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Uruguay

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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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Fact Monster - A Trusted Reference Site for Kids

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Fact Monster is a free reference site for students, teachers, and parents. Get homework help and find facts on thousands of subjects, including sports, entertainment, geography, history, biography, education, and health.

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Facts About Countries in South America - NationFacts.net

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Argentina is a beautiful tropical country that is located in the southern portion of South America. It is home to 23 provinces and is known as the second largest country in South America. Geographically, it is bordered in the South and West by Chile, in the North by Bolivia and Paraguay, and in the Northeast by Brazil and Uruguay.

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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 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 385 million people living on the continent.

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 21 million inhabitants (2019) 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 (6,437metres/4,000miles). 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 (6,961metres/22,837ft) 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

Popular Pages

Useful Resources for South America Facts:

CIA World Fact Book. Brazil. Accessed 30 September 2019

National Geographic. South America - Physical Geography. Last Updated 4 January 2012. Accessed 30 September 2019

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

Earth Condensed. The World Atlas by Millennium House. 2009

Image Credits on South America Facts page: Shutterstock.com and wikipedia commons Return from South America Facts to Kids-World-Travel-Guide Homepage

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South America Facts for Kids | Geography | Attractions | People

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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 continent is located in the western hemisphere and mainly in the southern hemisphere.

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Countries

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Fun Facts about Countries

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Have fun reading about animals in Australia, rivers in China, rainforests in Brazil, culture in Japan, business in Germany, history in South Africa and much more.

Malaysia

Malaysia is a multi-cultural country full of amazing foods, artworks, people and wildlife.

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Fun Country Facts for Kids - Interesting Trivia & Information

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Fun Facts about Countries Enjoy our range of fun facts for kids from countries all around the world. Travel the globe learning interesting trivia and information related to countries found on continents such as Europe, Asia and North America.

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The Wolrd Factbook

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CountryReports delivers unique content on Culture, Countries and Travel from around the world. Students, tourists, libraries, business and researchers appreciate our ability deliver hard to find, fun and current information. Get started, pick a country!

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Fuente de la imagen, BBC Mundo

Algunos surgen de los nombres de sus pueblos originarios, otros fueron rebautizados tras la llegada de los españoles y portugueses, y otros tantos recuerdan a aquellos que lucharon por la independencia de la región.

En BBC Mundo nos preguntamos cuál es el origen de los nombres de los países de América Latina.

Aquí te mostramos un resumen de las respuestas que encontramos.

ARGENTINA

El nombre del país significa plata y proviene de la palabra del Latín "argentum" y la española "argénteo".

"Por el año 1554, aparece por primera vez en una pieza cartográfica la denominación de Terra Argentea", explica el Ministerio de Defensa de Argentina en su página web.

Y es que el país toma el nombre de su ubicación geográfica a orillas del Río de la Plata, famoso entre los exploradores del siglo XVI como vía de tránsito en el Virreinato del Perú.

BELICE

Una teoría sostiene que el país toma el nombre del río Belice que se encuentra en ese territorio y que derivaría de la palabra maya Balis, que significa "fangoso" o "regado".

Otra versión argumenta que Belice es una mala pronunciación del español del nombre Peter Wallace, un aventurero escocés que se habría establecido en estas tierras, según explica el Diccionario Oxford de Topónimos del Mundo.

BOLIVIA

Tal vez la denominación de este país sea una de las más predecibles de la lista.

Responde a una derivación del nombre del militar y político Simón Bolívar, uno de los padres de la independencia de Sudamérica en el siglo XIX.

BRASIL

El nombre del país surge de un árbol que es de un color rojo intenso casi similar al de las brasas encendidas.

Los portugueses que llegaron a esas tierras lo llamaron Pau Brasil. Es muy común hallar esta especie en este territorio de América del Sur y los aborígenes lo utilizaban por su tinte.

CHILE

Existen muchas teorías de por qué el país adquiere ese nombre.

Algunos historiadores sostienen que el nombre deriva de la palabra chilli del idioma aborigen quechua o aimará, que significa confín, porque era el fin del imperio para los Incas.

Otro dicen que las tierras de chilli o t chili para los Incas eran "frío" o "nieve".

COLOMBIA

Su denominación surge como homenaje al explorador y navegante Cristóbal Colón, que encabezó la primera expedición española que llegó a América en 1492.

El país responde a este nombre desde hace 153 años. Anteriormente fue llamado Nueva Granada y Gran Colombia. Todos estos cambios también estuvieron acompañados de modificaciones en la extensión de su territorio a través de los años.

COSTA RICA

Cristóbal Colón habría sido quien dio nombre a este país al llegar a estas tierras en su cuarto viaje y tras creer que allí encontraría grandes cantidades de oro, según explica el Diccionario Oxford.

Sin embargo, el investigador costarricense Dionisio Cabal sostiene la hipótesis de que el nombre Costa Rica en realidad se escribe Costarrica y proviene de los aborígenes Huetar que habitaban esta zona de América Central. Y su significado apuntaría a cómo estos indígenas llamaban a su pueblo o a un asentamiento dentro de su comunidad.

CUBA

Muchas teorías aparecen en torno al origen y significado del nombre de esta isla del Caribe.

Algunas sostienen que proviene de la palabra Ciba que entre los aborígenes taínos que habitaban estas tierras significa "piedra, montaña, cueva".

Otra es que proviene de la palabra taína cohiba, a la que supuestamente los nativos se referían cuando nombraban a este territorio.

Una tercera es que responde a la palabra árabe coba, que significa mezquita con cúpula y haría referencia a la forma de las montañas que se ven desde la Bahía de Bariay, donde Cristóbal Colón desembarcó.

Y una cuarta (aunque pueden haber más) es que como Cuba está ubicada en el centro del Caribe, su nombre podría ser una derivación del taíno Cubanacan que significa "lugar del centro", según el Diccionario Oxford.

ECUADOR

Este es otro de los pocos ejemplos que encontramos en la región en el que no hay dudas de por qué se llama así.

El nombre responde claramente a la ubicación geográfica del país, en la famosa línea imaginaria del ecuador que divide la tierra en hemisferio norte y sur. Esa denominación la adquirió en 1830 tras la separación del territorio de la Gran Colombia.

EL SALVADOR

El país toma el nombre de El Salvador por una fortaleza española que estaba situada en donde hoy se ubica la capital, San Salvador, según el diccionario Oxford. Si bien la fecha no está registrada, la primera evidencia de su nombre se encuentra en el Archivo de Guatemala, y data del año 1525, explicó el gobierno de El Salvador el año pasado al cumplirse 100 años del nombre oficial de "República de El Salvador", publicó el diario elsalvador.com

GUATEMALA

Documentos sostienen que el nombre de Guatemala ya aparecía con esa grafía en el año 1524, según una investigación del diario Prensa Libre de Guatemala.

Deriva de la palabra Quauhtemallan del idioma náhualt y es el nombre con que los indígenas llamaban al territorio cakchique. Entre los varios significados que responden al vocablo están: "lugar arbolado, acumulación de madera o también tierra de águilas", explicael Diccionario Oxford.

HAITI

Haití deriva del idioma arahuaca, que era la lengua de los habitantes primitivos del lugar y que significa "tierra de montañas".

Ese era el nombre que los taínos le dieron a la parte oeste de la isla que comparte con República Dominicana.

HONDURAS

Al igual que en Nicaragua, Cristóbal Colón también llegó a las cosas de Honduras en su cuarto viaje a principios del 1500. Si bien no está claro quién bautizó a estas tierras, el historiador chileno Robustiano Vera sostuvo que los navegantes describían sus aguas costeras como "honduras o fondos".

Mientras, para el geógrafo francés Elisée Reclus el nombre de Honduras lo designó otro expedicionario: Bartolomé de las Casas, que habló de la tierra de " Hondure" y que tenía origen aborigen, según describe el diario La Tribuna.

JAMAICA

Su nombre proviene también del idioma taíno y responde a la palabra Xaymaca o Yamaya, aunque con las traducciones al español y con el paso de los años terminó en Jamaica. Su significado es "tierra de bosques y agua".

MÉXICO

Algunas teorías sostienen que el verdadero significado de México es "el ombligo de la luna".

NICARAGUA

El nombre de Nicaragua proviene de lengua aborigen, aunque hay discordancia en torno a su significado.

Algunos sostienen que es una derivación del nombre de un jefe indígena llamado Nicarao más la palabra agua. Otros afirman que el grupo de los nahaos denominaron a esta zona Nicanahuac, que significaba "hasta aquí llegaron los nahoas" y con el paso del tiempo la palabra evolucionó en Nicaragua, ante la dificultad de los españoles para pronunciarla, según destaca el diario Hoy de Nicaragua.

PANAMÁ

Este es otro caso cuyo nombre tiene varias interpretaciones.

Se sabe que el país recibe esta denominación nombre por la ciudad de Panamá, capital del país. El origen de la palabra provendría de los pueblos originarios de esa zona. Su significado es "abundancia de peces y mariposas". Otros investigadores dicen que en realidad responde al nombre de un árbol llamado panamá que utilizaban los aborígenes para hacer reuniones.

Una tercera teoría sostiene que Panamá, surge de la frase panna mai de la lengua indígena cuna y que significaba "más allá".

PARAGUAY

Hay dos versiones en torno al significado del nombre. Si bien la denominación también proviene del guaraní, como tantos otros nombres de países de la región, las traducciones a veces no coinciden.

PERÚ

El nombre de este país parece ser anterior a la llegada de los españoles a estas tierras.

Para el Diccionario Oxford, proviene de Birú o Perú, que en guaraní significa "río". Pero según el historiador Raúl Porras Barrenechea Birú era el nombre en realidad de un cacique del sur de Panamá y que, por lo tanto, todas esas tierras recibían ese nombre.

Otras teorías sostienen que Perú surge de la palabra Viru, que es una palabra Quechua.

PUERTO RICO

Los aborígenes taínos que habitaban esta isla la llamaban Boriquén o Borinquen, que significa "Tierra del Altísimo o del Gran Señor". Y de ahí también surge el gentilicio "boricua".

Cristóbal Colón la rebautizó San Juan Bautista. Pero el actual nombre respondería a las riquezas que partían del puerto de San Juan (capital actual de la isla) hacia España.

REPÚBLICA DOMINICANA

Primero se llamó Santo Domingo (nombre actual de su capital). Y luego se la denominó República Dominicana.

Una teoría sostiene que toma el nombre de la orden religiosa de los Padres Dominicos que se estableció en el lugar para evangelizar, explicó la historiadora Celsa Albert Batista.

Otra teoría es que Cristóbal Colón llegó a esta isla un día domingo y por ello el nombre, aunque el navegante denominó a toda la isla (territorio compartido entre República Dominicana y Haití) La Española.

URUGUAY

Se conoce que la palabra proviene de la lengua aborigen guaraní, aunque existen varias versiones en torno a su significado.

Según el Diccionario Oxford de Topónimos del Mundo, el nombre del país pudo haber derivado de uruguä, que para los guaraníes significaba una especie de "mejillón o caracol".

Otra de las teorías que los uruguayos aprenden en la escuela es que el nombre del país significa "río de los pájaros pintados".

VENEZUELA

Es la "pequeña Venecia", ante su parecido con la ciudad italiana, según la definieron los exploradores españoles Alonso de Ojeda y Amerigo Vespucci al observar que las viviendas de los pueblos nativos en las costas de Maracaibo estaban construidas sobre pilotes de madera.

Sin embargo, documentos sostienen que los primeros navegantes que llegaron a estas tierras hicieron contacto con los aborígenes que vivían en una pequeña isla llamada Veneci-uela, según señala un artículo del diario venezolano El Nacional.

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¿Cuál es el origen del nombre de cada país de América Latina? - BBC News Mundo

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Algunos surgen de los nombres de sus pueblos originarios, otros fueron rebautizados tras la llegada de los españoles y portugueses , y otros tantos recuerdan a aquellos que lucharon por la independencia de la región. En BBC Mundo nos preguntamos cuál es el origen de los nombres de los países de América Latina.

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Facts about all the countries

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Fun Facts about Countries

Enjoy our range of fun facts for kids from countries all around the world. Travel the globe learning interesting trivia and information related to countries found on continents such as Europe, Asia and North America.

Have fun reading about animals in Australia, rivers in China, rainforests in Brazil, culture in Japan, business in Germany, history in South Africa and much more.

Malaysia

Malaysia is a multi-cultural country full of amazing foods, artworks, people and wildlife.

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Fun Country Facts for Kids - Interesting Trivia & Information

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Fun Facts about Countries Enjoy our range of fun facts for kids from countries all around the world. Travel the globe learning interesting trivia and information related to countries found on continents such as Europe, Asia and North America.

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Each Country Profile provides information on: Geography · Maps · Flag · History · Current ruler · Area · Population · Capital · Largest cities · Languages · Ethnicity/race · Religion · Literacy rate · Economy · Government

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Encyclopedia of Jewish and Israeli history, politics and culture, with biographies, statistics, articles and documents on topics from anti-Semitism to Zionism.

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Excellent Website

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We will guide you to the best of Costa Rica

Sitting between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica's landscape is painted with towering volcanoes and mountains, lush rainforests, sparking coastal plains and amazing tropical beaches.

The weather is indeed tropical and because of its diversity many micro climates are found throughout the country. But a vacation offers more than a lovely landscape and beautiful weather - this tropical country is steeped in rich history dating back to the 1500's and boasts a community-centric lifestyle that is rare in much of the world.

In Costa Rica, you can wake up to the sound of howler monkeys or toucans chatting with one another, then spend the afternoon learning about the mysterious stone spheres that weigh up to 15 tons.

Nature enthusiasts, environmentalists, surfers, history buffs - no matter what your personality or hobby, a vacation to Costa Rica can provide something amazing to explore or uncover. Rest assured Costa Rica is considered one of the safest countries in Latin America, check out our Safety Tips while traveling in Costa Rica.

It's no surprise Costa Rica is considered the "happiest place on earth."

It's no surprise Costa Rica is considered the "happiest place on earth."

Once you land, you'll find it's easy to experience what Costa Ricans have been talking about since 1956: Pura Vida - a phrase that truly encapsulates the friendly vibe of Costa Rica, and is used by locals and means everything from "Hello," to "This is the life!" If you're looking to fall into the "Pura Vida" lifestyle, check out some of the top activities and accolades:

Although this nation encapsulates a mere 51,100 square kilometers, Costa Rica's biodiversity could fill an entire continent.

Encompassing 12 distinct ecological zones, Ticos are well aware of their natural treasures: it is on its way to becoming the first carbon neutral nation by 2021. Costa Rica is home to 5 percent of the world's biodiversity, and locals are serious about protecting this magnificent environment.

Nature lovers can explore over 100 national parks, reserves, refuges and protected lands - which makes up about 25 percent of the country's land.

Catch site of a scarlet macaw in Corcovado National Park, hang out with mantled howler monkeys at Manuel Antonio National Park or get lost in the beauty of native magnolias in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

You say you're more of a thrill seeker? Costa Rica is a nature lover's playground, and no matter what your mood, you'll find a great adventure to suit it.

While here, you can fly through the canopy in Selvatura Park, hike to thunderous waterfalls or hot springs next to Arenal Volcano National Park or go white water rafting down the thrilling Pacuare River.

Not matter how far off the beaten path you choose to go, its hard to not be at the center of Costa Rica's premier ecological and geological features make sure there's never a dull moment.

The hotels in Costa Rica are set in some of the most beautiful places that are so remote being all inclusive is a necessity. If you prefer urban jungles to green ones, the rich history and modern cultural accolades are sure to please.

Visitors seeking metropolis-aimed vacations can enjoy San Jose's colonial-era architecture juxtaposed with the city's urban street art - the dichotomy creates a dynamic beauty that no other city can quite encapsulate.

The sweet smells of Costa Rican bananas, fresh coffee beans and chocolate can be found at the Central Market, and if you'd like to pick up a souvenir, everything from artisan leather goods to handmade musical instruments can be found here.

What are you waiting for?

Our travel guide can help you plan your vacation today!

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Sitting between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica's landscape is painted with towering volcanoes and mountains, lush rainforests, sparking coastal plains and amazing tropical beaches. The weather is indeed tropical and because of its diversity many micro climates are found throughout the country.

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These pages introduce our expanded coverage of Central and South America, a region of the world that has long been the stuff of legend in the annals of exploration. The glorious empires of the Inca and the Aztec arose here, amid a natural world no less magnificent. At the heart of South America lies the Amazon rainforest, the realm of one of the world's greatest rivers and the richest ecological region on our planet. Along the continent's spine are the Andes, a spectacular wall of snow-capped peaks and sulfurous volcanic turmoil. Add to this some of the world's most fabled resorts and it becomes easy to see why the last few decades have witnessed an exponential growth in travel to Latin America.

Click and Explore...
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Argentina
A country of wide-open pampas and ancient forests, Argentina is as wild as its capital city, Buenos Aires, is sophisticated.

Its vibrant diversity and geographical abundance seem to embody everything that is best in South America. Through the lush heart of Brazil flows the Amazon, and along its coast is found a dazzling string of great cities: the pulse-pounding resort of Rio; sprawling, metropolitan Sao Paulo; and, further north, the entrancing canals and bustling piers of Recife. Brazil

Chile
In the world's longest country -north to south, nature runs the gamut of its most dramatic forms - enormous glaciers, craggy granite spires, and towering volcanic cones dominate the landscape. Torres del Paine National Park is widely held to be the finest park in the Americas.

Costa Rica
In recent years, Costa Rica has nearly become synonomous with the term "ecotourism." Its pristine rainforests are painstakingly protected, and an ever-increasing tide of people come to witness the astounding abundance of plant and animal species each year.

Ecuador
Ecuador arguably has the most intensely varied landscape in South America. You get it all here: the collosal Andes, the Amazon, Pacific beaches, and of course the naturalist's paradise of the Galapagos Islands.

Guyana
Guyana is one of the lesser-known destinations in South America, but it has plenty of prizes for those who wander in. Its great rivers access huge reaches of rain forest, and one could spend a lifetime visiting all of its picturesque waterfalls.

With both the most populous city in the world, and some of the most beautiful beaches, Mexico is a lively destination. A variety of natural wonders from lush tropical rainforests to mountains and deserts make Mexico a gem for the adventurer, but its real treasure is in the spirit of its people.
Mexico

Peru
The landscape of Peru is as epic as its history. The shadows, canyons, and plateaus of the vertiginous Andes hide the remains of one of the world's most extraordinary empires - the Inca - while their eastern slopes are the cradle of the Amazon River itself.

Venezuela
As much a Caribbean country as it is a South American anchor, Venezuela is unique. At night, the capital of Caracas comes to life with the rhythms of the Caribbean. The nation also has a few geographical superlatives, including the world's highest waterfall and South America's biggest lake.

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Geographia - Latin American Destinations

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These pages introduce our expanded coverage of Central and South America, a region of the world that has long been the stuff of legend in the annals of exploration. The glorious empires of the Inca and the Aztec arose here, amid a natural world no less magnificent.

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50 Interesting Facts

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Curious to learn some interesting facts about Spain? If you're planning a trip to Spain soon and are interested in Spanish culture, there's a lot to learn about this awesome country. If you're learning how to speak Spanish, studying the culture of Spain will motivate you and make your studies much more interesting!

So without further ado, here are 50 interesting facts about Spain that you might be surprised to learn.

50 Interesting Facts About Spain & Spanish Culture

1. Not all Spaniards are native speakers of (Castilian) Spanish. There are four official languages in Spain (Castilian, Catalan, Basque and Galician), three unofficial regional languages (Asturian, Aragonese, and Aranese), and several more dialects.

2. The Spaniards have a completely different life rhythm from other Europeans. They typically have lunch between 1 and 3 pm, and dinner around 10 pm.

3. Spanish culture greatly influenced modern art from the late 1800s, with artists like Antoni Gaudí (Art Nouveau), Pablo Picasso (expressionism, cubism, surrealism), Joan Miró (surrealism), and Salvador Dalí (surrealism).

4. Flamenco is not actually a dance; it's a musical style, which sometimes has dancing in it.

5. 58 million tourists go to Spain every year, making it the fourth most visited country in the world.

6. Spain is renowned for its lively festivals, including San Fermín ("running of the bulls") in Pamplona and Tomatina ("tomato battle") in Buñol.

7. More than 150,000 tomatoes are usually thrown at La Tomatina.

8. The official name of Spain is "Kingdom of Spain."

9. The national anthem of Spain has no words.

10. There are no laws about public nudity in Spain.

11. 43% of the world's olive oil production is done in Spain.

12. From 2008 to 2013, the Spanish national football team was named FIFA Team of the Year.

13. Spain won its first World Cup football title in 2010, which made the country the 8th country to have ever won.

14. The tooth fairy is a mere rodent in Spain, referred to as Ratoncito Pérez.

15. Our favorite of all the interesting facts about Spain - Breaks, free time, and siestas are a huge part of everyday Spanish culture.

16. Spain was the world's third most popular tourist destination in 2013 (after France and the US).

17. Don Quixote, the famous book written by Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes in 1605, was voted the "most meaningful book of all time" in 2002 by a panel of top authors.

18. Traditionally, you have two surnames in Spain - the first surname from your father, and the second from your mother.

19. Spaniards celebrate the New Year by eating one grape with their family for each bell strike of the clock.

20. The quill pen is thought to have originated in Spain about 1,400 years ago.

21. The Spanish often use gestures with, or to substitute for, words. Flicking the teeth with the thumbnail, wiggling fingers from the nose, and grabbing the left arm with the right while making a left-handed fist are all thought to be offensive.

22. There are fewer marriages in Spain than in any other EU country, except Sweden.

23. The divorce rate in Spain is 17% (relatively low compared to over 50% in the
USA).

24. Madrid is in the physical center of the country and the plaza Puerta del Sol is the exact center of the country.

25. Spain has the second highest number of bars per inhabitants.

26. Do not be alarmed by a dirty floor in a bar. It is completely acceptable and normal to throw things on the ground in bars. Most of the time a dirty floor means a good bar!

27. Tortillas in Spain are not the same as tortillas elsewhere. Tortilla española refers to a very popular egg and potato dish. Spaniards use the word "tortitas" to refer to flour/corn tortillas.

28. Most households buy fresh bread every day. Traditionally, they are long baguettes called barras or pistolas. Bread is present (and required) at almost every meal.

29. Tomatoes, potatoes, avocados, tobacco, and cacao (for chocolate) were all imported into Europe by Spain.

30. Though Spain is more famous for its red wine than white, the majority of its vineyards have white grapes.

31. Spain is one of the world's biggest producers of saffron, an important ingredient in paella.

32. The Madrid subway is the second largest underground system in Europe and the sixth largest system in the world.

33. The family is the basis of the social structure and includes both the nuclear and the extended family, which sometimes provides both a social and a financial support network.

34. Owning one's home is very important to Spanish people, and some 80% of Spanish households do.

35. The majority of Spaniards are formally Roman Catholic, although different religious beliefs are accepted.

36. People are often referred to as Don or Dona and their first name within formal occasions.

37. If invited to a Spaniard's home, you can bring chocolates, pastries, cakes, wine, liqueur, brandy, or flowers to the hostess.

38. In business, face-to-face contact is preferred to written or telephone communication.

39. Despite the beret being associated with France, the Basques in Northeast Spain invented it.

40. It is not customary to tip in Spain, especially for cheap meals.

41. Each regional country of Spain - Pais Vasco, Cataluña, Galicia - has its own language, hymn, and flag.

42. Barcelona has 15 million visitors per year, while Madrid has only 6 or 7.

43. The Madrid-Barcelona route has the highest number of flights per week in the world.

44. Spain has more than 8,000 beaches.

45. The name Spain diverged from the word Ispania, which means the land of rabbits.

46. Of all the interesting facts about Spain, this one is perhaps the most bizarre. On May 15th all the single women in Madrid visit the chapel called Ermita de San Isidro to prick their fingers with pins and put it in a vessel, in order to find a husband.

47. Same sex marriage has been legal in Spain since 2005.

48. On St. George's Day (April 23rd) in Barcelona, it's customary to exchange a book and/or a rose with the person you love.

49. Spaniards own more cars than cell phones.

50. Spanish people are very fond of food. A famous saying is Barriga llena, corazón contento, which translates to "A full belly and a happy heart"!

For those who are visual learners, here is a fun infographic with dozens of interesting facts about Spain. If these facts don't get you excited about taking a future trip to this beautiful country, we don't know what else will!

Interesting Facts About Spain Infographic -
Do you know any additional interesting facts about Spain or Spanish culture? If so, feel free to leave a comment below and share!

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50 Most Interesting Facts About Spain [Infographic]

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Curious to learn some interesting facts about Spain? If you're planning a trip to Spain soon and are interested in Spanish culture, there's a lot to learn about this awesome country. If you're learning how to speak Spanish, studying the culture of Spain will motivate you and make your studies much more interesting!

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Biography: Historical and Celebrity Profiles

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Read exclusive biographies, watch videos, and discover fascinating stories about your favorite icons, musicians, authors, and historical figures.

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Excellent Website

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Puerto Rico, officially known as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico), is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the U.S. Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.

Puerto Rico is only 100 miles long by 35 miles wide, making it the smallest island of the Greater Antilles. Puerto Rico (Spanish for "rich port") consists of an archipelago that includes the main island of Puerto Rico and several islands: Vieques, Culebra, Mona and numerous islets.

Country Profile

Coordinates: 18°15'N, 66°30'W

Currency: United States Dollar (USD) $

Population: 3,189,068 (July 2020 est.)

Nationality: Puerto Rican

Primary ethnicity: Hispanic

National anthem: La Borinqueña

Government: Democracy, Republic

My name is Magaly Rivera and proud to be Puerto Rican. I invite you to take some time to explore the tropical island of Puerto Rico, where you can find local exotic hideaways, miles of white sandy beaches, mountains and valleys, and many other natural wonders. In addition to the natural splendors you will find yourself surrounded by 500 years of history; and warm and friendly people.

Within these pages you can find a wide scope of information pertaining to the island, its culture and people, and every detail that makes Puerto Rico, a magnificent and unique island.
Did You Know?
Are you looking for web hosting? Media Temple can help!

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Welcome to Puerto Rico! History, Government, Geography, and Culture

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Learn about all things that make the island of Puerto Rico magnificent and unique. Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic. Coordinates: 18°15'N, 66°30'W Climate: Tropical Marine, average temperatures year round between 80 °F (26.7 °C) and 70 °F (21.1 °C).

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Jue 09 Feb, 2012

En Venezuela, desde la época colonial, se celebraban fiestas con música y la presencia de personas con vestidos y máscaras de dragones, diablos y figuras gigantescas.

En la actualidad solo algunas localidades siguen manteniendo no solo la música y el baile, sino también muchas vestimentas tradicionales. De todas estas localidades mencionadas antes, sólo en algunas de ellas se mantiene activa la celebración. Entre éstas tenemos: los diablos de San Francisco de Yare, Naiguatá, Patanemo y los de los pueblos de la costa aragüeña.

También en la ceremonia la vestimenta, las mascaras, instrumentos musicales, los cantos y otros aspectos, presentan diferencias entre los grupos de la costa y los de Yare.

Aquí te dejamos algunos trajes y vestimentas de las mujeres venezolanas:

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Jue 09 Feb, 2012 En Venezuela, desde la época colonial, se celebraban fiestas con música y la presencia de personas con vestidos y máscaras de dragones, diablos y figuras gigantescas. En la actualidad solo algunas localidades siguen manteniendo no solo la música y el baile, sino también muchas vestimentas tradicionales.

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Movie YouTube

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Fall 2020 Special

Follow the Covid Safe logo for tours and tickets 100% Guaranteed at the time of booking + Physical Distances 100% Respected.

Things to do in Barcelona

Incl. skip the lines tickets to Sagrada Familia, Park Güell + Hop-On Hop-Off Bus + Aerobus ...

The Barcelona City Pass is a great option for those who wish to enjoy all of city''s highlights, without the inconvenience of booking several tickets and having to collect the card. Included: Includes skip-the-line tickets for the Sagrada Familia and Park Guëll + Hop-On Hop-Off Bus (24h or 48h) + Aerobus & much more..

More skip the line tickets..

Where to stay?

Accommodation is the first step in preparing your stay. To help you find the right hotel, we have pre-selected BEST, DESIGN, BEACH, YOUTH HOSTELS, AIRPORT HOTELS according to the tourist places of the city like the Ramblas or by the sea. Charming or design but always our favorites!

Our selection of the best hotels

The centre of Barcelona is called Ciutat Vella. It is the old town and its districts such as the Eixample, El Raval, El Born, El Gótico and Barceloneta. It's for sure the ideal area to be during vacation. This guide and handmade selection of city centre hotels will help you to book according to your budget and likes.

Barcelona Tours

For a weekend or a longer stay, our popular selection of the best tours to do alone or in group, by bus, on foot or biking.. Another way to visit!

More Barcelona tours and attractions..

What's hot in Barcelona!

We guide you to the Best !

With our Barcelona City Guide you will discover the places of interest, museums not to miss and our famous where to eat guide!

The City Guide

Visit Catalonia : Best Points of Interest

A guide to discover Catalonia with its 160km long Costa Brava's coastline on the north and its beautifull Costa Dorada, The Golden Coast, on the south.

More on The Catalonia City Guide

More on the city

Find information on major trade shows. Discover places of interest with our photo-tour. Learn how the name of the city became a lot more than a city name..

Find information and dates on major trade shows, congresses and exhibitions located at La Fira. Next to come:

- Hostelco
- B-Travel
- SIL
- Salon Nautico
- Caravaning

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Barcelona Spain - What to see and do in 2020

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Follow the Covid Safe logo for tours and tickets 100% Guaranteed at the time of booking + Physical Distances 100% Respected. Things to do in Barcelona Incl. skip the lines tickets to Sagrada Familia, Park Güell + Hop-On Hop-Off Bus + Aerobus ...

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Where to go, best places to stay, travel tips and and best holiday destinations - inspiration from the experts at Lonely Planet.

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Spain

Things to Know
The offical name of Spain is the Kingdom of Spain.

Capital: Madrid

Currency: Euro
Language: Spanish
Religion: 90% Catholic

Spain is located in Southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula.

Spanish terriory includes the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza) in the Mediterranean Sea. The Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean and Ceuta and Melilla in northern Africa.

Spain and Portugal share the Iberian Peninsula, a vaguely square-shaped country at the far southwestern edge of Europe. The Iberian Peninsula also includes the countries of Andorra and the British Crown colony of Gibraltar.

Animals

Spain has many different types of wildlife as the country has forests, woodlands, and seashore.

The Iberian lynx is native to Spain, it is the most endangered and the only large
carnivore in Europe.

Along the seashore can be seen dolphins, seals, otters, and whales

Explorers

The Age of Exploration began in the 15th century with Europeans exploring regions of the world for commercial, military, scientific, religious, and other purposes. Spain and Portugal led the Europeans into the Age of Discovery.

Many European explorers traveled to the New World.

Latin America covers all the Americas south of the U.S. border - Mexico, Central America, South America, Puerto Rico and the West Indies. Most of its people speak Spanish or Portuguese and belong to the Roman Catholic Church.

Land

Climate
Hot summers and cold winters in the interior. Partly cloudy and cool along coast.
Mountians
There are five big mountain ranges crossing Spain. Spain is the most mountainous country in Europe.

The Pyrenees Mountain ranges are a natural border between France and Spain. It separates the Iberian Peninsula from the rest of Europe

In the southernmost part of Spain is the Mountain Range Sierra Morena.

Plants

Esparto grass is a coarse grass, native to Southern Spain, which is used for making paper.

The dry Spain has a combination of wood-land and scrub that can thrive with very little moisture.

In the Mediterranean area holm oak-cork forests are interspersed with a coniferous mass dominated by the Aleppo pine. In the higher altitudes, is conifers more suitable to mountainous regions, such as the larch and the Scotch pine. A type of desert with very scant vegetation extends to the shores of the Mediterranean in the southeastern parts of Andalusia.

A typical forest of holm oaks and cork trees survives in Andalusia. In the Southwest parts of Andalusia several exotic species of plants are frequently found, such as the dwarf fan palm, the Indian prickly-pear and aloe plants.

Artist

Art Lesson Picasso Face
If you have access to a variety of materials a fun face for children to make is with material. Choice one material for the face. Choice different materials for the facial features. Add ear-rings with a different material. Fun and easy for all ages.

A. Pintura: Art Detective
Play this game and learn about Picasso and many other artists.

Pablo Picasso Video

Music

Guitar: Antonio Torres Jurado(1859)
History of the Guitar

Children's Music Review

The Song of the Torero
Calvin B. Burke (Artist), Kim Maerkl (Artist, Composer), Gruber & Maklar Duo (Artist)
Print

The Song of the Torero
Click The Song of the Torero to order.

Holidays

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pirate activites for school age children

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Spain Things to Know The offical name of Spain is the Kingdom of Spain. Capital: Madrid Currency: Euro Language: Spanish Religion: 90% Catholic Spain is located in Southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Spanish terriory includes the Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza) in the Mediterranean Sea.

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Why do we need to look at a World Map?

We need a world map to act as a reference point to all that what is happening in various parts of the world. A world Map works best with the data set it is mashed-up with. A World Map is a representation of all continents and countries in the world. Looking at a world map tells us the depth and shallowness of our knowledge about our world, at the same time.

HERE IS A CLICKABLE MAP OF THE WORLD
(click on a country to view its map)

All efforts have been made to make this World Map accurate. However Compare Infobase Limited, its directors and employees do not own any responsibility for the correctness or authenticity of the same.

The 206 listed states of the United Nations depicted on the world map are divided into three categories: 193 member states, 2 observer states, and 11 other states. The 191 sovereign states, are the countries whose sovereignty is official, and no disputes linger. There are 15 states under the category of "sovereignty dispute". There are 5 member states, 1 observer state and 9 other states. This image of map of the world is current as on date January 01, 2019.

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We need a world map to act as a reference point to all that what is happening in various parts of the world. A world Map works best with the data set it is mashed-up with. A World Map is a representation of all continents and countries in the world.

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Mexico is a land of extremes, with high mountains and deep canyons in the center of the country, sweeping deserts in the north, and dense rain forests in the south and east.

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Puerto Rico / Cuba / Republica Dominicana

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Puerto Rico / Cuba / Republica Dominicana

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Music and Dance

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Puerto Rico is the smallest and easternmost island of the Greater Antilles. 1 The island was originally inhabited by several different tribes if Amerindians, but the primary tribe being the Taínos. The Taínos, also found on the island of Hispaniola, were the most culturally advanced, having cultivated mot of the island.

In 1492, the Spanish Crown granted Christopher Columbus the funds to explore the New World. In November 1493, Columbus and his crew landed on the island that the Taínos called El Borinquen. Columbus' visit was short and the island remained untouched by the Spanish until Juan Ponce de Leon returned fifteen years later. 2 Ponce de León established a good rapport with the Taínos. By gaining the trust of the natives, he gradually begins to use them as laborers. The Spanish Crown sees the benefits of the sugar cane and gold and demands one-fifth of the profits. As the demand for these products increased, life became intolerable for the workers. As a result of working under cruel conditions and under the harsh rule of the Spaniards, most Taínos were killed during the early stages of colonization. 3 The demand for work steadily increased as the amount of workers diminished. To make up for the lose; the Spaniards began to import slaves from West Africa. 4 "The mixing of the Indian, Spanish and African cultures generated an abundant source of stories, proverbs, songs, dances, and expressions which has been kept alive over the centuries." 5

After the United States took Puerto Rico under its wing as a commonwealth after the Spanish-American war in 1898, many Puerto Ricans migrated to the mainland. The numbers became overwhelming in the mid-twentieth century. From 1940-1960 over 600,000 native-born Puerto Ricans migrated to the United States, bringing with them their food, music, language, and traditions to the barrios of East Harlem, South Bronx, and Jersey. 6

While in the United States, Puerto Ricans faced everday instances of racism. As a cry for equal rights, the Independence of Puerto Rico, and control of their community, the Young Lords' Party was formed. During this movement, music was used as a form of expression that reflected the times. While keeping a strong connection to their native music, La Bomba and La Plena, Puerto Ricans added Rock elements to La Plena, transforming it into the what we know now as Salsa. As Puerto Rican culture began to make its' mark in the United States, it also began to blossom. "While U.S. Rock and Roll allowed us to differentiate ourselves generationally from our parents....the Latin music constantly invited all in the audience to partake in the pleasures of familiar rhythms, melodies, and intimate romantic ballads to which our parents and grandparents had also sung and danced to during their youth." 7

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Puerto Rico is the smallest and easternmost island of the Greater Antilles. 1 The island was originally inhabited by several different tribes if Amerindians, but the primary tribe being the Taínos. The Taínos, also found on the island of Hispaniola, were the most culturally advanced, having cultivated mot of the island.