South America is filled with a diverse range of cultures, climates, and landscapes. From the mysterious Amazon rainforest to the breathtaking Andes Mountains, South America has so many natural wonders to explore. We’ll be exploring some fascinating facts about the continent. From languages to its geography, we’ll be covering the ten most interesting facts about South America.

Want to know more about continents? Check out our Top 10 Facts about the Continents.

1. There are 12 countries in South America.

This includes Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Venezuela.

2. The biggest country in South America is Brazil.

Brazil also has the most people with more than 200 million people.

Learn more about Brazil below with our Top 10 Facts about Brazil!

3. South America has every kind of weather.

Near the Equator, in the Amazon basin across northern Brazil and Colombia, it is hot and humid all year round with lots of rain. But head south, or up into the Andes, and it changes completely. The Atacama Desert in Chile is one of the driest places on Earth, the mountain tops are covered in snow, and Patagonia, at the far south, has enormous glaciers.

4. The world’s largest tropical rainforest is located in South America.

The Amazon is the world’s largest rainforest. It’s home to more than 30 million people and one in ten known species on Earth. It is often called ‘the lungs of the Earth’, which is a lovely idea but not quite true: the forest breathes in nearly as much oxygen as it breathes out. Its real job is storing carbon, billions of tonnes of it, locked up inside the trees. That is why it matters so much that the Amazon is being cut down to grow soy and make space for cattle — burn or fell a tree and the carbon goes straight back into the air. 

5. The Amazon River runs through South America.

The second longest river in the world, The Amazon, is in South America. It contains more water than any other river in the world and is home to many amazing animals including the Amazon River Dolphin. 

6. World’s largest coffee producer Brazil is in this continent.

Brazil grows more coffee than any other country on Earth — millions of tonnes of beans every single year.

Brazil has been the highest producing country for coffee for over 150 years followed by Vietnam in Asia and Colombia in South America.

7. The potato originated from South America.

Despite originating from South America it is Europe which now produces three quarters of the world’s potatoes. 

Other foods which come from South America are chocolate, pineapple and peanuts.

8. Encanto is set in South America.

Disney’s Encanto is set in Colombia – one of the biggest countries on the South American continent. 

Fancy having a go at making the Arepas from Encanto? Check out our recipe!

9. There are two landlocked countries in South America.

There are only two countries in South America completely bordered by land and that have no seaside. These countries are Paraguay and Bolivia.

10. The most spoken language in South America is Spanish.

Spanish is the most widely spoken language in South America followed closely by Portuguese which is the official language of Brazil.

Where in the world?

South America is one of the seven continents. Brazil is its biggest country.

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