Riddles can be a fun and challenging way to learn more about geography, history, culture, and more. Here are 43 riddles about the Americas along with their answers to test your knowledge about this part of the world.
North America Riddles
USA Riddles
What has 50 stars on a field of blue? The flag of the United States of America.
What do the letters of the famous American intelligence agency CIA stand for? Central Intelligence Agency.
Which U.S. national park is home to Half Dome and El Capitan? Yosemite National Park.
Which American president appears on the penny? Abraham Lincoln.
What is the tallest mountain in North America? Denali in Alaska.
Which U.S. state is known as the Granite State? New Hampshire.
Which city is home to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge? San Francisco.
Which state’s motto is “Live Free or Die”? New Hampshire.
Which Great Lake borders the U.S. states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York? Lake Erie.
Which founder of the U.S. has his face on the $100 bill? Benjamin Franklin.
Canada Riddles
What is the second largest country in the world by total area? Canada.
Which Canadian province is known as the “Land of Living Skies”? Saskatchewan.
What is Canada’s national winter sport? Ice hockey.
Which iconic tower is found in Toronto? CN Tower.
What is the name of the national police force in Canada? Royal Canadian Mounted Police or RCMP.
Which province has the capital city of Edmonton? Alberta.
Which iconic Canadian landmark can be found in Banff National Park? Lake Louise.
What is the only official bilingual province in Canada? New Brunswick.
Which province is known as “Canada’s Ocean Playground”? Nova Scotia.
Which city is known as the “Capital of Silicon Valley North”? Ottawa.
Mexico Riddles
Which ancient civilization built the pyramids of the Sun and Moon? The Aztecs.
What is the name of the large rainforest in southeastern Mexico? The Lacandon Jungle.
Which Mexican state has Mexico City as its capital? Mexico State.
Which peninsula is located in the southeastern part of Mexico? Yucatán Peninsula.
What is the name of the small island in eastern Mexico that is known for its crystal clear waters? Cozumel.
Which Mexican state borders Texas in the United States? Tamaulipas.
Which famous Mayan ruins can be found on the Yucatán Peninsula? Chichen Itza.
What type of hat commonly worn by men in Mexico is made from straw? Sombrero.
Which Mexican state is home to the popular resort city of Cancún? Quintana Roo.
What is a common filling in authentic Mexican tamales? Masa or cornmeal dough.
Central America Riddles
Which Central American country shares its name with a type of dance? Costa Rica.
What is the name of the famous canal in Panama that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans? The Panama Canal.
Which country has a Caribbean Sea coastline as well as a Pacific Ocean coastline? Panama.
What are the three official languages of Belize? English, Spanish, and Belizean Creole.
Which Central American capital city name translates to “The Savior of the World”? San Salvador, capital of El Salvador.
What is the name of the famous Maya site in Guatemala with its step pyramid El Castillo? Chichen Itza.
Which Central American capital city is built among active volcanoes? Guatemala City.
Which country has the capital Managua and borders Honduras to the north? Nicaragua.
Which Central American country has coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea? Honduras.
What is the most populous country in Central America? Guatemala.
Caribbean Riddles
Which Caribbean island is home to Havana? Cuba.
What is the most populous island country in the Caribbean? Cuba.
Which island country is home to Montego Bay and Dunn’s River Falls? Jamaica.
What island group lies between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean? The Bahamas.
Which Caribbean island has the capital Kingston and is known for Blue Mountain coffee? Jamaica.
What Caribbean island is divided between French Saint-Martin and Dutch Sint Maarten? Saint Martin Island.
Which two Caribbean islands make up the nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis? Saint Kitts and Nevis Islands.
What type of birds are found on the islands of Antigua and Barbuda? Frigatebirds.
Which island country has capital Roseau and lush rainforests? Dominica.
What is the most active volcano in the Caribbean located on the island of Montserrat? Soufrière Hills.
South America Riddles
Colombia Riddles
Which South American country has coastlines on both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea? Colombia.
What is the highest coastal mountain range in Colombia? The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
Which Colombian port city is located on the Caribbean Sea? Cartagena.
Which indigenous people lived in Colombia before the Spanish arrived? The Muisca.
What is the name of the wax palm, Colombia’s national tree? Ceroxylon quindiuense.
Ecuador Riddles
Which South American country is named after the equator that runs through it? Ecuador.
What is the highest active volcano in Ecuador? Cotopaxi.
Which famous Galápagos Islands belong to Ecuador? Floreana, Española, Santa Cruz, Isabela, etc.
What is the capital and second largest city in Ecuador? Guayaquil.
Which language do most indigenous people in Ecuador speak? Kichwa.
Peru Riddles
Where would you find the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu? Peru.
What is the name of the famous Nazca Lines found in the desert of southern Peru? Nazca Lines.
Which South American country is home to Lake Titicaca? Peru.
What is the capital and largest city of Peru? Lima.
Which lasted longer – the Inca Empire or the Spanish colonization of Peru? Spanish colonization.
Brazil Riddles
Which South American country is the largest in both size and population? Brazil.
In which Brazilian city would you find Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking the city? Rio de Janeiro.
What is the name of the distinct clearing in the Amazon rainforest where Manaus is located? Manaus Green Space.
Which famous Brazilian landmark and statue overlooks Guanabara Bay? Christ the Redeemer.
Which massive waterfall is found on the border between Brazil and Argentina? Iguazu Falls.
Argentina Riddles
Which South American country hosted the 1978 FIFA World Cup? Argentina.
What are the vast plains that cover much of central Argentina called? The Pampas.
Which famous first lady and presidential wife was from Argentina? Eva Perón.
Which major port city in Argentina is the birthplace of the tango? Buenos Aires.
What is the name of the famous dance and music that originated in Argentina and Uruguay? Tango.
Chile Riddles
Which South American country’s shape is long and narrow? Chile.
What is the driest desert in the world found mainly in Chile? Atacama Desert.
Which Chilean poet and Nobel laureate wrote “Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair”? Pablo Neruda.
What is the name of the indigenous group who lived in central and southern Chile before Spanish colonization? Mapuche.
Which major port city is located in central Chile? Valparaíso.
Conclusion
How did you do with these riddles about the Americas? Riddles can be a great way to expand your knowledge about geography, culture, history and more in a fun and engaging format. Learning more about the countries in North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean through these types of games is an excellent way to boost recall and retention.
Next time you are looking for a way to liven up a lesson or presentation about the Americas, give some riddles a try. You can find more examples online or come up with your own creative riddles to challenge your friends, family, students or colleagues. The right riddles will stick in your mind long after a lecture or textbook reading. With this list of 43 riddles and their answers, you are well on your way to becoming an Americas riddles master!
