South America map
Here you will find Quiz questions about South America map for those who want to test and sharpen your knowledge of the geography of South America. The questions are suitable for both curious beginners and experienced map readers who like tricky details like borders, mountain ranges, rivers, straits and territories. Each question is followed by clear quiz questions and answers, so you can learn something new right after guessing. This is an online quiz that focuses on connecting several clues: where something is located, what it borders, and how nature and history appear on the map. Perfect when you want to challenge yourself, play quickly on your mobile or compare results with friends. The aim is to make map knowledge more fun, concrete and memorable.
A continent of contrasts
The map of South America is a dramatic display of geographical contrasts. It is dominated by two of the world's most powerful natural formations: the Andes, the world's longest mountain range, which stretches like a spine along the entire west coast, and the Amazon, the world's largest rainforest and river system, which spreads across the heart of the continent. These two giants have shaped everything from climate and biodiversity to where people have settled and how countries' borders have been drawn. To understand the map of South America is to understand the interplay between these powerful natural forces and human history.
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Geography and borders
Which country has a coastline on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean?
Answer: Colombia
Colombia is located in the north-west of the continent and has a north coast facing the Caribbean Sea and a west coast facing the Pacific Ocean. This makes the country unique in the region.
Which country in the region is completely landlocked and borders both Peru and Brazil?
Answer: Bolivia
Bolivia is landlocked after losing its coast in the 19th century. The map shows that the country is bordered by Peru to the north-west and Brazil to the north and east.
Which country lies between Ecuador and Chile along the Pacific coast?
Answer: Peru
Peru stretches along the west coast and lies south of Ecuador and north of Chile. The country's narrow coastal strip is clearly visible on maps of the region.
Which is the only country in the region that borders both Argentina and Colombia?
Answer: Brazil
Brazil has borders with almost all of its neighbours, including Argentina to the southwest and Colombia to the northwest. A map clearly shows how large the territory is compared to others.
Which country is located east of Uruguay and has a long Atlantic coastline?
Answer: Brazil
Uruguay borders Brazil to the north and north-east. Brazil's Atlantic coast runs along the eastern side of the continent and is one of the longest continuous stretches of coastline in the world.
Which capital city is close to the equator and located in a country with a Pacific coastline?
Answer: Quito
Quito is located in the Andes near the equator and is the capital of Ecuador. At the same time, the country has a west coast facing the Pacific Ocean, combining highlands and coast in the same country.
Which country has a border with both Guyana and Suriname?
Answer: Brazil
In the north-east of the continent, Brazil borders both Guyana and Suriname. Maps also show that the area is dominated by rainforest and sparse population.
Which country is directly south of Panama and forms a land bridge to Central America?
Answer: Colombia
Colombia is located just south of Panama and connects South America to Central America via the Darién region. On the map, this is visible as the narrow transition between the continents.
Which country in the region has both a border with Chile and an Atlantic coast?
Answer: Argentina
Argentina shares a long western border with Chile across the Andes, while having an eastern coastline facing the Atlantic Ocean. This combination is clearly visible on continental maps with mountains and coastline.
Which is the only country on the continent that has a border with both Ecuador and Colombia?
Answer: Peru
Peru meets Ecuador to the north and Colombia to the north-east via a short stretch of border. This is shown on political maps where the borders of the Amazon region are drawn.
Which country lies between Colombia and Peru and has no sea coast?
Answer: Ecuador
Ecuador is located between Colombia and Peru along the western edge of the continent and has a Pacific coastline. However, it does not have a coastline; it is sometimes confused with landlocked countries.
Which country is located between Peru and Argentina and is known for the Altiplano plateau?
Answer: Bolivia
Bolivia is located between Peru in the north-west and Argentina in the south. The Altiplano is a high plateau in the Andes that is often visible on physical maps through contour lines and mountain markings.
Which country has a border with both Paraguay and Uruguay?
Answer: Argentina
Argentina is bordered by Paraguay to the north and Uruguay to the north-east, with major rivers and estuaries forming natural boundaries. This is clearly visible on maps of the La Plata basin.
Which country is completely surrounded by other countries and lies between Brazil and Argentina?
Answer: Paraguay
Paraguay is landlocked and lies between Brazil to the east and Argentina to the south and west. The country's borders partly follow large rivers, as shown on many maps.
Which country on the North Coast has Dutch as its official language?
Answer: Suriname
Suriname is located on the north coast between Guyana and French Guiana. Dutch is the official language, which distinguishes the country from several neighbours with Spanish or Portuguese.
Which area on the north coast is part of France and therefore the EU?
Answer: French Guiana
French Guiana is a French overseas department on the north coast of South America. It is often marked on maps as a territory separate from independent states in the region.
Which country has the southernmost mainland city of Ushuaia within its borders?
Answer: Argentina
Located at the bottom of Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia is often referred to as the southernmost city in the world. Maps show it near the Beagle Channel at the southern tip of the continent.
Which country has a long, narrow shape along the west coast and extends unusually far in a north-south direction?
Answer: Chile
Chile is known for its extremely narrow geography along the Pacific Ocean. The country straddles many climates and latitudes, which is clearly visible on a South America map.
Which country borders both Venezuela and Brazil but has no Pacific coast?
Answer: Guyana
Guyana is located on the north coast and is bordered by Venezuela to the west and Brazil to the south. The country has an Atlantic coast, not a Pacific one.
Which country borders both Colombia and Brazil and has its capital in the Orinoco region?
Answer: Venezuela
Venezuela is bordered by Colombia to the west and Brazil to the south. The country is linked to the Orinoco basin, which is often marked on maps by river systems and delta areas.
Which border river often separates Argentina and Uruguay in maps of the region?
Answer: Uruguay River
The Uruguay River forms a large part of the border between Argentina and Uruguay. It flows southwards towards the Río de la Plata and is clearly marked on political and physical maps.
Which country is located west of Brazil and east of Peru and is one of the most sparsely populated on the continent?
Answer: Bolivia
Bolivia is located between Peru and Brazil and has large areas of low population density, especially in the lowlands. Maps often show large natural regions compared to few major cities.
Which country has both the Amazon region and the Pantanal within its borders?
Answer: Brazil
Brazil includes large parts of the Amazon and also the Pantanal in the south-west. On maps of natural regions, this is visible as two different ecosystems with different river networks and landscapes.
Which country in the region has a coastline facing both the Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea?
Answer: Venezuela
Venezuela has northern coastlines facing the Caribbean Sea and stretches of coastline that count towards the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Maps often show this via sea names and bays along the coast.
Which country is directly north of Argentina and has borders with both Brazil and Bolivia?
Answer: Paraguay
Paraguay is located north of Argentina and also borders Brazil and Bolivia. The country's inland location is clearly shown on maps, with the Paraguay and Paraná rivers marked.
Let's test your maths knowledge
If you've read the article on the front page of Quizfragor, you know the answer.
Nature, water and map details
Which river forms a huge catchment area and flows into the Atlantic Ocean near the equator?
Answer: Amazon River
The Amazon River drains the world's largest rainforest area and flows eastwards to the Atlantic Ocean. Maps show an extensive network of tributaries covering much of the northern continent.
Which mountain range runs along the western edge and affects the climate on both sides?
Answer: The Andes
The Andes stretch along the west coast and act as a climate barrier. Maps often show how high altitudes coincide with drier areas in the rain shadow and wetter zones on the other side.
Which group of islands is located in the far west of the Pacific Ocean and belongs to a country on the equator?
Answer: Galapagos Islands
The Galápagos Islands are located in the Pacific Ocean west of the mainland and belong to Ecuador. On maps, they are often marked separately because of their distance from the coast.
Which very dry desert is located along the Pacific coast in the north of Chile?
Answer: Atacama Desert
The Atacama Desert is located along the coast of northern Chile and is considered one of the driest regions in the world. Maps often show the area as a narrow zone between the sea and mountains.
Which large wetland is visible inland near the borders of three countries in the south-west?
Answer: Pantanal
The Pantanal is one of the world's largest wetland areas, located mainly in Brazil near Bolivia and Paraguay. On maps, it is often linked to river systems and seasonal flooding.
Which strait separates the mainland from the Tierra del Fuego archipelago?
Answer: Strait of Magellan
The Strait of Magellan is located in the southernmost part and separates the mainland from Tierra del Fuego. It is marked on maps as an important shipping lane between the Atlantic and the Pacific.
Which water body is located at the mouth where the Paraná and Uruguay rivers meet?
Answer: Río de la Plata
The Río de la Plata is a wide estuary where Paraná and Uruguay meet. Maps show it as a large bay between Argentina and Uruguay, often marked as a major shipping route.
Which large high-altitude salt lake in the Andes is shared by two countries?
Answer: Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca is located on the Altiplano and is shared between Peru and Bolivia. On maps, it appears as a large lake in the mountains, far from the coast.
Which river flows through Paraguay and is at the centre of the country's north-south transport route?
Answer: Paraguay River
The Paraguay River flows through the country from north to south, connecting the interior to larger river systems. On maps, it appears as a main axis connecting several cities and tributaries.
Which river is one of the main branches of the La Plata system and flows towards the estuary in the south-east?
Answer: Paraná River
The Paraná River is one of the longest rivers in the region and is part of the La Plata Basin. Maps show how it passes through several countries before reaching the estuary in the south-east.
Which large inland plain is known for agriculture and is mainly located in central Argentina?
Answer: Pampas
The Pampas is a vast grassy and agricultural plain in Argentina. Maps show the area as relatively flat, with few elevation markers compared to the Andes to the west.
Which southern landscape is known for glaciers and fjords and is shared by two countries?
Answer: Patagonia
Patagonia stretches across southern Argentina and Chile, encompassing both dry steppes and humid fjord coasts. Maps show the region far to the south, often with ice fields and glacial areas.
Which ocean current along the west coast contributes to cooler and drier coastal climates in Peru and Chile?
Answer: Humboldt Current
The Humboldt Current carries cold water northwards along the west coast, affecting temperature and precipitation. It is often linked to coastal fog and drier climate zones on maps and in educational material.
Which high waterfall in Venezuela is recognised as the world's highest and is located in a national park area?
Answer: Angel Falls
Angel Falls is located in Venezuela and falls from a tepui, a steep plateau rock formation. On maps of natural attractions, it is placed in the country's south-eastern interior, far from the coast.
Which basin area dominates the north and is associated with the largest rainforest in the world?
Answer: The Amazon Basin
The Amazon basin covers a huge catchment area with dense rainforest and many tributaries. On maps, it appears as a large contiguous region across several countries, especially in the north and west.
Which delta area in the north spreads out many river arms before the water reaches the sea?
Answer: Orinocodelta
The Orinoco Delta is located in north-eastern Venezuela where the river splits into many branches. Maps show the area as a fan-shaped network of waterways and lowlands near the coast.
Which large lake in north-west Venezuela is linked to oil-rich areas?
Answer: Lake Maracaibo
Located near the Caribbean coast of Venezuela, Lake Maracaibo is a large brackish body of water. It is often clearly marked on maps because it is large and close to important industrial areas.
Which mountain peak in Argentina is the highest on the continent and is close to the border with Chile?
Answer: Aconcagua
Located in Argentina near the border with Chile, Aconcagua is the highest peak on the continent. On physical maps, it appears in the Andes with clear height indications.
Which ecoregion name is used for the dry shrub and forest zone in the Gran Chaco area?
Answer: Gran Chaco
The Gran Chaco is a hot, often dry lowland region that spans several countries. On vegetation maps, it appears as a broad zone between the Andes and more humid areas to the east.
Which southernmost canal is associated with the sailing route near Ushuaia?
Answer: The Beagle Channel
Located in the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, the Beagle Channel is a well-known waterway. It appears on maps as a narrow channel between islands, near the southern tip of the continent.
Which major river in northern Colombia flows into the Caribbean Sea and is important for the hinterland?
Answer: Magdalena River
The Magdalena River flows northwards through Colombia and empties into the Caribbean Sea. Maps show it as a central valley between mountain ranges, making it important for transport and settlement.
Which high plateau area in northern Brazil and neighbouring countries is often associated with tepui mountains?
Answer: Highlands of Guyana
The Guyana Highlands are an ancient plateau area in the north with steep table mountains. On landform maps it appears as a block of high ground north of the Amazon basin.
Which large national park in Peru includes the headwaters of several Amazon tributaries and is known for biodiversity?
Answer: Manu National Park
Manu National Park is located in south-eastern Peru and covers gradients from the Andes down into rainforest. On maps of protected areas, it is placed in the transition zone where many tributaries take shape.
Which inland water area in southern Chile is bordered by islands and fjords?
Answer: Chiloé Archipelago
The Chiloé Archipelago is located off southern Chile and is surrounded by channels and fjords. On maps, it appears as a group of islands along a highly indented coastline.
Which map term describes the dashed line that often marks disputed borders in the region?
Answer: Demarcation line
A demarcation line is used on maps to show a boundary that is not fully established or is subject to dispute. Dashing distinguishes it from a definitive, solid boundary line.
