South America

Argentina is a very large country that occupies the south-eastern part of the South American continent. Historically, it was one of the stronger economies of the continent, but recent problems have led to the country becoming increasingly impoverished and suffering from rising levels of inflation. Argentina shares the region of Patagonia with its neighbour Chile, and its capital Buenos Aires is also a very popular tourist destination.

Brazil is the largest and also the most populous country in South America. Formerly colonised by the Portuguese, its official language is to this day still Portuguese, and due to its sheer size, it is an extremely diverse country in the geographical sense. Its capital Brasilia is located inland, but its cities Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Florianopolis are very much at the centre of the country’s tourism industry.

Chile is an extremely long and thin country that is located on the western side of the South American continent. Its capital, Santiago de Chile, is home to a large proportion of the country’s population and is also its economic and cultural capital. However, Chile is an extremely diverse country and has a lot to offer, ranging from the Atacama Desert in the north, to the region of Patagonia in the south.

Uruguay is a small country that is nestled between Argentina and Brazil. Its capital Montevideo can be easily reached by boat from the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires, and the two countries have a lot in common culturally. Due to its coastal location, Uruguay has a lot of great beaches, including those found in Punta del Este. Uruguay is also known for its national football and rugby teams, which are both very competitive on an international level.