Summary
The Americas make up the second-largest continent and stretch from north to south across a whole hemisphere, from the Arctic to near Antarctica. They divide into three parts: North America (Canada, the United States and Mexico), Central America (the isthmus and the Caribbean islands) and South America.
It is a continent of huge contrasts: the Andes run all along the west of South America, and there flows the Amazon, the world's largest river by volume, with its vast rainforest. The main languages are Spanish, English and Portuguese (in Brazil). Among its largest countries are Canada, the United States and Brazil.
Key points
- The Americas divide into North, Central and South America.
- North America: Canada, the United States and Mexico.
- It is the second-largest continent; it goes from the Arctic to the far south.
- The Andes run all along the west of South America.
- The Amazon is the world's largest river by volume.
- The main languages are Spanish, English and Portuguese (Brazil).
- Very large countries: Canada, the United States and Brazil.
Countries and capitals of North and Central America
| Country | Capital | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | Ottawa | North |
| United States | Washington D. C. | North |
| Mexico | Mexico City | North |
| Guatemala | Guatemala City | Central |
| Belize | Belmopán | Central |
| Honduras | Tegucigalpa | Central |
| El Salvador | San Salvador | Central |
| Nicaragua | Managua | Central |
| Costa Rica | San José | Central |
| Panama | Panama City | Central |
Countries and capitals of South America
| Country | Capital |
|---|---|
| Argentina | Buenos Aires |
| Bolivia | Sucre (seat of government: La Paz) |
| Brazil | Brasilia |
| Chile | Santiago |
| Colombia | Bogotá |
| Ecuador | Quito |
| Guyana | Georgetown |
| Paraguay | Asunción |
| Peru | Lima |
| Suriname | Paramaribo |
| Uruguay | Montevideo |
| Venezuela | Caracas |
- French Guiana is not a country: it is a French territory in South America.
The continent’s records
- Aconcagua (Argentina, 6,961 m) is the highest mountain in the Americas.
- The Amazon is the world’s largest river by volume and crosses the biggest tropical rainforest.
- The Atacama Desert (Chile) is one of the driest places on the planet.
- Lake Titicaca, between Peru and Bolivia, is the highest navigable lake in the world.
- Canada is the largest country in the Americas, and the United States the most populous.
Frequently asked questions
How many countries are there in South America?
Twelve: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Which countries make up Central America?
On the isthmus, seven: Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. Many textbooks also include the Caribbean islands, such as Cuba, the Dominican Republic or Jamaica.
What languages are spoken in the Americas?
Mainly Spanish, English and Portuguese (in Brazil), plus French (in Canada and Haiti) and many indigenous languages, such as Quechua, Guarani or Nahuatl.