biggest city is the capital city Paramaribo.

Over 90% of the country is covered by tropical rain forest .

The country's name 'Suriname' derives from the Surinen people who lived in the area in the 16th century.

Suriname is known for its Dutch sugar plantations.

The longest river in Suriname is the Corantjin River. It has a length of 724 km/450 miles. This river forms the western border between Suriname and French Guiana.

Suriname's highest mountain is called 'Juliana Top' and is 1,230 m/19,020ft. high.

Suriname Attractions and Landmarks

Raleigh Falls and the Voltzberg granite dome are two great nature attractions. The Blanche Marie Falls are another great waterfall to admire.

Paramaribo: The capital city's historic centre is a UNESCO world heritage site.

In Paramaribo you can explore the colonial history, see colonial buildings and be amazed at the huge wooden Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral, that is the biggest wooden structure in the Western Hemisphere. In 2014, Pope Francis designated it a 'Minor Basilica'.

Nieuw Amsterdam: The historic Fort Nieuw Amsterdam just across the Suriname River from Paramaribo, was initially built to defend the colony. In the 18th and 19th century, the fort was converted into a prison and today, it is an open-air museum.

Central Suriname Nature Reserve: Suriname's second world heritage site houses many animals that are protected such as the giant river otter, the giant armadillo or the jaguar.

Brokopondo Reservoir, one of the largest water reservoirs in the world. This man-made lake is located south of Paramaribo and covers almost 1% of the country. With the building of a dam, many villages had to be abandoned when the reservoir was created in 1965.

People in Suriname

Surinamese people are also called Surinamers - this name comes from the Dutch language. Dutch is the official language in Suriname, but most people speak a creole language at home, this creole language is called Sranan.

English is spoken by most people as well and is the second most used language in hotels, shops and businesses.

Suriname Facts: Most Surinamers live in urban areas of the northeastern region of the country and in the capital city. The main ethnic groups in Suriname are:

East Indians or Hindustani (their ancestors came from northern India)

Maroons (their ancestors came from Africa)

Creole (mixed white and black)

Javanese

Amerindians

Europeans

Suriname Facts
Suriname Economy

Suriname is one of the poorest countries in South America with many people living below the poverty line.

However, Suriname has rich bauxite resources as well as some gold, copper, nickel and oil. The country's biggest trading partner are the USA, Switzerland, Hong Kong and the Netherlands.

The major seaports are Paramaribo and Wageningen.

Agricultural products include timber, bananas and rice. Seafood such as yellow-fin tuna is exported as well.

Suriname Facts
Typical Food in Suriname

The Surinamese cuisine is influenced by the various cooking styles of the East-Indians, Amerindians, the Asian and African immigrants. The typical dishes in Suriname contain rice, cassava as well as meats and seafood including shrimps or crabs.

Commonly prepared vegetables are beans, okras and eggplants (also called aubergines). Many dishes are variations of Indonesian or Indian and Asian food so you will easily find dishes such as roti, nasi goreng or saté.

Typical Suriname food and drinks include:

Moksi meti: Mixed meat such as pork or chicken eaten usually with rice and cabbage or pak choy.

Telo bakkeljauw: Fried cassava chips with salted and dried stockfish

Kwie Kwie: Surinamese fish, often used for fish stews or fish curry

Saoto: chicken and noodle soup

Boyo: coconut cookies or coconut cake made with cassava flour.

Animals in Suriname

Suriname is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. There are over 190 species of mammals which include various types of monkey, sloth, ocelot, jaguar or pigs.

There are also lizards, butterflies and colourful birds. The Scarlet Ibis is one of the rare ibis species found in tropical regions of South America and in the Caribbean.

Useful Resources for Suriname Facts
Images on Suriname facts page: shutterstock.com and own images Return from Suriname Facts to Kids World Travel Guide Homepage

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Suriname Facts for Kids | Geography | People | Food | Animals | Travel

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Here are some interesting Suriname Facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids. Population: about 600,000 people live in Suriname (2019) Capital: Paramaribo with 239,000 inhabitants Name: Republic of Suriname Government: Presidential Republic Official Language: Dutch Literacy: More than 96% of the people can read and write.

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Presents an overview, basic information as well as key dates for this small South American country

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Henk E. Chin Associate Professor of Economics, University of Amsterdam. Coauthor of Surinam: Politics, Economics and Society.

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Suriname | History, Geography, Facts, & Points of Interest

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Suriname, country located on the northern coast of South America. Suriname is one of the smallest countries in South America, yet its population is one of the most ethnically diverse in the region. Its economy is dependent on its extensive supply of natural resources, most notably bauxite, of which…

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Interesting Facts for Kids

Here are some interesting Brazil Facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids.

Population: 219 million people live in Brazil (2023)

Capital: Brasilia, with 5 million inhabitants is the country's fourth largest city. The largest city in Brazil is Sao Paulo with about 23 million inhabitants.

Name: Republica Federativa do Brasil, Federative Republic of Brazil

Government: Democracy, Republic

Language: Portuguese

Literacy: More than 91% of the people can read and write.

Religion: mainly Christians (Roman Catholics 65%, Protestants 22%)

Currency: 1 real=100 centavos

National symbols: Jaguar (national animal), macaw (national bird) and cattleya orchid (national flower), national colours: green, yellow and blue, the constellation of the Southern Cross

National anthem: "Hino Nacional Brasileiro"

History: The country was inhabited mainly by semi-nomadic tribes before the arrival of the colonialists. The land was claimed by Portuguese and Portuguese settlers founded the colony in 1532. By the 17th century sugar cane was the main export product and the slave trade brought many African slaves to the country. The Brazilian gold rush attracted many fortune seekers to the country. In 1822, Brazil declared independence from Portugal, although independence was officially recognised by the Portuguese only three years later! Brazil was ruled by various Brazilian emperors until in 1889 it was finally declared a republic. Brazil's president is Luiz Inácio LULA da Silva since January 2023.

National Holiday: 7 September (Independence Day)

Brazil Facts | Geography
Where is Brazil?

Brazil is located on the South American continent. Brazil also belongs to the Latin American countries. The country borders the Atlantic Ocean.

The largest Latin American country shares borders with all other South American countries except for Chile and Ecuador. The longest border is shared with Bolivia and is 3,400 km/ 2,113 miles long.

Below see a map of Brazil with the neighbouring countries and you will find Brazil's capital city: Brasilia.

Regarding the size of Brazil, all the countries of the European Union could fit twice into the country! Brazil is slightly smaller than the USA.

A flight to Sao Paolo takes roughly 11.5 hours from London/UK and 9.5 hours from New York/USA.

Brazil for Kids | More Facts about Brazil

The country has almost 7,500 km/ 4,660 miles of coastline and is known for its many great beaches.

The northern and western parts of Brazil are largely dominated by the Amazon Basin. In the South, you will find the Brazilian Highlands.

The Amazon, the Paraná, the Madeira River, the Rio de la Plata and the Rio Negro are among the biggest rivers in Brazil.

The climate in Brazil is mostly tropical with a temperate climate in the Southern parts of the country.

The most famous landmark of Brazil is located in Rio de Janeiro. The Christ the Redeemer statue overlooks the city and Sugarloaf mountain.

Brazil Geo Superlatives

Brazil is South America's biggest and the world's fifth largest country. The country covers three time zones!

Brazil is also the largest country in the Southern hemisphere as it is bigger than Australia.

The Amazon river is the world's second longest river. It is about 6,400 km/ 4,000 miles long. The river flows through Peru, Colombia and enters the Atlantic Ocean in Brazil.

The Amazon rain forest is the largest rainforest in the world. About 60% of the world's rainforests are located in Brazil.

Brazil is one of the 17 megadiverse countries in the world due to the many species of plants and animals.

The highest lying area of Brazil is in the North and is called the Guiana highlands.

Brazil's highest mountain is the 'Pico de Neblina' and is 2,994 m/ 9,822 ft. high.

Brazil is the only country on the planet where the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn run through the country.

The Pantanal is the world's largest tropical wetland and covers most of the country's western parts.

Brazil shares the Iguazu Falls, the largest waterfall system in the world with Argentina. There are over 270 waterfalls in this waterfall system.

Brazil Attractions for Kids

Rio de Janeiro: Copacabana and Ipanema are great for beach holidays

Capivara National Park is known for ancient rock paintings

Recife, the country's fourth largest city is also nicknamed 'Venice of Brazil' because of its over 50 bridges and many waterways.

Pantanal National park is also called the 'Brazilian Garden of Eden'

Florianópolis is located on Santa Catarina Island which stretches over 54 km/ 33 miles. The island has some of the most amazing beaches in the country.

Brazil Facts | People in Brazil

Brazil is the country with the fifth largest population in the world, after China, India, the USA and Indonesia.

Most Brazilians (87%) live in urban centres, mainly along the Atlantic coast and in the major cities.

The biggest cities in Brazil are Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia. The Brazilian cities are known for the extensive favelas. These are the neighbourhoods or shanty towns, where mainly poor people live.

The northern parts of the country are the least populated area in Brazil.

Among the Brazilian people are more than 800,000 indigenous people, some of them Amerindians.

Brazil Facts | Language in Brazil

Brazil is the only Portuguese-speaking country in South America. The Brazilian Portuguese is slightly different to the Portuguese spoken in Portugal. The pronunciation sounds different and some of the words are used only in Brazil.

Brazil Facts | Carnival in Brazil

Brazil is known for its cheerful and vibrant atmosphere during Carnival time starting on the Friday﻿ before Ash Wednesday. Carneval do Brasil is celebrated in many cities such as in Sao Paolo, Salvador or Rio de Janeiro.

The Brazilian carnival starts on the Friday before Ash Wednesday, or the beginning of the Christian period of fasting called Lent. This usually is in February.

In Brazil, carnival is celebrated with the parades of the various samba schools. The communities are usually widely involved as drumming, dancing and marching are practised all year round for this special annual event.

Brazil Facts | Brazil Economy

Brazil is the eighth largest economy in the world. The country belongs to the BRICS which includes the countries Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

The main agricultural products of Brazil include coffee, soybeans, wheat, corn and sugar cane. Brazil is the world's largest exporter of coffee, soybean and beef.

About one third of the country is agricultural land, however, only about 10% of all Brazilians work in the agricultural sector. The unemployment rate in Brazil stands at 12% and about 4% live in extremely poor conditions.

The largest trading partners of Brazil are China, the USA and Argentina.

Sports in Brazil

The people in Brazil love being outdoors, the main sports are soccer, volleyball and water sports.

The South American country hosted the soccer world cup in 2014. Brazil won the world cup five times in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002 and the country has participated in all the tournament since it began.

Brazil also hosted the last Summer Olympic Games in August 2016. The XXXVI (16th) Olympiad in Rio was the first Olympic Games on the South American continent! Over ten thousand athletes from 206 countries took part in these summer sports games. Read more about the Rio Olympics here.

Brazil Facts | Animals in Brazil

Brazil's national animal is the Jaguar.

Brazil is home to many other fascinating mammals too, such as armadillos, tapirs and pumas.

The Amazon is home to many fish species, also the piranha. The national bird is the macaw. The colourful toucans with their big horned beaks also can be seen in Brazil.

Brazil Facts | Food in Brazil

Brazilians love their fresh fruits and vegetables such as okra, coconuts corn and beans. Many traditional dishes contain beans, rice or manioc flour. The most favourite dish in Brazil is probably the feijoada, a bean stew made with pork and rice.

Typical Brazilian food and drinks:

Pão de Queijo: delicious cheese bread

Guarana: drink made with small red berries

Feijoada: a bean stew made with pork and rice.

Coxinha de Galena: Brazilian breaded and deep fried snack filled with shredded chicken. Usually served with a chili dip, see below:

Resources for Brazil Facts

Central Intelligence Agency. "Brazil" CIA World Factbook. Updated 28 March 2023. Last Accessed 31 March 2023.

The Olympic Committee. "Rio 2016." Olympic.org. Last Accessed 31 March 2023.

Presidency of the Republic of Brazil. "Brazil in Numbers: Fact Sheet - Brazil". Updated 1 October 2018. Last Accessed 31 March 2023.

Popular Pages

Images on Brazil facts page: shutterstock.com and own images Return from Brazil Facts to Kids World Travel Guide Homepage
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Brazil Facts for Kids | Brazil for Kids | Geography | Food | People

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Our Brazil Facts for Kids tell you about the largest South American country and its people, landmarks in Brazil, animals and food in Brazil and much more.

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Our South America Facts for Kids bring you lots of interesting and fun facts on the South American continent.

South America is the fourth largest continent in size and the fifth largest when we consider population.

The South American continent is located in the western hemisphere and mainly in the southern hemisphere.

Top 20 South America Facts

1. There are 12 countries in South America (see list on the right) and 3 dependencies with a total of more than 433 million people living on the continent.

Click on the flags to learn more about these countries:

2. Largest Country: Brazil. The country is covering more than half the continent's landmass. Did you know that Brazil is only slightly smaller than the USA?

3. Largest City: Sao Paolo in Brazil. With more than 22 million inhabitants (2021) Sao Paulo is also one of the ten biggest cities in the world.

4. Smallest Country: Suriname. The country is one of the 10 most sparsely populated countries in the world.

5. Biggest Island: Tierra del Fuego (Spanish meaning: Land of Fire), at the southern tip of Argentina and Chile

6. Longest River: Amazon River (6,437 km/ 4,000 miles). The Amazon is not only the second longest river in the world after the Nile, but also the Amazon carries more water than the world's other 10 biggest rivers combined!

7. Highest Mountain: Aconcagua in Argentina. The mountain (6,961 m/ 22,837 ft) is located in the Andes mountain range.

The Aconcagua is considered the second highest of the world's Seven Summits after Mount Everest which is in Asia.

8. Biggest Lake: Lake Titicaca (shared by Bolivia and Peru)

9. Driest Place: While South America's rain forests also are some of the wettest places on the earth, the Atacama desert in Chile is considered the driest place on earth. Read more about the world's deserts here.

10. There are two landlocked countries in South America: Paraguay and Bolivia are located in the interior of the continent and have neither access to the Atlantic Ocean nor to the Pacific Ocean.

More South America Facts

11. History: Evidence of human life in South America dates back to 10,000 BC. One of the earliest South American civilisations are recorded in Peru. South America was colonised from the late 15th century by foreign conquistadores mainly from Spain and Portugal, but also from the Dutch, British and French.

12. People of South America: The Incas were the largest group of indigenous people in South America when the Europeans arrived. The Incan Empire lasted from 1438 until 1533. Indigenous cultures still are present in South America but the numbers are diminishing. There are still Arawaks and Caribs in Venezuela as well as Guarani in Brazil.

13. Languages in South America: Spanish is the main language in South American countries, only in Brazil people speak Portuguese and in Surinam, formerly a Dutch colony, the official language is still Dutch. Many people speak also English as a second language. Quechua, the language spoken by the Inca, is the most common indigenous language.

14. Religion: Most of the South American people are Catholics (90%), some Protestants, Jews and some indigenous people have their indigenous beliefs.

15. Tourist attractions in South America: The most popular attractions are:

Macchu Picchu in Peru

Iguazu Falls in Argentina/Brazil

Angel Falls in Venezuela

Rio de Janeiro and its Carnival in Brazil

Patagonia in Argentina/Chile

Amazon in Ecuador

Pantanal in Paraguay/Brazil

Torres del Paine National Park in Chile

16. Biggest Cities: The most populous city in South America is Sao Paulo. Almost half of the population of the South American continent lives in Brazil.

Other big cities in South America are:

Lima (Peru)

Bogota (Colombia)

Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

Santiago (Chile)

Buenos Aires (Argentina)

Did you know? The southernmost city in the world is on the South American continent! The city is called Ushuaia, is located on the Argentinian part of the Tierra del Fuego and more than 55,000 people live there. Read more about Argentina here.

17. Animals: In South America there are tapirs, piranhas and anacondas and many other animals.

South America is also home to many endangered animals such as the jaguar, the giant otter or the Amazonian manatee.

18. Main natural resources in South America are minerals such as iron ore (used to make steel) or copper and agricultural produce such as corn, coffee, wheat, soybean and cocoa.

19. Nature superlatives:

Atacama desert is the driest place in South America

Angel Falls are the world's highest waterfalls

Amazon River Basin is the world's largest river basin

The Andes are the world's longest mountain range

20. South America's landscape is dominated from mountains and highlands such as the Andes, river basins such as the Amazon and Orinoco and coastal plains where the Atacama Desert also belongs to.

Countries in South America that are located in the Northern Hemisphere:

Venezuela

Guyana

Suriname

French Guiana

and (the northern regions of) Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil

Test your Knowledge

Popular Pages

Useful Resources for South America Facts

Central Intelligence Agency. "South America." WorldFactBook. Last accessed 14 February 2023

National Geographic. "World Atlas for Young Explorers". Washington: 2010. pages 86-92

Millennium. "Earth Condensed - The World Atlas." Millennium House. 2009

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South America Facts for Kids | Geography | Attractions | People | Food

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20 Top South America Facts for Kids provide information on the 12 countries, lots of interesting superlatives and fun facts about the South American continent.

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Venezuela for Kids | Venezuela Facts for Kids | Geography | Landmarks

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Our Venezuela for Kids page provides fun facts about Venezuela, the country and people, animals, geographic superlatives, economy and so much more

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Facts | Colombia for Kids | Geography | People | Animals

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Interesting Facts for Kids

Here are some interesting Colombia Facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids.

Colombia for Kids

Population: More than 51 million people live in Colombia (2022)

Capital: Bogotá with 11 million inhabitants is the country's largest city

Name: Republica de Colombia or Republic of Colombia.

Government: Presidential Republic

Language: Spanish

Literacy: More than 94% of the people can read and write.

Religion: mainly Christians (Roman Catholics 79%, Protestants 14%)

Currency: 1 Peso = 100 centavos

National Symbols: Orchid (national flower), Andean condor (national bird) wax palm tree (national tree)

Motto: "Libertad y Orden" which means "Freedom and Order"

National Day: 20 July (Independence Day)

History: The country was inhabited by mainly semi-nomadic tribes before the arrival of the Spanish colonialists. Colombia is named after explorer Christopher Columbus. However, the land was also referred to as New Grenada from 1499. Colombia gained independence from Spain on 20 July 1810. Slavery was abolished in Colombia in 1849. Finally in 1886 the Republic of Colombia was proclaimed.

Colombia Facts: Geography
Where is Colombia?

Colombia is a country in South America. The Latin American country shares borders with five countries: Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Equador and Panama. Colombia's capital city is Bogotá.

Below see another Spanish map of Colombia with the neighbouring countries as well as the major waterways and roads. The Caribbean islands San Andrés and Providencia are the largest islands belonging to Colombia.

The longest of the Colombian borders is shared with Venezuela and is 2,219 km/ 1,378 miles long.

Colombia is roughly the size of Norway, Sweden and Finland combined, or similar in size to Ethiopia or about twice the size of Texas/USA.

A flight from London/UK to Bogotá takes roughly 11.5 hours and from New York/USA a flight takes 5.5 hours.

Colombia has a diverse climate from tropical steppe, rainforest as well as glacial climate in the Andean mountain regions. More than 60% of the country are low-lying grassland and sparsely populated. Colombia sits on the Ring of Fire and is prone to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.

Colombia Facts
Colombia Geo Superlatives

Colombia is the fourth largest country in South America and the second most populous country in South America after Brazil.

The country has coastlines on two oceans: the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea which is part of the Atlantic Ocean.

Colombia is the second most biodiverse country in the world after Brazil and thus one of 17 megadiverse countries.

Colombia houses the world's largest protected tropical rainforest: Serrania del Chiribiquete.

The Magdalena River is Colombia's longest river (that is flowing entirely in Colombia). It has a length of 1,528 km/ 950 miles. In Colombia, you will also find the world's second longest river, the Amazon. There are several other big rivers in Colombia, such as the Orinoco River or the Rio Negro.

The highest waterfalls of the country are the La Chorrera Falls with 590 m/ 1,936 ft in hight.

Colombia's highest mountain is the 'Pico Cristobal Colon' which is 5,800 m/ 19,020ft high.

There are more than 30 volcanoes in Colombia, with Galeras (4,276 m/ 14,029 ft) as the most active volcano. Nevada del Ruiz is the highest active volcano of the Andes mountain range.

Colombia Attractions

Bogotá: the country's capital city has a beautiful old centre called La Candelaria with 300 year old Spanish colonial buildings. There are also graffiti and street art to be admired throughout the city. The artists are actually sponsored by the Colombian government!

In Cartagena on the northern coast of Colombia, you will find colonial buildings and an old town with cobbled streets. Today this city is a major port city.

Medellin: During the civil war the city was called 'murder capital of the world', today, Medellin has cleaned up crime and is now known for its arts and culture scene. Here you will find sculptures of Colombian artist Fernando Botero in many places. These sculptures are known for displaying oversized people and objects.

Parque Nacional Natural El Cocuy: Here are some of the largest glaciers on the South American continent.

Caño cristales: The crystal river is also called River of Five Colours or the 'Rainbow River' because of its changing colour during the year.

San Andrés Island, also called Saint Andrew island is the largest island of Colombia in the Caribbean sea. The island is known for its beautiful coral reefs and picturesque white sandy beaches.

Colombia Facts
Colombia Economy

Colombia is rich of natural resources such as petroleum, natural gas, coal, gold and copper. The country's biggest trading partner is the USA.

Coffee is also a main export product and Colombia is the world's third biggest exporter.

The country is also famous for its magnificent emeralds, which are bright green gemstones.

Colombia Facts
Colombia People

Colombia is the second most populous country in South America. Colombia is a Spanish speaking country, but various Amerindian, Creole and Romani languages are spoken as well. In fact more than 75 indigenous languages are used in Colombia.

Most Colombians live in the northern and western regions of the country, in the Andean highlands near the capital city Bogotá or near the Caribbean coast. The southern and eastern parts of the country are the least populated areas in Colombia.

More than 81% of the population of Colombia live in cities or major towns. The five biggest cities in the country are:

Among famous Colombian people are singer and songwriter Shakira or the painter and sculptor Fernando Botero you can see below with one of his artworks.

Famous is also Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Marquez is well known for the Spanish book "Love in the Time of Cholera" which is one of the most read Spanish novels of all times.

One of the most well known Colombians was terrorist and drug lord Pablo Escobar. He was the founder and head of the notorious Medellín drug cartel that supplied cocaine and other drugs to the USA and thus was also referred to by many as the 'King of Cocaine'. He was the world's wealthiest criminal (while also being a Colombian politician) until he died in a shooting in 1993.

Family is very important to Colombians. Among sports, soccer is the most popular sport played in Colombia. Tejo is considered a national sport.

Colombia Facts | Peace

Colombia has been shaken over many decades by civil wars and clashes between government forces and paramilitary groups. These rebels were largely funded by drug trade in the 1990s. Over 200,000 people were killed and over 8 million people were displaced in the civil war.

In 2016, the historic peace deal was signed between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). For this peace deal, the former Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos won the Nobel Peace Award in 2016. The current president is Iván Duque Márquez (2021).

Colombia Facts
Typical Colombian Food

The Colombian cuisine is mainly influenced by indigenous food as well as Spanish and African cooking styles. The typical Colombian dishes vary depending on the regional climate and the fruit and vegetables available in season.

Many traditional dishes contain maize, rice, potatoes or cassava as well as meats and seafood. Tropical fruits such as mango, papaya, passionfruit, guava, dragon fruit or lulo (a fruit with a citrus flavour) are available throughout the country.

Typical Colombian food and drinks include:

Tamales: South American corn or rice cakes that are filled with chicken, vegetables or even sweet fruits

Arepa: maize flatbread, a common snack usually baked or grilled and often eaten with avocados or meats, sometimes split open and stuffed with a variety of fillings

: caramel sauce similar to dulce de leche and made with sweet milk and sugar

Changua: milk soup with eggs which is traditionally eaten for breakfast

Lechona: roasted pig or pork meat with onions and yellow rice and various spices, usually made in outdoor ovens

Chocolate con Queso: hot chocolate drink made with real cacao and cheese that gets dipped into the hot drink

Colombia Facts
Animals in Colombia

Colombia is the second most biodiverse country in the world. It has the largest amount of endemic species, that means animals that exist only in this country.

Manatees and brown woolly monkeys are among the vulnerable species. Endangered animals include the pink Amazon river dolphins.

Colombia is also the country with the world's largest number of bird species.

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Colombia Facts | Colombia for Kids | Geography | People | Animals

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Here are some interesting Colombia Facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids. Population: More than 51 million people live in Colombia (2022) Capital: Bogotá with 11 million inhabitants is the country's largest city Name: Republica de Colombia or Republic of Colombia.

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History, Map, Flag, Capital, Population, Currency, & Facts

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Colombia | History, Map, Flag, Capital, Population, Currency, & Facts

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Geographical and historical treatment of Colombia, a country of northwestern South America. Its 1,000 miles of coast to the north are bathed by the Caribbean Sea, and its 800 miles of coast to the west are washed by the Pacific Ocean. The population is largely concentrated in the mountainous interior.

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A coffee plantation in Colombia.

The republic of Colombia is a nation located in the northwestern part of South America and having some of its territories in Central America. In 2017 the nation's gross domestic product was roughly $309.2 billion. At the time, the Colombian gross domestic product was the 39 th highest in the world according to the World Bank while its per capita gross domestic product was the 86 th highest in the world. According to the IMF, the country is an upper middle-income economy and it is among the largest economies in Latin America. Like most other countries in South America, Colombia's economy is shaped by its natural resources like land and a wide array of mineral resources vital to its economic success. The natural resources in Colombia range from arable land to minerals such as gold and coal. Most industries in the country are driven by agriculture and commodities. Some of the top export items from Colombia include coal, petroleum, coffee, and gold.

Arable Land

In 2015, arable land made up roughly 1.5 % of the nation's entire territory. Since 2004, the size of arable land in Colombia has been fluctuating significantly due to several factors such as the variation in the country's weather patterns. Despite the variation in the size of arable land in the country, agriculture continues to contribute significantly to the country's gross domestic product. According to the Colombian government, in 2015, the agricultural sector contributed roughly 9.3% of the country's gross domestic product. The Colombian labor department estimates that in 2013, close to 6.6% of the country's labor force was directly involved in the country's agriculture sector. Some of Colombia's most important crops include maize, tobacco, and coffee.

Coffee

Historical evidence indicates that coffee has been growing in Colombia for a long time. In the modern era, coffee is one of Colombia's most important crops. The Colombian government estimates that roughly 2.3 million Colombian people were involved in the coffee sector. Colombian coffee is mainly grown for the export market with the primary buyers of Colombian coffee being nations such as the US, Italy, and France. A region in Colombia has been designated as a coffee growing is due to the large scale of coffee grown in the region. The axis spans across several Colombian departments, for example, Tolima and Caldas and many cities such as Ibague and Manizales. In the mid-1980s, coffee accounted for roughly 51% of Colombia's exports, however, in subsequent years coffee's contribution to the nation's exports decreased significantly. By 2006, coffee accounted for roughly 6% of Colombia's total exports. The major challenge facing the Colombian coffee sector is the fluctuation in global coffee prices. The fluctuation in global coffee prices significantly affected the Colombian coffee industry in 2003. To overcome the challenges facing the Colombian coffee sector, the government implemented reforms in the management of the country's coffee sector. The reforms were relatively successful as the amount of coffee grown in Colombia has increased significantly. The Colombian government is actively urging the Colombian people to consume more coffee to create a broader local market for the local coffee industry.

Flowers

According to data from the Colombian government, in 2016 flower production accounted for roughly 4.2% of the country's agricultural output. At the time, the Colombian labor department estimated that close to 200,000 people were employed in the Colombian flower sector. More than half of the workers in the Colombian flower industry are women. In 2010, there were roughly 300 companies engaged in flower production in Colombia. Most of the flower companies in Colombia, close to 80% according to some estimates, are owned by the Colombian people. Some of the flower varieties grown in Colombia include roses, chrysanthemums, and carnations. Most of the flowers in Colombia, roughly 82% according to some estimates, were sold to the US. The EU purchases roughly 9% of the flowers produced in Colombia. The development of the Colombian flower industry flourished with very little government involvement.

Minerals

Colombia has large quantities of different mineral resources of great economic importance to the country's economy. Some of the essential minerals in Colombia include coal, gold, and nickel. Minerals have been vital to the Colombian economy for a significant period with gold being highly valued by ancient Colombian communities. In the modern era, gold is exploited in some areas in Colombia such as Cajamarca. In 2008, the Colombian government estimated that 34,132 pounds of gold had been produced in the country. From 2007 to 2008, gold production in the country increased by roughly 34%. One of the major gold mines in Colombia is the La Colosa mine, which is believed to have roughly 806,250 pounds of gold deposits. The major challenge facing the Colombian gold mining industry is the impact it has on the environment.

Gemstones

Colombia has different varieties of gemstones found in different parts of the country. The most important gemstone mined in Colombia includes emerald. Due to the high demand for emeralds all around the world, the Colombian government has invested heavily in improving the country's gemstone mining industry. Most of the emeralds in Colombia are extracted from two departments Cundinamarca and Boyacá, both of which are situated on the eastern edge of the country. The major challenge facing the Colombian gemstone industry is the large number of smugglers in the country.

Coal

One of Colombia's most important natural resources is coal which is mainly mined in the northern region of the country. In 1981, Colombia produced roughly 4 million tons of coal. In subsequent years, Colombia's coal production has been increasing significantly. In 2006, the Colombian government estimated that the country had produced roughly 65.6 million tons of coal. Most of the coal in Colombia, roughly 95% according to some estimates, has exceptionally high heat content. In the 21st century, the Colombian government has reduced its participation in the coal industry. Due to the reduced government participation, both local and foreign companies have invested heavily in the Colombian coal industry.

Oil And Gas

Colombia has been blessed with vast quantities of oil and natural gas, which contribute significantly to the country's economy. Most of the oil produced in Colombia is sold to other nations with the US buying most of Colombia's crude oil. In 2006, oil in Colombia contributed roughly 26% of the nation's exports. The Colombian government has invested heavily in improving the country's oil and gas sector.

Challenges Facing The Colombian Economy

The Colombian economy faces several challenges with the major one being corruption among public officials. Another major challenge that faces the country is the fluctuation in global oil prices.

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What Are The Major Natural Resources Of Colombia?

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The republic of Colombia is a nation located in the northwestern part of South America and having some of its territories in Central America. In 2017 the nation's gross domestic product was roughly $309.2 billion.

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South America's economy is centered on the export of is rich diversity of natural resources.

Subjects

Earth Science, Geology, Geography, Human Geography, Physical Geography, Social Studies, Economics

South America, the fourth-largest continent, extends from the Gulf of Darién in the northwest to the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in the south.

South America's physical geography, environment and resources, and human geography can be considered separately.

South America has diverse agricultural products, vast mineral wealth, and plentiful freshwater. It also has rich fisheries and ports on three bodies of water: the Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean, and Pacific Ocean. The continent's economy is centered on the export of natural resources.

Climate and Agriculture

South America extends from a broad equatorial zone in the north to a narrow sub-Arctic zone in the south. It can be divided into four climatic regions: tropical, temperate, arid, and cold.

Tropical climates-which include both tropical rainy and tropical wet and dry climates-cover more than half of the continent. Tropical rainy conditions occur in the Amazon River basin, the northeastern coast, and the Pacific coast of Colombia. The regions' average daily temperature is 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) with very little temperature variation throughout the year. While average annual rainfall is 262 centimeters (103 inches), some areas receive an extreme amount of precipitation; the Chocó region of Colombia, for example, receives more than 800 centimeters (315 inches) of rain every year.

Tropical wet and dry conditions occur in the Orinoco River basin, the Brazilian Highlands, and in a western section of Ecuador. Temperatures are similar to tropical rainy, but have a greater daily range. There is also less precipitation and a prolonged dry season.

Many crops thrive in the tropical climates of South America. Cashews and Brazil nuts are cultivated. Fruits such as avocado, pineapple, papaya, and guava are also native to tropical South America.

Two very important cash crops are coffee and cacao, which is the source of cocoa, the base ingredient in chocolate. Brazil is the world's largest exporter of coffee, and it used to be one of the largest exporters of cacao. In 2000, a fungus spread throughout many of South America's cacao plantations, devastating the economies of the region and driving up the price of chocolate. The chocolate industries of Brazil, Venezuela, and Ecuador are slowly recovering, but most of the world's cacao now comes from countries in tropical Africa.

The continent's temperate climates are located south of the Tropic of Capricorn and in the mid-level elevations of the Andes mountains. Temperate climates have a greater temperature range and lower winter temperatures than tropical climates.

South America's temperate climates are home to a number of industrial crops and livestock. Corn is produced throughout the temperate climates, and soybeans have become an increasingly lucrative crop in the Pampas.

The Pampas' vast, high-quality pastures are also the center of South America's huge ranching industry. Brazil is the world's third-largest beef exporter (behind only Australia and the United States). Argentina is also an important beef exporter.

Arid climates are found in deserts, coastal areas, and interior regions throughout South America. Some of these climates are extremely cold, while others are extremely hot-but they all receive very little precipitation. This makes agricultural production difficult. However, heavily irrigated crops, such as rice and cotton, are grown in desert oases.

Cold climates occur in the southern ends of Argentina and Chile and the highest elevations of the Andes. Cold climates have an average annual temperature of below 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit). These climates are characterized by long dry seasons and high winds.

While these cold climates limit crop production, they are also home to thousands of native potato species and the native quinoa plant-a grain-like crop grown for its edible seeds. Potatoes and quinoa are starchy food staples of the Andean diet. Potatoes are now one of the biggest crops in the world. Ninety-nine percent of the potatoes grown throughout the world can be traced to a single species that was originally cultivated in the Chiloé Archipelago more than 10,000 years ago.

In addition to potatoes and quinoa, grazing animals such as sheep, llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas also thrive in cold climates. These animals are bred for their meat and wool, which is used in high-quality textiles exported throughout the world.

Forestry and Fishing

Forestry is the management of trees and other vegetation in forests. It is a major economic activity for tropical South America, especially the Amazon River basin. Many high-value tree species, such as mahogany and rosewood, are native to the rain forest. Lumber from these trees is exported to foreign markets for use in cabinets and floors. Some countries have tree plantations. Chile, for example, is an important exporter of wood chips, plywood, and paper pulp.

Lower-grade woods are important to the construction market in South America. The most familiar of these less-expensive woods is eucalyptus. Eucalyptus is not native to South America, but it grows at an incredibly quick rate. Eucalyptus is used as both a building material and as fuel in low-income communities throughout South America.

Marine fisheries are the most important economic activity along South America's Pacific coast, although overfishing has depleted many fish populations. The cold Peru Current brings nutrient-rich waters to the coast, creating a fishery with everything from whales to shrimp. Peru and Chile's abundant anchovy catches are processed into fishmeal, an ingredient used in animal feed and fertilizer. Chile is a global leader in farm-raised salmon and trout, while Ecuador is an important shrimp exporter.

Mining and Drilling

The mining industry is one of South America's most important economic engines. The continent contains about one-fifth of the world's iron ore reserves. Iron and steel (an iron product) are used in construction and machinery throughout the world.

More than one-quarter of the world's known copper reserves are in South America, mostly in Peru and Chile. Valued at $26.9 billion in 2009, copper accounts for nearly one-third of the exports of Chile, the world's largest copper exporter. Copper is used in electrical wiring and equipment because it is a good conductor of heat and is resistant to corrosion.

Other important metal deposits include tin, used to solder metallic surfaces; lead, used in construction, batteries, and bullets; and zinc, used as an anti-corrosion agent. Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia are major producers of tin. Lead and zinc deposits are found primarily in higher elevations of Peru, Bolivia, southern Brazil, and northern Argentina.

South America is home to some deposits of oil and natural gas, which are drilled for energy and fuel. Oil and gas extraction is the dominant industry of Venezuela, with major deposits found around Lake Maracaibo and the El Tigre region. The oil sector accounts for about one-third of Venezuela's total gross domestic product (GDP).

The Built Environment

South America's economic growth over the last half-century has prompted its cities to expand rapidly. These cities, however, often suffer from inefficient transportation and utility systems, pollution, and unregulated residential growth.

São Paulo, Brazil, is an industrial powerhouse and the largest city in the Southern Hemisphere, with a population of more than 11 million. The city lies at the center of the São Paulo metropolitan area (SPMA), which has an estimated 19,889,559 residents and covers more than 7,743 square kilometers (3,067 square miles). The SPMA is defined as a "megalopolis" because it covers a vast area and incorporates several distinct cities.

São Paulo's growth mostly comes from the coffee boom that hit the city in the 1880s. Immigrants from Europe and Japan came to the city to work in the coffee trade. Today, São Paulo produces about half of Brazil's industrial goods and is the center of South American manufacturing.

São Paulo's economic opportunities have attracted many poor migrants. This flood of immigration has spurred the creation of massive shantytowns, called . In São Paulo, there are more than 600 favelas. Favelas are often removed from the city center and disconnected from basic city services, such as water, sewage, and electricity.

The drug trade, mostly cocaine, is also centered in favelas. Drug trafficking has become a major economic industry in South America, providing hundreds of millions of dollars to drug organizations, known as cartels. The farmers who produce raw materials for the drug trade rarely benefit as much as the cartels that deliver the drugs to an international market. Drug cartels have become a serious security threat to South American governments, especially in Colombia and Brazil.

Lima, Peru, is the second largest desert city in the world, after Cairo, Egypt. The Lima metropolitan area has a population of almost 9 million people and accounts for about one-fourth of Peru's total population. Lima is known as the Gastronomical Capital of the Americas for the number and diversity of local dishes. These dishes bring together the city's roots as a Spanish colonial center and the influences of both international immigrants (African, Chinese, Japanese) and local migrants (Andean, Amazonian).

Lima has the largest export industry in South America. Lima and the nearby port city of Callao are also among the most important fish trade centers in South America. Lima and Callao have regular, efficient maritime routes to coastal Asia.

Much like São Paulo, Lima's large size causes certain infrastructure problems. Heavy traffic congestion is an effect of Lima's indirect street and highway network, and unreliable public buses. These older buses are often much smaller and more polluting than new buses. In order to reduce traffic and pollution, Lima is in the process of constructing an above-ground subway-type system.

South America is home to a number of engineering marvels, most of which are connected to managing the continent's natural resources. The Itaipu Dam, completed in 1984, spans the Paraná River at the Brazil-Paraguay border. The dam generates more hydroelectric power than any other dam in the world. (China's Three Gorges Dam is capable of producing more, however.) In 2008, the dam generated 94.68 billion kilowatt-hours, which supplied 90 percent of Paraguay's energy and 19 percent of Brazil's. In 1994, the American Society of Civil Engineers elected the Itaipu Dam as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

South America has some of the largest mining operations in the world. The Chuquicamata mine in northern Chile is considered the world's largest open-pit copper mine. It is 4.3 kilometers (2.7 miles) long, 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) wide and more than 847 meters (2,780 feet) deep. The mine produces more than one-fourth of Chile's copper. Its smelter (which extracts the copper from rock ore) and refinery (which purifies the extracted copper) are also among the largest in the world.

Fast Fact

Most Renewable Electricity Produced Paraguay (99.9%, hydropower)

Media Credits

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Illustrators

Mary Crooks, National Geographic Society

Editors

Jeannie Evers, Emdash Editing, Emdash Editing

Producer

National Geographic Society

other

Last Updated

August 10, 2023

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South America's economy is centered on the export of is rich diversity of natural resources.

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A HUMAN PERSPECTIVE In the 17th century, missionaries and Indians in the area of present-day Paraguay were at times attacked by jaguars, the great cats of Latin America. In 1637, packs of jaguars roamed the countryside, attacking humans. The Indians built barricades for protection from the savage cats. But the jaguars remained a source of fear. The cats were a factor that had to be taken into account in settling and protecting towns and villages. There was no question about it-jaguars and other creatures thrived in the humid climate and thick vegetation of the tropical rain forests.

A Varied Climate and Vegetation

The climate of Latin America ranges from the hot and humid Amazon River basin to the dry and desert-like conditions of northern Mexico and southern Chile. Rain forest, desert, and savanna are all found in the region.

The vegetation varies from rain forests to grasslands and desert scrub. It ranges from the thick trees of the rain forests to mosses of the tundra. This variety of climate and vegetation is due to several factors. First, Latin America spans a great distance on each side of the equator. Second, there are big changes in elevation because of the massive mountains in the region. Third, the warm currents of the Atlantic Ocean and the cold currents of the Pacific Ocean affect the climate.

Tropical Climate Zones

The tropical climate zones of the region produce both rain forests and the tree-dotted grasslands known as savannas. Rain forests are abundant in Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. Savannas are found in South America.

TROPICAL WET

Rain forests are dense forests made up of different species of trees. They form a unique ecosystem-a community of plants and animals living in balance. The climate in these areas is hot and rainy year round. The largest forest is the Amazon rain forest, which covers more than two million square miles of South America. Much of this rain forest is located in Brazil.

Rain forests contain many exotic plants and creatures. Scientists have counted more than 2,500 varieties of trees in the Amazon rain forest. These include the Brazil nut tree, which grows 150 feet high. Animals include the anaconda, among the largest snakes in the world, the jaguar, and the piranha, a sharp-toothed, meat-eating fish.

TROPICAL WET AND DRY

Wet and dry climates, found primarily in South America, support savannas, which are grasslands dotted with trees common in tropical and subtropical regions. These areas have hot climates with seasonal rain. Savannas are found in Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina.

Dry Climate Zones

Dry climate zones are found in Mexico on the North American continent and in various countries of South America. Neither Central America nor the Caribbean, though, has dry climate zones.

SEMIARID

A semiarid climate is generally dry, with some rain. Vast, semiarid, grass-covered plains are often found in such climates. Desert shrubs also grow in semiarid regions. Such regions are found in Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina.

DESERT

Parts of northern Mexico are classified as desert, as is much of the coast of Peru. The Atacama Desert is in northern Chile. Likewise, Argentina's southern zone, Patagonia, contains a desert. The deserts of the region are made up of shrubs growing in gravel or sand.

Mid-Latitude Climate Zones

The mid-latitude, moderate climate zones in the region are located south of the equator, from approximately Rio de Janeiro in Brazil southward.

HUMID SUBTROPICAL

Humid subtropical areas have rainy winters and hot, humid summers. Parts of Paraguay, Uruguay, southern Brazil, southern Bolivia, and northern Argentina (including Buenos Aires) are located in humid, subtropical climates. The vegetation is varied.

MEDITERRANEAN

Mediterranean climate zones experience hot, dry summers and cool, moist winters. Part of Chile along the west coast is in this zone. You have experienced a similar climate if you have ever been to California. The vegetation in this climate is mainly chaparral.

MARINE WEST COAST

Marine west coast climate zones are characterized by cool, rainy winters and mild, rainy summers. One such climate region runs along the coast of southwestern South America. Parts of southern Chile and Argentina have this climate. If you have spent time in Oregon or Washington, you have experienced this type of climate. Forests are the typical vegetation.

HIGHLANDS

Highland climate zones vary from moderate to cold, depending on elevation. Other factors influence highland climates, such as wind, sunlight, and landscape. Highland climates are found in the mountains of Mexico and South America. In the next section, you will read about how human-environment interaction affects the quality of life in Latin America.

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A HUMAN PERSPECTIVE In the 17th century, missionaries and Indians in the area of present-day Paraguay were at times attacked by jaguars, the great cats of Latin America. In 1637, packs of jaguars roamed the countryside, attacking humans. The Indians built barricades for protection from the savage cats.

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Most plants and animals live in areas with very specific climate conditions, such as temperature and rainfall patterns, that enable them to thrive. Any change in the climate of an area can affect the plants and animals living there, as well as the makeup of the entire ecosystem. Some species are already responding to a warmer climate by moving to cooler locations. For example, some North American animals and plants are moving farther north or to higher elevations to find suitable places to live. Climate change also alters the life cycles of plants and animals. For example, as temperatures get warmer, many plants are starting to grow and bloom earlier in the spring and survive longer into the fall. Some animals are waking from hibernation sooner or migrating at different times, too.

Disappearing Habitats

As the Earth gets warmer, plants and animals that need to live in cold places, like on mountaintops or in the Arctic, might not have a suitable place to live. If the Earth keeps getting warmer, up to one-fourth of all the plants and animals on Earth could become extinct within 100 years. Every plant and animal plays a role in the ecosystem (for example, as a source of food, a predator, a pollinator, a source of shelter), so losing one species can affect many others.

What can people do about it?
Just like people, plants and animals will have to adapt to climate change. Many types of birds in North America are already migrating further north as the temperature warms. People can help these animals adapt by protecting and preserving their habitats.

Coral Reefs

Coral reefs are created in shallow tropical waters by millions of tiny animals called corals. Each coral makes a skeleton for itself, and over time, these skeletons build up to create coral reefs, which provide habitat for lots of fish and other ocean creatures. Warmer water has already caused coral bleaching (a type of damage to corals) in many parts of the world. By 2050, live corals could become rare in tropical and sub-tropical reefs due to the combined effects of warmer water and increased ocean acidity caused by more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The loss of coral reefs will reduce habitats for many other sea creatures, and it will disrupt the food web that connects all the living things in the ocean.

What can people do about it?
To help give coral reefs a better chance of surviving the effects of climate change, swimmers, boaters, and divers should treat these fragile ecosystems with care. People can also support groups working to protect coral reefs.

Learn more

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Most plants and animals live in areas with very specific climate conditions, such as temperature and rainfall patterns, that enable them to thrive. Any change in the climate of an area can affect the plants and animals living there, as well as the makeup of the entire ecosystem.

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Climate & Vegetation of Latin America Mr. Dodson. - ppt download

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A Varied Climate and Vegetation Latin America’s broad range of climate, vegetation due to 3 factors: it spans great distances on either side of the equator it has big changes in elevation due to the mountains its climate’s affected by both warm Atlantic, cold Pacific currents

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Climate is the average weather conditions in a place over a long period of time-30 years or more. And as you probably already know, there are lots of different types of climates on Earth.

For example, hot regions are normally closest to the equator. The climate is hotter there because the Sun's light is most directly overhead at the equator. And the North and South Poles are cold because the Sun's light and heat are least direct there.

Using this information, in the late 1800s and early 1900s a German climate scientist named Wladimir Koppen divided the world's climates into categories. His categories were based on the temperature, the amount of precipitation, and the times of year when precipitation occurs. The categories were also influenced by a region's latitude-the imaginary lines used to measure our Earth from north to south from the equator.

Today, climate scientists split the Earth into approximately five main types of climates. They are:

A: Tropical. In this hot and humid zone, the average temperatures are greater than 64°F (18°C) year-round and there is more than 59 inches of precipitation each year.

B: Dry. These climate zones are so dry because moisture is rapidly evaporated from the air and there is very little precipitation.

C: Temperate. In this zone, there are typically warm and humid summers with thunderstorms and mild winters.

D. Continental. These regions have warm to cool summers and very cold winters. In the winter, this zone can experience snowstorms, strong winds, and very cold temperatures-sometimes falling below -22°F (-30°C)!

E: Polar. In the polar climate zones, it's extremely cold. Even in summer, the temperatures here never go higher than 50°F (10°C)!

This is roughly where those climate zones appear on a globe:

What does a map of climate zones really look like?

Distance to the equator is only one part of an area's climate. Things like the movement of the oceans and Earth's tilt and rotation also affect how weather patterns move around the globe.

If you classify the United States into climate zones using all of this information, it actually looks something like this:

How can information about climate zones be used?

Climate zones can be useful for gardening and farming. Plants grow best in the climate conditions that are found in their native ecosystem. For example, if you want to plant an apple orchard in your backyard, you should first check to see which varieties of apples are a good match for your region's climate.

How do weather satellites play a role?

Weather satellites mostly help with tracking conditions that are happening right now and forecasting weather in the near future. However, they also collect information that helps us monitor a region's climate over time.

For example, satellites in the GOES-R series -short for Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R-can monitor the sea surface temperature and the Gulf Stream, a powerful current in the Atlantic Ocean. Both of these things can influence a region's climate.

In addition, the temperature of the land becomes cooler at night, and there are changes in the amount of clouds. The GOES-R series satellites monitor cloudiness and land surface temperature-information that helps scientists to understand how the differences between day and night can affect a region's climate.

Satellites in the Joint Polar Satellite System ( JPSS) can also provide information on differences between day and night. For example, JPSS orbits Earth twice a day in what's called an afternoon orbit. As the satellite orbits from North Pole to South Pole, it captures observations in the afternoon on one side of Earth and observations of the early morning on the other side of the planet.

While JPSS orbits, the satellites provide global observations of many other variables that influence climate such as atmospheric temperature and water vapor, snow and ice cover, vegetation, sea and land surface temperature, precipitation and more. These add important information to our records of regional differences in Earth's climate.

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The world is split up into climate zones. Do you know which zone you live in?

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Class A - Tropical Climates Class A climates are characterized by constant high temperatures (at sea level and low elevations) with year round average temperatures of 18 °C (64.4 °F) or higher.

Am

Tropical Monsoon

This type of climate (Am), most common in South America, results from the monsoon winds which change direction according to the seasons. This climate has a driest month (which nearly always occurs at or soon after the "winter" solstice for that side of the equator) with rainfall less than 60 mm, but more than 1/25 the total annual precipitation.

Class B - Dry (Arid and Semiarid) Climates Class B Climates are characterized by potential evaporation and transpiration exceeding precipitation. These climates are usually found in areas from 20 - 35° North and South of the equator and in large continental regions of the mid-latitudes often surrounded by mountains.

Class C - Temperate (Mesothermal) Climates Class C climates have an average monthly high temperature of 10 °C (50 °F) or more in the spring/summer months (April to September in northern hemisphere), and an average monthly low temperature greater than −3 °C (27 °F) in the fall/winter months.

Class D - Continental (Microthermal) Climates These climates have an average temperature above 10 °C (50 °F) in their warmest months, and a coldest month average below −3 °C (or 0 °C in some versions, as noted previously). These usually occur in the interiors of continents and on their upper east coasts, normally north of 40°N. In the Southern Hemisphere, group D climates are extremely rare due to the smaller land masses in the middle latitudes and the almost complete absence of land at 40-60°S, existing only in some highland locations.

Class E - Polar and Alpine Climates

Related Maps

Related Pages

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Interactive South America Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Map

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Class A - Tropical Climates Class A climates are characterized by constant high temperatures (at sea level and low elevations) with year round average temperatures of 18 °C (64.4 °F) or higher. Am Tropical Monsoon This type of climate (Am), most common in South America, results from the monsoon winds which change direction according to the seasons.

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Contains climate information for countries all over the world

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Climate Zones of the Earth - The Dr. Binocs Show | Best Learning Videos For kids | Dr Binocs

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Weather vs. Climate: Crash Course Kids #28.1

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HOW WEATHER & CLIMATE AFFECT DAILY LIVES

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HOW WEATHER & CLIMATE AFFECT OUR DAILY LIVES INTRODUCTION Weather refers to the condition of the atmosphere at a particular place over a short period of time Disadvantages Might cause natural disasters -Too much rain water might cause floods -Strong winds can form hurricanes

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Climate is the average weather conditions in a place over a long period of time-30 years or more. And as you probably already know, there are lots of different types of climates on Earth.

For example, hot regions are normally closest to the equator. The climate is hotter there because the Sun's light is most directly overhead at the equator. And the North and South Poles are cold because the Sun's light and heat are least direct there.

Using this information, in the late 1800s and early 1900s a German climate scientist named Wladimir Koppen divided the world's climates into categories. His categories were based on the temperature, the amount of precipitation, and the times of year when precipitation occurs. The categories were also influenced by a region's latitude-the imaginary lines used to measure our Earth from north to south from the equator.

Today, climate scientists split the Earth into approximately five main types of climates. They are:

A: Tropical. In this hot and humid zone, the average temperatures are greater than 64°F (18°C) year-round and there is more than 59 inches of precipitation each year.

B: Dry. These climate zones are so dry because moisture is rapidly evaporated from the air and there is very little precipitation.

C: Temperate. In this zone, there are typically warm and humid summers with thunderstorms and mild winters.

D. Continental. These regions have warm to cool summers and very cold winters. In the winter, this zone can experience snowstorms, strong winds, and very cold temperatures-sometimes falling below -22°F (-30°C)!

E: Polar. In the polar climate zones, it's extremely cold. Even in summer, the temperatures here never go higher than 50°F (10°C)!

This is roughly where those climate zones appear on a globe:

What does a map of climate zones really look like?

Distance to the equator is only one part of an area's climate. Things like the movement of the oceans and Earth's tilt and rotation also affect how weather patterns move around the globe.

If you classify the United States into climate zones using all of this information, it actually looks something like this:

How can information about climate zones be used?

Climate zones can be useful for gardening and farming. Plants grow best in the climate conditions that are found in their native ecosystem. For example, if you want to plant an apple orchard in your backyard, you should first check to see which varieties of apples are a good match for your region's climate.

How do weather satellites play a role?

Weather satellites mostly help with tracking conditions that are happening right now and forecasting weather in the near future. However, they also collect information that helps us monitor a region's climate over time.

For example, satellites in the GOES-R series -short for Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R-can monitor the sea surface temperature and the Gulf Stream, a powerful current in the Atlantic Ocean. Both of these things can influence a region's climate.

In addition, the temperature of the land becomes cooler at night, and there are changes in the amount of clouds. The GOES-R series satellites monitor cloudiness and land surface temperature-information that helps scientists to understand how the differences between day and night can affect a region's climate.

Satellites in the Joint Polar Satellite System ( JPSS) can also provide information on differences between day and night. For example, JPSS orbits Earth twice a day in what's called an afternoon orbit. As the satellite orbits from North Pole to South Pole, it captures observations in the afternoon on one side of Earth and observations of the early morning on the other side of the planet.

While JPSS orbits, the satellites provide global observations of many other variables that influence climate such as atmospheric temperature and water vapor, snow and ice cover, vegetation, sea and land surface temperature, precipitation and more. These add important information to our records of regional differences in Earth's climate.

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The world is split up into climate zones. Do you know which zone you live in?

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blueandgreentomorrow.com-How Climate Change Is Affecting Our Daily Lives

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How does weather affect the way we live?

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Answer 1:

This is a very important question. Weather has a tremendous affect on peoples daily lives. For instance, it is raining today and looking outside I see far fewer joggers and bikers out today than on typical sunny days in Santa Barbara. People who are outside are wearing warmer (and more) clothing than they normally do, and are making no attempt to linger outside or sunbathe, but instead hurry around to try to rush back inside as fast as possible.

As long as were on the topic of weather, we might as well discuss climate too. It is commonly said, climate is what you expect (or predict), and weather is what you get. This is another way of saying that weather represents the conditions at a specific location on a specific day, while climate is the average conditions over many years. Both have a great impact on how we live, but climate tends to affect lifestyle, social structure, and culture, whereas weather affects daily choices such as those described above. Weather and climate to a large degree determine how we stay warm (or cool) enough to survive, how (and if) we stay comfortable, what modes of transportation we use, what type of clothing we wear, what foods we can grow and eat in an area, and what resources (such as water and trees) are plentiful or rare.

Weather sometimes has some less obvious affects on the way we live, too. For instance, weather patterns control the ocean as well as the land. During storms, we see bigger waves that carry away more sand from our beaches and can destroy kelp forests, washing huge mats of drift kelp onto the beaches. If you are a SCUBA diver or surfer, these factors will have an important effect on your recreational life. Storms also cause a lot of runoff to wash dirt from streets into rivers and streams and out to the ocean, where they may have an impact on bacteria levels in the ocean (many surfers supposedly get sick from bacteria in the water after large storms). Weather patterns can also control fish populations in some areas and have a large effect on fishermen that harvest these fish (and the people who eat the fish).

Here in southern California, it doesn't rain very often so most farmers have to irrigate their fields with water from elsewhere in order to grow food. This creates competition for limited water resources between farming and other interests, such as drinking water, recreation (e.g., swimming pools) and landscaping. Climate and weather strongly control what fruits and vegetables can grow. For instance, next time you visit the supermarket, look at the labels on the fruits and vegetables to see where they are from. Many of them will likely be from California because we can grow a huge variety of food here for two reasons: 1) there are many different climates in California, and 2) many of the climates are favorable for the growth of many of the foods we like to eat. However, you may find some foods that are not grown in California for one of two reasons: 1) that fruit or vegetable cannot grow well enough here to be farmed (such as pineapples), or 2) that fruit or vegetable only grows during certain seasons here and so must be imported from other countries when it is not growing here (such as grapes and apples).

Another important aspect of weather that has a huge effect on our lives is extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, droughts, fires (forest fires), floods, heat waves, or cold snaps and winter storms. For instance, about a dozen people died last year in La Conchita when an anomalously wet rain season caused landslides that buried several houses. The summer before last, thousands died in Europe during an extreme heat wave, and thousands died recently in the southeast during a horrible hurricane season. Some of these extreme events may be consequences of climate change caused by humans and the burning of fossil fuels, while others are just periodic events that happen very infrequently. In many cases, these extreme events are more catastrophic now due to higher human populations. For instance, droughts that cause crops to fail and water sources to dry up are probably harder on areas with many people to feed and water than on areas with fewer people.

There is really no end to the ways that weather and climate affect our lives. I encourage you to look at the things you on a daily basis and think about how they are affected by the weather and climate. Also think about how you live might change when the weather changes here or if different extreme weather events were to occur in this area. Finally, think about how weather changes that occur elsewhere might affect the way you live. For instance, if there were a drought in an area that grows foods that you eat, how would your shopping and eating habits be affected?

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Answer 1: This is a very important question. Weather has a tremendous affect on peoples daily lives. For instance, it is raining today and looking outside I see far fewer joggers and bikers out today than on typical sunny days in Santa Barbara.

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South America

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Why is climate important?

Scenes of flooding and storms show us just how much weather and climate can affect our lives.

Climate affects nearly every aspect of our lives, from our food sources to our transport infrastructure, from what clothes we wear, to where we go on holiday. It has a huge effect on our livelihoods, our health, and our future.

Climate is the long-term pattern of weather conditions in any particular place.

We know that our climate is changing due to humans, and these changes are already having a big impact on our lives.

It's important that we understand how the climate is changing, so that we can prepare for the future.

Studying the climate helps us predict how much rain the next winter might bring, or how far sea levels will rise due to warmer sea temperatures.

We can also see which regions are most likely to be affected by extreme weather, or which wildlife species are threatened by climate change.

What is the climate?

Climate is the long-term pattern of weather experienced in a place.

Weather, on the other hand, describes day-to-day changes in our atmosphere.

You can check the weather by simply looking out the window. But you need a longer term set of observations to understand the climate.

We describe the climate by looking at temperature, rainfall, snow and wind data. This is usually averaged over seasons, years, decades, centuries or more.

If you looked at the average rainfall records for Manchester over the last thirty years, it would help to describe the climate for the area.

It's always handy to pack an umbrella in England, as the climate makes rain very common

Climate is influenced by things like location, whether there are mountains nearby, whether there is water nearby, and how high up it is.

For example, one of the reasons Carlisle has a colder, wetter climate than London because it is further away from the equator. Another reason is that it is closer to mountains, and mountains often encourage rainfall.

Climate is also affected by our atmosphere, a layer of gases that surrounds the earth.

These gases act like a blanket wrapped around the earth, trapping the sun's heat within our atmosphere.

Some gases trap more heat than others. The gases that trap the most heat are called greenhouse gases because they allow heat to reach the earth, but do not let it escape - similar to how a greenhouse works.

The most common greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, methane and ozone, water vapour, nitrous oxides and fluorinated gases.

The more greenhouse gases there are, the warmer the earth's climate becomes.

This means that human activities which release greenhouse gases, like burning fossil fuels, lead to climate change.

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Why is climate important? Scenes of flooding and storms show us just how much weather and climate can affect our lives. Climate affects nearly every aspect of our lives, from our food sources to our transport infrastructure, from what clothes we wear, to where we go on holiday.

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South America Today. - ppt video online download

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Indigenous Cultures European Contact: Spanish, Portuguese and other Europeans changed culture and lives of native people Introduced a new population group; the Mestizos( a mix of Native American or African and European ancestry)

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South America Interactive Map | PBS LearningMedia

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In this interactive map produced by WGBH, explore the continent and countries of South America. Through political, physical, population, and climate map layers and individual country views, learn about the boundaries that define the continent's 12 sovereign states and one overseas region, the geologic features that shape its landscape, and the ethnically and racially diverse people who inhabit its urban centers and remote villages.

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Weather is a specific event-like a rainstorm or hot day-that happens over a few hours, days or weeks. Climate is the average weather conditions in a place over 30 years or more. NASA has observed that Earth's climate is getting warmer.