South America is a fascinating continent full of history, culture, and natural wonders. It is home to ancient civilizations, diverse ecosystems, and vibrant modern cities. From the peaks of the Andes to the rainforests of the Amazon, South America offers plenty of mysteries and puzzles to unravel. Test your knowledge of this amazing continent with these 53 riddles about South America.
Geography Riddles
Riddle 1
I’m a long mountain range that runs along the western coast of South America. Many of my peaks are over 20,000 feet high. What am I?
Answer: The Andes Mountains
Riddle 2
I’m the world’s largest tropical rainforest, spanning multiple countries in South America. Animals like jaguars, sloths, and macaws call me home. What am I?
Answer: The Amazon Rainforest
Riddle 3
I’m a large desert in northern Chile. With my dry climate, stargazers flock here to gaze at the clear night skies. What am I?
Answer: The Atacama Desert
Riddle 4
I’m a set of waterfalls on the border between Argentina and Brazil. I’m one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. What am I?
Answer: Iguazu Falls
Riddle 5
I’m a tall, flat-topped mountain that towers over Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. I’m often pictured on postcards of the city. What am I?
Answer: Sugarloaf Mountain
History Riddles
Riddle 6
I was an ancient civilization that built Machu Picchu in Peru. My people were great engineers who constructed terraces for farming on steep hills. Who am I?
Answer: The Incas
Riddle 7
I was a female warrior who helped rule the Inca Empire in the 1500s. I took over as ruler after my husband died. Who am I?
Answer: Mama Ocllo (or Coya Cusirimay)
Riddle 8
I’m an ancient city located in Mexico that was once the center of the Mayan civilization. I’m known for my huge step pyramids. What city am I?
Answer: Chichen Itza
Riddle 9
I’m a Portuguese explorer who discovered Brazil in 1500. I claimed the land for the Portuguese crown. Who am I?
Answer: Pedro Álvares Cabral
Riddle 10
I was an Aztec emperor in the early 1500s who fought against Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes. My capital was Tenochtitlan, now Mexico City. Who am I?
Answer: Montezuma II
Culture Riddles
Riddle 11
I’m a style of music and dance that originated in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Montevideo, Uruguay. I’m often performed by a couple and features upbeat rhythms. What am I?
Answer: Tango
Riddle 12
I’m a percussion instrument consisting of a wooden box with metal jingles stretched across the top. I’m shaken by hand in Latin American folk music. What am I?
Answer: Maracas
Riddle 13
I’m a tall, cone-shaped hat worn by farmers in the Andes region. I protect against the sun and cold temperatures. What traditional hat am I?
Answer: Chullo hat
Riddle 14
I’m a traditional embroidered shawl worn by women in Peru. My designs often depict animals and nature scenes. What am I called?
Answer: Mantón de Manila
Riddle 15
I’m a traditional stew from Ecuador made with potatoes, chicken, peanut sauce, and spicy peppers. I’m a popular comfort food. What dish am I?
Answer: Seco de pollo
Nature Riddles
Riddle 16
I’m a spotted cat native to the rainforests of South America. I’m an excellent climber and the biggest cat in the Americas. What feline am I?
Answer: Jaguar
Riddle 17
I’m a huge snake that can grow over 20 feet long. I’m not venomous but I squeeze my prey to death. Anacondas are members of what family?
Answer: Boa constrictor
Riddle 18
I’m a slow-moving mammal found in South America that hangs upside-down from tree branches. My sharp claws help me grip. What animal am I?
Answer: Sloth
Riddle 19
I’m a loud, colorful parrot native to the Amazon rainforest. My bright feathers are red, blue, green and yellow. What’s my name?
Answer: Macaw
Riddle 20
I’m one of the highest capital cities in the world at 12,000 feet above sea level. I’m located in Bolivia and surrounded by the Andes mountains. What city am I?
Answer: La Paz
People Riddles
Riddle 21
I’m a world-renowned Colombian singer-songwriter. Some of my hit songs include “Hips Don’t Lie” and “Whenever, Wherever.” Who am I?
Answer: Shakira
Riddle 22
I’m an Argentine soccer legend who scored the famous “Hand of God” goal against England in the 1986 World Cup. Who am I?
Answer: Diego Maradona
Riddle 23
I’m a Brazilian supermodel who has been a Victoria’s Secret Angel since 2000. I’m one of the highest-paid models in the world. Who am I?
Answer: Gisele Bündchen
Riddle 24
I’m a Colombian author and Nobel Prize winner famous for novels like Love in the Time of Cholera and One Hundred Years of Solitude. Gabriel is my first name. What’s my last name?
Answer: García Márquez
Riddle 25
I was an Incan girl who was frozen over 500 years ago on a mountaintop in Peru. In the 1990s, my mummified body was discovered. What am I famously called?
Answer: The Ice Maiden or Lady of Ampato
General Knowledge Riddles
Riddle 26
What is the largest country in South America by land area?
Answer: Brazil
Riddle 27
Which South American country is closest to Antarctica?
Answer: Chile
Riddle 28
What is the name of the world’s highest capital city that is located in Bolivia?
Answer: La Paz
Riddle 29
Machu Picchu is an ancient Incan citadel located in which South American country?
Answer: Peru
Riddle 30
Which South American country is home to both the Amazon Rainforest and Rio de Janeiro?
Answer: Brazil
Food Riddles
Riddle 31
I’m a hot chili pepper named for the capital of Bolivia. I add spicy heat to South American stews and sauces. What am I?
Answer: La Paz chili
Riddle 32
Argentina is famous for its high-quality version of what red wine grape originally from France?
Answer: Malbec
Riddle 33
Ceviche is a South American dish of raw fish marinated in citrus juice and spices. What country is it most closely associated with?
Answer: Peru
Riddle 34
Brazil nuts are seeds that grow on trees native to what South American rainforest?
Answer: The Amazon rainforest
Riddle 35
Quinoa is an ancient grain first cultivated by people living in the Andean highlands of which South American countries?
Answer: Peru and Bolivia
Animal Riddles
Riddle 36
I’m a mammal named for my long nose that I use to sniff out food. I can be found wading in South American rivers. What animal am I?
Answer: Tapir
Riddle 37
I’m a small monkey with a lion-like mane that lives in groups in the Amazon rainforest. What am I?
Answer: Golden lion tamarin
Riddle 38
I’m the largest rodent in the world and look like a giant guinea pig. I live in swamps and rivers in South America. What am I?
Answer: Capybara
Riddle 39
I’m a horned frog native to Chile that can inflate my body when threatened. What’s my name?
Answer: Chilean horned frog or Calyptocephalella gayi
Riddle 40
I’m a colorful toucan known for my huge black and yellow bill. I live in the jungles of South America. What am I?
Answer: Toco toucan
Landmark Riddles
Riddle 41
I’m a famous statue of Jesus overlooking Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Which famous landmark am I?
Answer: Christ the Redeemer
Riddle 42
Lake Titicaca lies on the border of Peru and which other South American country?
Answer: Bolivia
Riddle 43
Easter Island is a Chilean territory located in what ocean?
Answer: Pacific Ocean
Riddle 44
The Galápagos Islands belong to which South American country?
Answer: Ecuador
Riddle 45
Angel Falls is the world’s tallest waterfall at 3,212 feet tall. In which South American country is it located?
Answer: Venezuela
Sports Riddles
Riddle 46
What sport do Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi play professionally?
Answer: Soccer/Football
Riddle 47
In tennis, which South American country are professional players Gabriela Sabatini and Guillermo Vilas from?
Answer: Argentina
Riddle 48
Nadia Comaneci, famous for being the first gymnast to score a perfect 10, was born in which South American country?
Answer: Romania
Riddle 49
Which South American nation has won the most FIFA World Cup titles in men’s soccer?
Answer: Brazil (5 titles)
Riddle 50
In 2019, Ecuadorian athlete Richard Carapaz became the first person from his country to win which famous cycling race?
Answer: Tour de France
Geography Riddles
Riddle 51
Which South American capital city’s name translates to “I see a mountain” in the indigenous Aymara language?
Answer: La Paz, Bolivia
Riddle 52
Lake Maracaibo, a large bay connected to the Caribbean Sea, is located in which South American country?
Answer: Venezuela
Riddle 53
The Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth, stretches across parts of which two South American countries?
Answer: Chile and Peru
Conclusion
How did you do with these riddles? South America is full of fascinating trivia to uncover, from historical facts to geographical features to cultural tidbits. Learning more about this diverse continent through fun riddles is a great way to exercise your mind. Next time you visit South America, keep your eyes peeled for more interesting puzzles to solve!
