Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

OR
Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google
Quizzes > Geography > Countries & Cities

Think You Know South American Capitals? Take the Quiz!

Curious what is South America's capital? Dive in and discover which country has two capitals!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for South America capitals quiz on teal background featuring map cutouts and quiz elements

Calling all geography buffs and curious explorers! Dive into our south america and capitals quiz - the ultimate challenge to test your mastery of the capital of South American countries. From recalling what is South America's capital to uncovering what South American country has two capital cities, you'll memorize key facts, discover why certain nations have unique administrative seats, and boost your confidence before your next trivia night. This engaging adventure sharpens your map skills and stretches your memory. Ready to prove your expertise? Start with this quiz about South America , then level up with a deep dive into south american countries and capitals. Friendly, motivating, and free, it's your ticket to continental mastery. Take the quiz now and let the adventure begin!

What is the capital of Argentina?
Buenos Aires
Mendoza
Rosario
Córdoba
Buenos Aires is Argentina's capital and largest city, located on the western shore of the Río de la Plata. It functions as the country's political, cultural, and economic center. The city was officially established in 1580 and has since become one of South America's most vibrant metropolises. source
What is the capital of Brazil?
Brasília
São Paulo
Rio de Janeiro
Salvador
Brasília was inaugurated as Brazil's capital in 1960 to promote inland development and reduce coastal concentration. The city is known for its modernist architecture designed by Oscar Niemeyer and Lúcio Costa. It replaced Rio de Janeiro as the capital and is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its unique urban planning. source
What is the capital of Chile?
Valparaíso
Santiago
Concepción
Antofagasta
Santiago, formally Santiago de Chile, is Chile's capital and largest city, located in the central valley. It was founded in 1541 by the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia. The city is Chile's cultural, political, and economic hub, surrounded by the Andes and Chilean Coast Range. source
What is the capital of Colombia?
Bogotá
Cartagena
Medellín
Cali
Bogotá, officially Bogotá, Distrito Capital, is the capital and largest city of Colombia. Founded in 1538 as Santa Fe de Bogotá by Spanish conquistador Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada, it sits on a high plateau in the Andes. It serves as the country's political, economic, and cultural center. source
What is the capital of Peru?
Cusco
Lima
Trujillo
Arequipa
Lima, formally Ciudad de los Reyes, is the capital and largest city of Peru. Founded by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535, it overlooks the Pacific Ocean. The city is the nation's political, cultural, and economic heart. source
What is the capital of Venezuela?
Maracaibo
Caracas
Valencia
Barquisimeto
Caracas, officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela. It was founded in 1567 and is situated in a valley of the Venezuelan coastal mountain range. The city is Venezuela's primary political, economic, and cultural center. source
What is the capital of Ecuador?
Cuenca
Ambato
Quito
Guayaquil
Quito, officially San Francisco de Quito, is the capital of Ecuador and the second-highest official capital city in the world, sitting at 2,850 m above sea level. Founded in 1534, its well-preserved historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Quito is Ecuador's political, cultural, and educational hub. source
What is the capital of Uruguay?
Montevideo
Punta del Este
Maldonado
Salto
Montevideo is the capital and largest city of Uruguay, founded in 1724 by the Spanish Crown. It lies on the southern coast, on the northeastern bank of the Río de la Plata. The city is Uruguay's chief port, cultural center, and seat of government. source
Which city is the constitutional capital of Bolivia?
Cochabamba
Santa Cruz
La Paz
Sucre
Sucre is Bolivia's constitutional capital, as designated in the nation's constitution and the seat of the Supreme Court. Government administration is largely carried out in La Paz, which is the seat of government where the executive and legislative branches convene. Sucre was the original capital of the Spanish colonial Real Audiencia. source
Which country in South America has two capitals?
Colombia
Ecuador
Peru
Bolivia
Bolivia is unique among South American countries for having two capitals: Sucre as the constitutional capital and La Paz as the administrative capital where the executive and legislative branches meet. This arrangement dates back to a historical compromise during Bolivia's republican era. source
What is the capital of Paraguay?
Ciudad del Este
Encarnación
Luque
Asunción
Asunción, formally Nuestra Señora Santa María de la Asunción, is the capital and largest city of Paraguay. Founded in 1537, it is one of the oldest Spanish-founded cities in South America. The city sits on the eastern bank of the Paraguay River and serves as the country's economic and cultural center. source
What is the capital of Guyana?
Paramaribo
Georgetown
Port of Spain
Cayenne
Georgetown is the capital and largest city of Guyana, situated on the Atlantic coast at the mouth of the Demerara River. It was founded by the Dutch in the 18th century and named after King George III. Georgetown is the nation's economic, political, and administrative heart. source
What is the capital of Suriname?
Paramaribo
Cayenne
Oranjestad
Georgetown
Paramaribo is the capital and largest city of Suriname, located on the banks of the Suriname River near the Atlantic Ocean. Founded in the 17th century by colonists, its historic inner city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is the administrative and economic center of the country. source
What is the capital of French Guiana?
Cayenne
Saint-Jean-du-Maroni
Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni
Kourou
Cayenne is the capital of the overseas department of French Guiana, an overseas region of France on the northern coast of South America. It was established by the French in the 17th century and serves as the region's administrative and cultural center. As it is part of France, Cayenne uses the euro and functions similarly to cities metropolitan France. source
Which South American capital city has the highest altitude?
Bogotá
Quito
La Paz
Sucre
La Paz, at approximately 3,650 meters above sea level, is the highest administrative capital in the world. It is nestled in a canyon of the Altiplano near the Andes Mountains. Although Sucre is the constitutional capital of Bolivia, most government operations occur in La Paz due to its role as the seat of government. source
Which South American capital is the easternmost on the continent?
Cayenne
Paramaribo
Georgetown
Brasília
Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname, is located at about 55.2°W longitude and is the easternmost national capital in mainland South America. It lies further east than neighbouring Georgetown (Guyana) and Cayenne (French Guiana). The capital sits on the Suriname River near its mouth at the Atlantic Ocean. source
Which South American capital has the highest average annual rainfall?
Buenos Aires
Santiago
Georgetown
Quito
Georgetown, Guyana's capital, receives over 2,400 millimeters (94 inches) of precipitation annually on average, making it the wettest national capital in South America. Its equatorial climate brings frequent rainfall throughout the year. Other capitals like Quito and Santiago have much drier climates by comparison. source
Which is the least populous capital city in South America?
Sucre
Cayenne
Georgetown
Paramaribo
Cayenne, the capital of French Guiana, has an estimated population of around 60,000, making it the least populous capital on the South American mainland. In contrast, other capitals such as Paramaribo and Georgetown have populations exceeding 200,000. Cayenne's small population reflects its status as part of an overseas department with less urban development. source
Which South American capital was founded first?
Bogotá
Asunción
Lima
Santiago
Lima was founded by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro on January 18, 1535, making it the earliest Spanish colonial capital in South America. Asunción was founded in 1537, Bogotá in 1538, and Santiago in 1541. Lima became the seat of the Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru, cementing its status as the region's primary colonial powerhouse. source
Which South American capital lies closest to the Equator?
Cayenne
Quito
Bogotá
Paramaribo
Quito lies just 25 kilometers south of the Equator at about 0.18°S latitude, making it the closest national capital to the Equator in South America. This proximity gives it a distinct equatorial climate, with relatively constant temperatures year-round. While Cayenne and Paramaribo are near the Equator, they lie further north at approximately 4 - 6°N. source
Which South American capital lies furthest south?
Buenos Aires
Santiago
Montevideo
Asunción
Montevideo is located at approximately 34.9°S latitude, making it the southernmost national capital on the South American mainland. While Buenos Aires is also far south at around 34.6°S, Montevideo lies slightly further toward the southern tip of the continent. Other capitals, like Santiago and Asunción, are situated further north. source
What is the capital of the Falkland Islands?
Stanley
Ushuaia
Georgetown
Punta Arenas
Stanley, also known as Port Stanley, is the capital of the Falkland Islands. It is located on East Falkland Island and serves as the main settlement and port. Despite being a small territory, it is the political and administrative center of the islands. source
Which two cities serve as the constitutional and administrative capitals of Bolivia, respectively?
La Paz & Sucre
Sucre & Santa Cruz
La Paz & Cochabamba
Sucre & La Paz
Bolivia's constitution designates Sucre as the constitutional capital where the Supreme Court sits, while La Paz is the seat of the executive and legislative branches. This dual-capital arrangement stems from historical compromises following the country's independence. Sucre retains symbolic status, and La Paz handles daily governance. source
In what year did Brazil officially move its capital to Brasília?
1940
1950
1970
1960
On April 21, 1960, the Brazilian government inaugurated Brasília as its new capital, shifting administrative functions from Rio de Janeiro to the newly built city in the country's interior to encourage development. This move was part of President Juscelino Kubitschek's plan to integrate the national territory. Brasília's design and urban plan are celebrated as modernist landmarks. source
Which South American capital has the largest land area within its official city limits?
Buenos Aires
Santiago
Brasília
Montevideo
Brasília covers approximately 5,802 square kilometers, making it the capital with the largest land area in South America. It was planned to occupy a large expanse to accommodate future growth and urban planning requirements. Other capitals, like Buenos Aires, have extensive metropolitan areas but smaller official city limits. source
0
{"name":"What is the capital of Argentina?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"What is the capital of Argentina?, What is the capital of Brazil?, What is the capital of Chile?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Identify the Capital Cities -

    Identify the capital cities of each South American country, reinforcing your geographic recall across the continent.

  2. Distinguish Dual Capitals -

    Distinguish the South American country with two capital cities, detailing the distinct political functions of Sucre and La Paz.

  3. Clarify Capital Misconceptions -

    Clarify why the question "what is South America's capital" lacks a single correct answer and learn to avoid common geographic misconceptions.

  4. Recall Major Capitals -

    Recall the capital of South America's most populous nation - Brasília - solidifying your recognition of key urban centers.

  5. Analyze Geopolitical Clusters -

    Analyze regional patterns among the capital of south american countries to understand their geopolitical clustering and relationships.

  6. Apply Quiz Strategies -

    Apply quiz-taking strategies to improve your performance on the south america and capitals quiz and confidently share your results with peers.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Distinguishing Continent vs. Country Capitals -

    When faced with "what is South America's capital" in a south america and capitals quiz, remember continents don't have capitals - only your countries do. According to National Geographic and the United Nations Statistical Division, the term "capital" applies to political seats of sovereign states, not geographical regions. Framing your answers this way prevents trick-question traps and boosts accuracy.

  2. Group and Memorize Capitals by Language Zone -

    Break down the 12 countries into Spanish, Portuguese, English, and Dutch regions to streamline recall: seven Spanish-speaking capitals, one Portuguese, one English, and one Dutch. For the Spanish cluster (Santiago, Bogotá, Lima, Quito, Caracas, Asunción, Montevideo), try the mnemonic "Silly Butterflies Like Quiet Cool Autumn Mornings." Tack on Brasília for Portuguese, Georgetown for English, and Paramaribo for Dutch to complete the map.

  3. Know the Bolivian Capitals Pair -

    In your south america and capitals quiz, the question "what south american country has two capital cities" always refers to Bolivia. Legally, Sucre is the constitutional capital per Bolivia's 2009 constitution, while La Paz hosts the executive and legislative branches. A handy tip: think "Sucre = Supreme Court" to connect judiciary with Sucre, and "La Paz = Legislative & Executive Processes."

  4. Recall Elevation and Population Extremes -

    South American capitals vary dramatically in altitude and size, key facts in many quizzes. La Paz (3,650 m) is the world's highest national capital (CIA World Factbook), while Georgetown sits at sea level. For population trivia, note Buenos Aires tops the list with over 15 million metro residents, so match extremes to city names confidently.

  5. Understand Planned Capitals and Relocations -

    Several capitals were purpose-built to promote development, a trend worth noting on capital of south american countries topics. For instance, Brasília replaced Rio de Janeiro in 1960 and was plotted on a wave-shaped master plan by Lucio Costa and Oscar Niemeyer (UNESCO). Remember "Brazil's New Capital = Brasilia's Bold Blueprint" to link relocation motives with mid-century modern design.

Make a Quiz (FREE) Copy & Edit This Quiz Create a Quiz with AI

Countries & Cities Quizzes

Powered by: Quiz Maker