Brazil's geography

The northernmost point of Brazil is closer to Canada than it is to its own southernmost points.  Also, Brazil's easternmost point is closer to Senegal than it is its own westernmost point.

The Spanish American War

The thing I learned today is that the Spanish-American War lasted less than a year, from April to August of 1898. Independence of Cuba was the question; the explosion of the USS Maine, American corporate imperialism, and yellow journalism ruled the day.

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

The thing I learned today is that The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo granted, via the Mexican Cession, the US the region that is now California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona, as well as part of Wyoming. It came at the end of the Mexican-American war (1846-48). The Treaty provided for property rights of Mexicans in the area, which largely went unhonored.

Patagonia is the name given to the southwestern section of the Andes mountains and their environs, located in Chile and Argentina. The origin of the name is unclear.

Treaty of Cordoba

The Treaty of Córdoba established Mexican independence from Spain at the conclusion of the Mexican War of Independence. It was signed on August 24, 1821 in Córdoba, Veracruz, Mexico.

Every baseball used in MLB games is made by hand in Costa Rica. All baseballs used in major league games are made by the official producer of baseballs, Rawlings.

The three countries of South America that are located entirely within the northern hemisphere are Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela.

MacKenzie River

The MacKenzie River is the longest in Canada. Located within the Northwest Territories, it is 1080 miles long. It originates at the Great Slave Lake and was formerly named Disappointment River because it did not lead to Alaska. What cheery names these Canucks have, eh?

Valparaiso is one of Chile's most important seaports. Literally "Paradise Valley," it houses the National Congress and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Manitoba was the first province of Canada created from the territories, in 1870. It borders North Dakota and Minnesota to the north.

Ipanema is a beach neighborhood in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. It was made famous in the song "The Girl From Ipanema." It is adjacent to Copacabana Beach, which is not the place mentioned in the song 'Copacabana."

Honey bees were brought to the Americas in the 1600s by European colonists. Native Americans supposedly called bees "the white man's fly."

The Guiana Shield is one of three cratons of the South American plate. It underlies Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana, as well as parts of Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil. The highest elevations of the Shield are called the Guiana Highlands, which cover Guyana, Venezuela, and Brazil, and is where the tepuis are found.

"El Bayamesa," also known as "El Himno de Bayano," is the national anthem of Cuba. It was written in 1868 and adopted in 1902.

The Galapagos Islands belong to Ecuador. They are located 525 miles west of the coast of Ecuador. Isabela is the largest island.

El Salvador is the smallest country in North America and the only country in Central America without an eastern coastline (on the Caribbean). It is bordered on the west by the Pacific. It is called "the Tom Thumb of the Americas."

Cuba abolishes slavery

Cuba did not abolish slavery until October 7, 1886.

Canada's oldest national park

Banff National Park, near Calgary, Alberta, is Canada's oldest national park. It was established in 1885. The resort town of Banff, known for its hot springs, is inside the park.

Salta, Argentina, was founded in 1582 by the Spanish conquistador Hernando de Lerma.

The palo de vaca, or cow tree, of South America, produces a nourishing liquid that resembles milk.