Sightseeing in South America Quiz | South America

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Looking a bit like North America's Niagara Falls, what is the name of this waterfall near the Brazil and Argentina border?

Answer: Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls are the main part of the Iguazu National Park in Argentina. Its Brazilian counterpart, Icuagu National Park is across the river from it. Both were named as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1984. The waterfalls in their subtropical environment are well worth seeing. The other three choices are waterfalls in Peru.

2. The largest desert in the Americas is found in Argentina. Which desert is it?

Answer: Patagonian Desert

The Patagonian Desert, besides being the largest desert in the Americas, is the seventh largest in the world. It covers 260,000 sq. mi./673,000 sq. km. It is cold in the winter but because of dry conditions and the Andes Mountains to the west, snow is uncommon. Cave paintings indicate that people have lived there for a long time.

3. The largest carnival in the world takes place in which South American city?

Answer: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio's carnival has been held since 1823. It takes place just before the Christian season of Lent begins. Two million people per day take part in the events. The carnivals encourage revelry before Lent's forty days of fasting, penance and reflection.

4. Listed by the British Broadcasting Corporation as one of the world's best cemeteries, what is the name of the cemetery in Buenos Aires that is over 280 years old?

Answer: Cementerio de la Recoleta

Founded by the monks of the Order of the Recoletos, Cementerio de la Recoleta has been in use since 1732. Sitting on only 14 acres/5.5 hectares, there are over 4,500 vaults in the cemetery, all above ground; there are still occasional interments there. Among those buried there are Eva Peron, several Argentinian presidents, artists and entertainers.

5. There are three navigable passages through the archipelago island chain of Tierra del Fuego at the southern tip of South America. Which one am I thinking of?

Answer: Beagle Channel

Named after the ship Charles Darwin sailed on, the HMS Beagle, the channel is a narrow passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans along the Argentina-Chile border. There are a number of sightseeing tours available to sail among the high mountains and islands; the scenery is said to be starkly beautiful.

6. When the Spaniards explored South America, they looted it of much of its gold, but they didn't get it all. Where in Colombia is there a gold museum?

Answer: Bogota

The Gold Museum in Bogota has the world's largest collection of pre-Hispanic gold work. The museum has 55,000 pieces, 6,000 of which are on display at any one time. Gold was considered a sacred metal by the indigenous cultures of South America and much of the work is highly detailed.

7. One of the largest protected areas in the world is a national park in Bolivia. Do you know which one?

Answer: Madidi

Established relatively recently (1995), Madidi National Park is in the upper Amazon river basin in Bolivia. It encompasses almost 19,000 sq. km./7,319 sq. mi. Because of the wild variations in terrain, the climate ranges from Andes mountain glaciers to tropical rainforests.

8. In Buenos Aires, Argentina you will find a popular type of market. From looking at the picture, which do you think it might be?

Answer: flea market

The Mercado de las Pulgas is a flea market in downtown Buenos Aires in which you can find anything from fine antiques to old Atari games. Prices are said to be fair but be prepared to bargain if you see something you must have.

9. Would you like to get off the beaten tourist path? Really off? There is a hamlet on the coast of Uruguay where you can do just that. What is its name?

Answer: Cabo Polonio

With a population of under 100, don't expect luxurious living in Cabo Polonio, Uruguay. There is some electricity for the local inns and grocery store, much of it from wind power and a nearby lighthouse has real electric service. You can get there by four-wheel drive vehicle or walk the 7 km. from the main highway. Houses are constructed of whatever materials are available. There is a nearby sea lion reserve and some of the local sand dunes actually change their positions! That's pretty much it.

Isla del Sol is in Bolivia, Pucon is in Chile and Otavalo is in Ecuador.

10. Looking like a pair of shark teeth, although their real name is "Dois Irmaos", the mountains might give you a clue to the name of this beach known worldwide. Which beach is it?

Answer: Ipanema

Ipanema beach started as private land owned by Jose Filho, the Baron of Ipanema. It is located next to Copacabana Beach but has its own character. It is recognizable from the "Two Brothers" hills seen in the background of the picture. It gained international fame when the bossa nova song "The Girl from Ipanema" won a Grammy for Record of the Year in 1965.

Source: Author CmdrK

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Tizzabelle before going online.
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Sightseeing in South America Trivia Quiz

There are many sights worth seeing on the South American continent. See if you can identify these ten.

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