Spanish Speaking Countries
Do you know where Spanish is
spoken?
 The Caribbean
 Central America
 Europe
 North America
 South America
 Africa
The Caribbean – Las Antillas
Cuba
Capital
La Habana
Facts
#1 producer of sugar
Guantanamo Naval Base belong to US
Known worldwide for its cigars
La República Dominicana
Capital
Santo Domingo
Facts
Santo Domingo is the oldest American
city, established in 1496
shares the island with Haiti
Puerto Rico
Capital
San Juan
Facts
Commonwealth of the US as of 1898
American citizens as of 1917
Ponce de León first governor
Central America
Guatemala
Capital
La Ciudad de Guatemala
Facts
Most populated country of CA
Was the seat of the Mayas, one of the
most advanced ancient civilizations
Honduras
Capital
Tegucigalpa
Facts
Most mountainous of CA countries
US buys 90% of their exported products
El Salvador
Capital
San Salvador
Facts
Smallest country in CA
Only CA country with no Atlantic coast
Nicaragua
Capital
Managua
Facts
Largest CA country
Largest cattle producing country in CA
Costa Rica
Capital
San José
Facts
Only CA country without an army
Home to the worlds 3rd most active
volcano “Arenal”
Panamá
Capital
La Ciudad de Panamá
Facts
US built Panama Canal
Panama Canal only way for ship or boat to
cross from Atlantic to Pacific without
going to tip of South America
Europe
España
Capital
Madrid
Facts
Columbus received monetary support
from Queen Isabel which resulted in the
discovery of the New World
Ruled by Dictator Francisco Franco
1939-1971
Ruled by King Juan Carlos I 1975-present
North America
México
Capital
La Ciudad de México
Facts
Chichén-Itzá ruins of Mayas and Toltecas
La Ciudad de México founded on ruins of
Tenochtitlán, ancient capital of Aztecs
South America
Venezuela
 Capital- Caracas
 Facts- Known for petroleum industry (CNN
global gas prices USD- $.12 a gallon)
 Hugo Chávez elected as president in 1999. In
2009 constitution changed to eliminate term
limits for elected officials.
Colombia
Capital- Bogatá
Facts- Produces 12% of world’s coffee
Has endured 4 decades of government vs. antigovernment conflicts. (decline since 2002)
No real “season” due to being near equator.
Climate has more to due with geography.
Ecuador
Capital- Quito
Facts: Original site of the Incan empire
Located on the equator
Many people still speak Quechua
Economy depends on oil exportation
Perú
Capital- Lima
Facts:
Cuzco was the capital of the Incas
 Machu Picchu is the “Lost Incan City” not discovered
until 1911 by an American explorer/historian
Bolivia
Capital- La Paz (modern)/Sucre (original)
Facts- La Paz is the highest world capital
 Bolivia is landlocked- has no coast
 Lake Titicaca is shared on the west with Perú.
Chile
Capital- Santiago
Facts: Has 2,700 miles of coastline and is only
110 miles at its widest.
 Opposite seasons make Chile an important fruit
exporter to NA in the winter.
 Home to the driest desert in the world-Atacama
Argentina
Capital- Buenos Aires
 Facts: Largest Spanish Country in SA.
 Home to the highest SA peak Mt. Aconcagua
 Igauzu Falls are larger than Niagra Falls
 Tango originated among the lower class
 Patagonia is home to glaciers
Uruguay
Capital-Montevideo
 Facts: Population is about 3,500,000 and about
half the people live in the capital.
 Until 1825 was controlled by Brazil
 Comprised of mostly European descendents
Paraguay
Capital- Asuncion
Facts: Landlocked- no coast line
 Spanish and Guarani are the official languages.
 Also home to the Iguazu Falls
Africa
Equatorial Guinea
Capital- Malabo
Facts:
 Large oil industry, but general population does
not benefit.
 Only African country with Spanish as it’s official
language.
Citations
Wilson’s “Free Gifs&Animations.” Animated World
Flags [Online] Available http://www.fga.com/flags.htm
Levy, Stephen L. and Nassi, Robert J. Spanish Three
Years Workbook. (New York, New York: Amsco
School Publications, Inc 1988), pp. 407-451.
Carroll, Don. “Tijuana Taxi.” Don Carroll’s Midi-RiffBulge Page. [Online] Available http://www.davegipson.com/carroll//carroll.htm