See What I Saw in South America Quiz

Answer: Phrygian cap

The Phrygian cap is a part of several of the seals, flags and coats of arms among the Latin and South American countries. The origin of the cap is in Europe, though, including the ancient area of what became Turkey known as Phrygia - hence the name. Historically the soft, conical-shaped, red cap has represented slaves and other "rebels" who were forced to fight for their freedom. On the Coat of Arms of Argentina the joined hands, wooden pike and red liberty cap also represent their motto with this (loosely) translated explanation: In unity there is power and in power there is freedom.

Answer: True

It is true. Lake Titicaca is in the west of Bolivia and touches Peru at a south-eastern border Peru shares with Bolivia. Lake Titicaca acts as a natural border between the two. Its location within the Andes Mountains gives Lake Titicaca a high elevation - it is 12,500 feet above sea level - which may challenge those who are not accustomed to high altitudes. Bolivia depends on the incredible beauty and extensive history within its country - near Lake Titicaca and other areas - to encourage tourism.

There are many Inca ruins in Bolivia that can be dated back thousands of years.

Answer: Emerald

It is an emerald. Fine emeralds should be medium to dark green. The presence of inclusions (often seen as black specs with the naked eye) is not a serious fault for most emeralds but the stone should be free of cracks that would make it undesirably fragile. Rio de Janeiro in Brazil has been labeled the gemstone capital of the world due to the abundance and variety of high quality gemstones.

In addition to emeralds, nice tourmalines and aquamarines can be found there, too. Not all is sparkly and bright, though, with the mining of Brazil's gemstones. Brazil has a long history of crime, abuse and misuse related to the acquisition and distribution of this natural resource.

Answer: Chile

Chile is a unique country in many ways. Its topography runs a gamut from some of the driest desert in the world in its northern most regions to glaciers and fjords in its southern most area. The central area of Chile is where you could find forest, volcanoes and some of the most magnificent beaches - often compared to those desirable beaches of the Mediterranean. Easter Island is a part of Chile.

Answer: Bogotá

Bogotá is centrally located within Colombia. In the scheme of the western hemisphere it is an old city - founded by Spanish explorer, Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada, in the mid-sixteenth century. As has the entire country of Colombia, Bogatá has made efforts to improve its reputation as a world site. Improvements have been made in its cultural offerings to include exhibits of international interest.

Theaters, museums and libraries have opened and are highly rated. In many advertisements Colombia can now boast that Bogotá is "The Athens of South America". Capitalizing on Colombia's natural resource of abundant agriculture, many efforts have been made to attract those seeking unsurpassed cuisine. Colombia has long been the choice to find the very best coffee and bananas.

Answer: Ecuador

As with several of the countries in South America, Ecuador is known for its biodiversity; it has perhaps the greatest biodiversity per square kilometer in the world. As a nod to the people of Ecuador it has become a top priority (beginning in the early 21st century) to protect its biodiversity with a constitutional plan that will (to quote from that plan) "guarantee the rights of nature". Kudos to the Ecuadorians! A bit about Mount Chimborazo: As of the early 21st century, it has been considered an inactive volcano with its last eruption believed to have been in the sixth century.

Answer: Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands have been the subject of controversy for many, many years. A census conducted in the early 21st century shows that huge majority of the population (which is very small - at that time less than 3,000) are descendants of settlers from Great Britain and tend to favor the administration of government by Great Britain. Yet, its obvious geographic placement would certainly have it included with, if not governed by, a part of South America.

The Falkland Islands have much to offer with their flora and fauna.

The natural resources of this island provides an economy that depends heavily on the fishing/oceanic industry.

Answer: France

Guiana is on the east coast of South America and share borders with Brazil, Suriname and the Atlantic Ocean. The sparsely populated territory of Guiana (often referred to as French Guiana) is a part of France. As a part of France, Guiana is also a part of the European Union, its official language is French and its currency is the euro.

The GDP (Gross Domestic Product) per capita is much better than most of South America yet many of its population still lives in poverty.

Answer: Galápagos Islands

The Galápagos Islands have a history and a heritage that is unsurpassed for its sheer wonderment. The natural scenic beauty provided by the island group added to the abundance of wildlife and flora unique to its area makes it a spectacular part of the world.

Much has been recorded as to its beauty and diversity. This has not been without cost. The Galápagos Islands have struggled with conflicts between human prosperity and natural existence. Serious conflicts have occurred between those who view the area as an abundant resource and those determined to preserve and protect it.

Answer: Guyana

Guyana is in the north central part of South America and has a border on the Atlantic Ocean. Its location gives it a climate and ecosystem more similar to the Caribbean than to much of South America. Once it was known as British Guiana; Guyana became independent of the United Kingdom in May of 1966. Kaieteur Falls is one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world. To identify it as a single drop falls means it drops vertically from a single point as opposed to cascading over several points or a series of close waterfalls.

Answer: Heart of South America

Paraguay is often billed as the "Heart of South America". Its location is one reason but there is more to the nickname than just geography. Topographically, Paraguay is split between two distinct regions - the Eastern desert and the subtropical West. As early as the beginning of the sixteenth century Paraguay became very important to those traveling in South America.

Its location provided an important junction for the expanse of the continent. Paraguay has two official languages; those are Spanish and Paraguayan Guaraní.

Answer: Peru

By area Peru is the third largest country/territory of South America; Brazil and Argentina are the two larger ones. Its size and location give Peru the diversity of what might be expected of an entire continent within one country - from mountains to beaches, from rainforests to arid plains. Peru has succeeded better than many of the countries in South in promoting, using and protecting its natural resources.

The source of the Amazon River is just about 100 miles from the Pacific Ocean - high in the Andes Mountains near Nevado Mismi in southern Peru.

The Amazon River empties into the Atlantic Ocean (at its mouth), almost 4,000 miles away from its source, on the northeastern coast of Brazil.

Answer: The Netherlands

The Netherlands rule of Suriname began in the 17th century. Suriname gained its independence from The Netherlands but the Dutch influence remains strong and prevalent throughout the country. Dutch is the official language and is spoken by the majority of the people of Suriname.

Into the 21st century Suriname continues to retain a simpatico relationship with The Netherlands. Suriname is the smallest country in South America. Its northern, coastal location gives it a climate and cultural composition of the Caribbean. Suriname is a member of CARICOM.

Answer: Montevideo

Montevideo is the capital of Uruguay, the second smallest country in South America. A census taken in 2011 estimates that approximately one-third of Uruguay's population lived in Montevideo. Uruguay borders Argentina, Brazil and the Atlantic Ocean. Montevideo is in the southern most part of the country on the basin of the Río de la Plata River. Football is the most popular sport in Uruguay. Estadio Centenario was built to host the 1930 FIFA World Cup - the inaugural event for the FIFA World Cup series.

Answer: Angel Falls

Angel Falls is the world's highest uninterrupted waterfall. Its height is just over 3200 feet (or, almost two-thirds of a mile!). It is named for the U.S. aviator, Jimmie Angel, who is believed to have been the first person to fly over the falls. There has been discussion by the Venezuelan government to officially change the name of the falls to "Kerepakupai Vená" which does use the Pemon language.

The Pemon are people indigenous to several areas of South America, among those the mountains surrounding (what is now) Angel Falls.