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Thanks, Braydon
Seterra

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Can you remember the names of all the 50 states? Prove it in our great typing challenge, and earn a spot on the public leader board!

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Thank you, Andrew!

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This is a quiz called States- Spelling and was created by member flemingwnes5

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Thanks, Sam

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Play a Geography Quiz on Sporcle, the world's largest quiz community. Sporcle has 165,597 Geography Quizzes that have been played 1196449532 times.

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Merci, Sam!

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World Geography Games - Let's play and learn about the world

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Brain-engaging geography games to test your knowledge about Continents, Countries, Capitals, Flags, US States, Cities, Islands, Oceans, Seas, Rivers, Mountains and more.

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However, Tokyo is the largest city in the world if the entire Tokyo metro area is included, with a total of more than 38 million residents. Another Japanese city, Osaka, also has a very large population of almost 20.5 million.

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Thank you, Owen D.!

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Play a Geography Quiz on Sporcle, the world's largest quiz community. Sporcle has 165,597 Geography Quizzes that have been played 1196449532 times.

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National Geographic

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South America, the fourth-largest continent, extends from the Gulf of Darién in the northwest to the archipelago of Tierra del Fuego in the south.

South America's physical geography, environment and resources, and human geography can be considered separately.

South America can be divided into three physical regions: mountains and highlands, river basins, and coastal plains. Mountains and coastal plains generally run in a north-south direction, while highlands and river basins generally run in an east-west direction.

South America's extreme geographic variation contributes to the continent's large number of biomes. A biome is a community of animals and plants that spreads over an area with a relatively uniform climate.

Within a few hundred kilometers, South America's coastal plains' dry desert biome rises to the rugged alpine biome of the Andes mountains. One of the continent's river basins (the Amazon) is defined by dense, tropical rain forest, while the other (Paraná) is made up of vast grasslands.

With an unparalleled number of plant and animal species, South America's rich biodiversity is unique among the world's continents.

Mountains & Highlands

South America's primary mountain system, the Andes, is also the world's longest. The range covers about 8,850 kilometers (5,500 miles). Situated on the far western edge of the continent, the Andes stretch from the southern tip to the northernmost coast of South America. There are hundreds of peaks more than 4,500 meters (15,000 feet) tall, many of which are volcanic.

The highest peak in the Andes, Aconcagua, stands at 6,962 meters (22,841 feet) and straddles the Argentina-Chile border. Aconcagua is the tallest mountain outside Asia.

High plateaus are also a feature of the Andes. The altiplano of Peru and Bolivia, for example, has an elevation of about 3,700 meters (12,300 feet). The Patagonia region of Argentina and Chile consists of lower-elevation plateaus and rugged glaciers.

Most plants in the alpine biome are small, and their leaves are stiff and strong to protect them from frost and drought. The largest herb in the world, Puya raimondii, is known as the Queen of the Andes. A Puya raimondii can live for 100 years and can grow to more than 9 meters (30 feet) tall. The leaves of this endangered species all grow from one woody stem, allowing moisture to run down the leaves to the base of the plant.

Outside the Andes, South America has two principal highland areas: the Brazilian Highlands and the Guiana Highlands. Located south of the Amazon River in Brazil, the Brazilian Highlands are made up of low mountains and plateaus that rise to an average elevation of 1,006 meters (3,300 feet). The Guiana Highlands are located between the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers. The heavily forested plateau of the Guiana Highlands covers southern Venezuela, French Guiana, Guyana, northern Brazil, and a portion of southeastern Colombia.

River Basins

South America has three important river basins: the Amazon, Orinoco, and Paraguay/Paraná.

The Amazon River basin has an area of almost 7 million square kilometers (2.7 million square miles), making it the largest watershed in the world. The basin, which covers most of northern South America, is fed by tributaries from the glaciers of the Andes. Every second, the Amazon River empties 209,000 cubic meters (7,381,000 cubic feet) of freshwater into the Atlantic Ocean.

The Amazon River is the life force of the equally vast Amazon rain forest, which makes up about half of the rain forest of the entire planet. This tropical biome has as many as 100 different tree species on a single acre, including the rubber tree, silk cotton tree, and Brazil nut tree. Other important plant species include palms, ferns, and ropelike vines known as lianas that network throughout the rain forest's dense canopy.

The diversity of animal life in the Amazon rain forest is un surpassed in the rest of the world. The rain forest is perfectly suited for arboreal, or tree-living, animals. More than 2 million species of insects are native to the region, including hundreds of spiders and butterflies. Primates are abundant-howler monkeys, spider monkeys, and capuchin monkeys-along with sloths, snakes, and iguanas. Thousands of native birds include brightly colored macaws, parrots, toucans, and parakeets.

The Orinoco River flows north of the Amazon. The Orinoco flows in a giant arc for more than 2,736 kilometers (1,700 miles), originating in the Guiana Highlands of northern Brazil and discharging in the Atlantic Ocean in Venezuela. The Orinoco River basin covers an area of about 948,000 square kilometers (366,000 square miles) and encompasses approximately 80 percent of Venezuela and 25 percent of Colombia.

A vast savanna or grassland region, known as the Llanos, is the primary biome of the Orinoco River basin. The Llanos is primarily made up of grasses. Swamp grasses, sedges, and bunchgrass are found in wet, low-lying areas. Carpet grass is found in the higher and drier elevations.

Like most grassland biomes, the Llanos is the perfect habitat for many bird species, including the scarlet ibis, bellbird, and umbrellabird. Important river species include the piranha, electric eel, and the Orinoco crocodile, which can reach a length of more than 6 meters (20 feet).

The Paraguay/Paraná River basin covers almost 2.8 million square kilometers (1,081,000 square miles), which is much of southeastern Brazil and Bolivia, Paraguay, and northern Argentina. The Paraná River includes Iguazu Falls, a massive series of waterfalls that extend for 2.7 kilometers (1.7 miles).

Along with the Uruguay River, the Paraná River empties into the Rio de la Plata estuary between Argentina and Uruguay. The Rio de la Plata is the most populated region of both countries. The capital cities of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Montevideo, Uruguay, practically face each other across the estuary.

The Paraguay/Paraná River basin supplies water to the plains biome, or Pampas, of South America. The Pampas have rich, fertile soil and predictable rainfall patterns. They are the most important grazing and cropland areas on the continent.

Coastal Plains

A coastal plain is an area of low, flat land next to a seacoast. South American coastal plains are found on the northeastern coast of Brazil, on the Atlantic Ocean, and the western, Pacific coast of Peru and Chile. The coastal plains of northeastern Brazil are extremely dry. The Brazilian Highlands act as a wedge that pushes moist sea winds away from the coastal plains.

The western coastal plains are also extremely dry. They are trapped between the cold Peru Current to the west and the Andes Mountains to the east. The Peru Current brings cold water to the Pacific coast of Peru and Chile. This cold surface water results in thermal inversion: cold air at sea level and stable, warmer air higher up. Thermal inversion produces a thick layer of clouds at low altitudes. These low-lying clouds blanket much of the Pacific coast of South America. They do not allow precipitation to form.

The Atacama Desert is part of the western coastal plain. The Atacama is considered the driest region in the world. The average rainfall is about 1 millimeter (0.04 inches) a year, and some parts of the Atacama have never had rain in recorded history.

Very few plants grow in this desert. Even bacteria, insects, and fungi are scarce. Larger animal species are also rare, and include the grey fox, a type of deer called the huemul, and the viscacha-the largest member of the chinchilla family. Ocean birds, such as penguins, cormorants, and pelicans, are found on the desert coast. While Atacama lacks flora and fauna, it is a rich source of copper and a chief source of revenue for the Chilean economy.

Credits

Media Credits

The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited.

Writers

Diane Boudreau
Melissa McDaniel
Erin Sprout
Andrew Turgeon

Illustrators

Mary Crooks, National Geographic Society
Tim Gunther, Illustrator

Editors

Jeannie Evers, Emdash Editing
Kara West

Educator Reviewer

Nancy Wynne

Producer

Caryl-Sue, National Geographic Society

Sources

Dunn, Margery G. (Editor). (1989, 1993). "Exploring Your World: The Adventure of Geography." Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society.

Last Updated

Jan. 4, 2012

User Permissions

For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. If you have questions about licensing content on this page, please contact ngimagecollection@natgeo.com for more information and to obtain a license. If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please visit our FAQ page.

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Text

Text on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service.

Interactives

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South America, the fourth-largest continent, extends from the Gulf of Darién in the northwest to the archipelago of Tierra del Fuego in the south. South America's physical geography, environment and resources, and human geography can be considered separately. South America can be divided into three physical regions: mountains and highlands, river basins, and coastal plains.

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videos

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The National Geographic Bee is an annual competition organized by the National Geographic Society, designed to inspire and reward students' curiosity about the world. Students in grades four through eight (4-8) from 10,000 schools across the United States will compete in the 2018 National Geographic Bee for a chance to win college scholarships and the glory of being the National Geographic Bee Champion.

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1100 varied and interesting questions about the United States. The questions encourage the player to think and make connections using a map.

Maps of all of the 50 U.S. states, labeled and unlabeled, for classroom and student use. Free.

Free online software to print outline maps - one page to 7 feet wide.

Megamaps - free maps large and small
Great for classroom maps.

Maps by Place:

World:

Print World Maps
Online Atlas Continents and Regions Maps
Continents Map Puzzle
World Features Map Puzzle
World Monuments Map Puzzle

Europe:

Online Map of Europe
Online Atlas Maps of the Countries of Europe
Europe Map Puzzle
Print Maps of Europe and European Countries

United States:

Online Atlas maps of the United States
Make Your Own USA
Online Map of the United States
Printable U.S. State Maps - labeled and unlabeled
United States Map Puzzle - States and Capitals
United States Features Map Puzzle
Print Maps Large and Small of the United States and all of the states

Asia:

China Provinces Map Puzzle
Online Map of Asia
Online Atlas maps of the countries of Asia
Asia Map Puzzle
Print Maps of Asia and Asian Countries

Africa:

North America:

North America Map Puzzle
Mexico States Map Puzzle
Online Atlas maps of North America
Print Maps of North America and North American Countries
Mexico States Map Puzzle

Central America and the Caribbean:

South America:

Middle East:

South East Asia and Australia:

Online Atlas maps of Australia and Oceania
Online Map of Southeast Asia and Australia
Southeast Asia And Australia Map Puzzle Print Maps of Asia and Asian Countries
Print Maps of Australia and Southeast Asia

Mexico:

Online Map of Mexico
Online Atlas Map of Mexico
Print Maps of North America and North American Countries

Canada:

For computers without an Internet connection.
Download and install - PC only. See links above for newer online Map Puzzles - no download and installation; PC or Mac.

U.S. States and Capitals Map Puzzle
U.S. Features Map Puzzle
Canada Provinces, Territories and Capitals Map Puzzle
World Continents Map Puzzle
World Features Map Puzzle
Europe Map Puzzle
Asia Map Puzzle
Australia and South East Asia Map Puzzle
South America Map Puzzle
Central America and Caribbean Map Puzzle
Africa Map Puzzle
World Monuments Map Puzzle
Middle East Map Puzzle

Maps that Teach take advantage of the fact that geography is spatial. They also utilize the way kids learn best, by actively participating in their learning; learning by doing. As students assemble the maps, they build a permanent mental picture of their world.
From Maps that Teach, a student will learn about the continents and where they are in relation to each other; the countries of the world, their capitals and major cultural landmarks, physical features; what is far and what is near.
For the United States, students will learn the states, their capitals, major physical features, and important historic routes that established connections between parts of the country. Students need more than a rote memorization of state names and capitals in order to make U.S. geography meaningful. They should have an understanding of where states are in relation to each other, and the physical characteristics of each region. U.S. students should have a permanent mental picture of their country in their heads, so that any thing they learn about their country can immediately be related to a place.
Maps that Teach are also a lot of fun. They are all played as games, individually or in a group, competitively or not. Can you point to Zimbabwe on a map of Africa? Do you know where the Vietnam war took place? Can you find the Spice Islands (on a map, not in a boat)? Done as a complete program, Maps that Teach will give a student a solid basis in both U.S. and world geography. It is an easy and fun way for your kid to know, "Where in the world am I?"
Maps that Teach have several different formats of learning maps, to be used in conjunction with each other: For each continent or major region of the world, we offer an on-line, interactive map. When the mouse cursor is moved over an area, its name and capital can be seen. These maps can be used to ask, and then check, correct identification of states or countries and their capitals.
For each of these areas, there is also an interactive map puzzle, in which a country or state appears, to be placed in the correct place on the map. Each map puzzle also has a similar program for learning the capitals. Because they are interactive, map puzzle help students learn a permanent picture of the map.
Further, there is a map puzzle of major cultural landmarks around the world, and maps of the major physical features of the world, and of the US. It is one thing to learn that the Appalachian mountains run from Maine down into Georgia; actually putting the Appalachians in the proper place on a map makes it memorable.
We also offer free US and world maps (outline maps) to be printed out on any PC printer, in sizes ranging from a single page to over 7 feet across. Since the maps are free, they can be used freely - tracing the route of Around the World in Eighty Days, or Magellan's Voyage, or the journey of Lewis and Clark; drawing pictures of the forts along the Oregon Trail; marking trade routes and explorations. Mark, trace, draw, color or write on them-they are meant to be used. By using the full range of maps in Maps that Teach-countries, capitals, monuments, mountain ranges, rivers - students will gain a permanent mental map of the US and of the world. They will have the basis of a life-long knowledge of geography, and a beginning to all the knowledge for which geography is the basis.

Suggestions for using the maps in Maps that Teach:

Each continent's Map Puzzle teaches the name and location of the countries and capitals. A country appears on the screen, with its name, and the student places it in the correct position on a map of the continent. In a similar game, the capital has to be placed in the correct country. A separate game has students place major mountain ranges (Andes, Himalayas, Alps), rivers, deserts and jungles on a map of the world. Learned this way, a basic knowledge of where features are becomes a permanent mental picture. Yet another map teaches the location and significance of major world monuments.
The United States map puzzle shows a state with its name, to be placed in the correct location. The capitals are then placed (in a separate game) within their state. Students can learn the location of the physical features-mountains, rivers, lakes, etc.-and their location in relation to the state boundaries, to form an enduring mental picture of the U.S.
On-line interactive maps show the countries and capitals of a continent or region-Asia, Africa, South America, Europe, Middle East or Central America-as the computer mouse moves over the country. Surrounding areas of land or water are also named.
With on-line interactive maps, students can give an answer, then check it by moving the computer mouse, or one student can label a country and its capitals (with a pencil or pointer), then another can use the computer mouse to check his answer. Another way to use these maps is to print them out, have the student write the country and capital on the map, and then check the answers with the computer.
MegaMaps will print outline maps on an ordinary PC printer from a single page to over 7 feet across. They can be used to compliment the study of any period of history where there was migration or movement-which is almost all of them. A large version can be printed and used as a puzzle for students to assemble, then the map can be hung on the wall. Younger students may want to cut out pictures and paste on the appropriate places on the map.
Students can trace anything from the journey of Lewis and Clark to the routes of the Underground Railroad to the main battles of the Civil War on the U.S. map. Any place it would be useful to have a map that can be changed or drawn upon, you can use these free maps. The world maps can be used similarly, to show voyages of discovery, migrations, the spread of empires, etc.

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U.S. and World Maps and Puzzles - Free Maps That Teach

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Learn United States and World geography with Maps that Teach. All of the free maps and map puzzles from Owl and Mouse.

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When it works, it's great!

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Aw snap! The new Google Earth isn't supported by your browser yet. Try this link in Chrome instead. If you don't have Chrome installed, download it here.

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Good Source for Spelling too!

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Scroll down for the U.S. list of states capitals. The capital city names are in alphabetical order by state.

Memorizing the state capitals is a common memory exercise in schools. But remembering fifty of anything is a challenge.

That's why I recommend using the "visualization association" (mental images) method for this task.

To learn more, go to my Memorize State Capitals page. That page provides several detailed examples of how that memory technique works.

Memory techniques such as visualization-association are not only effective for remembering lists. You can use them to memorize people's names, the facts in a book, math formulas, foreign language vocabulary, and practically anything else.

Note: If you're looking for a list of U.S. states without the capital cities, see my 50 States page.

U.S. State Capitals List

For a printer-friendly list, click this printable list of states capitals link. This opens a PDF page that you can print out.

The Journey method is an effective technique for memorizing the list of states capitals. The Peg method also works well, if you have at least 50 pegs memorized in advance.

I memorized the U.S. state capitals a few years ago using the Journey method. The route that I linked the states to was a walking tour of the first floor of the company building where I worked!

You might not realize it, but large rooms often have numerous items that you can use as part of a route.

The key to successfully memorizing the list is to be able to clearly visualize all of those items, so you have to be very familiar with the room.

I'd walked through that first floor area every day for years. I could easily visualize where all the chairs, desks, carpets, stairs, mailboxes, even wall hangings and pictures were.

It was a big room, so I didn't need to jam the mental images close together at all. To recall the state capitals, I simply toured the room from one side to the other in my mind.

Very few people can name all the U.S. state capitals. So if you succeed in memorizing this list, consider yourself brilliant!

Then, if you're ready for an even bigger challenge, try memorizing the world capitals next.

If you found the page above interesting, fun, or useful, please click the "Like" and/or "G+" buttons below. Feel free to leave a comment as well. Thanks very much!

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List of States Capitals, U.S. - Alphabetical List of the 50 U.S. State Capitals

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Scroll down for the U.S. list of states capitals. The capital city names are in alphabetical order by state. Memorizing the state capitals is a common memory exercise in schools. But remembering fifty of anything is a challenge. That's why I recommend using the "visualization association" (mental images) method for this task.

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states and caps

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The U.S.: State Capitals - Map Quiz Game - Seterra

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What's the capital of Kentucky, Lexington or Louisville? Trick question, the answer is Frankfort. If that question stumped you, it's time to study up before that next geography quiz. Use this map quiz game to learn them all.

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USA State Capitals Quiz - Online Quiz Game - Vacations.info

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USA State Capitals Quiz - Online Quiz Game - Vacations.info

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The United States Postal Service (USPS) has established a set of uppercase abbreviations to help process mail using automated equipment. The postal abbreviations are the same as the ISO 3166-2 subdivision codes for each of the fifty states.

Seterra is an entertaining and educational geography game that lets you explore the world and learn about its countries, capitals, flags, oceans, lakes and more! You can access the Seterra online quiz site using your computer, phone, or tablet running the latest version of most web browsers, including Safari, Firefox, Chrome, and Internet Explorer.

There's also a Seterra app that runs on iOS and Android phones and tablets! The Seterra app offers two game modes, plus high score lists to keep track of your progress. Also, with the app, you can play offline!

Keywords: Geography games, quiz game, blank maps, geogames, educational games, outline map, exercise, classroom activity, teaching ideas, classroom games, middle school, interactive world map for kids, geography quizzes for adults, human geography, social studies

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The U.S.: State Abbreviations - Map Quiz Game: The United States Postal Service (USPS) has established a set of uppercase abbreviations to help process mail using automated equipment. The postal abbreviations are the same as the ISO 3166-2 subdivision codes for each of the fifty states.

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Cram.com

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Anchor Dates Foreign Language Flashcards - Cram.com

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Trying to learn Vietnamese? We can help! Memorize these flashcards or create your own Vietnamese flashcards with Cram.com. Learn a new language today.

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List the Countries of the World Quiz - Online Quiz Game - Vacations.info

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List the Countries of the World Quiz - Online Quiz Game - Vacations.info

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Presidents of the United States Quiz - Online Quiz Game - Vacations.info

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Presidents of the United States Quiz - Online Quiz Game - Vacations.info

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Scale 18 Geography Game

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world map quiz in html5 canvas and audio demo sample learn website design

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World Map Quiz in HTML5 canvas and audio demo

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LizzardPoint Geo Game

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Test your geography knowledge - clickable map quizzes

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Clickable Map Quizzes of the world - just click on the map to answer the questions. Great geography practice for students in elementary school, middle school, high school, colleges and universities.

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Can you name the presidents of the United States of America? Test your knowledge on this history quiz to see how you do and compare your score to others.