logo
  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class

855-997-4652LoginTry a Free Class

  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class
logo
  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class

855-997-4652LoginTry a Free Class

  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class
October 31, 2021 by Alejandra Castellanos Spanish Grammar 0 comments

Definite Articles of Countries and Specific Places in Spanish

If your goal as a Spanish learner is to sound like a native, knowing the names of countries in Spanish is super important!

Read this article to learn the names of Spanish places and their definite articles.

The Importance of Definite Articles in Spanish

As you’ve probably learned, definite articles in Spanish are the English equivalent of “the.” 

However, in Spanish, definite articles differ when you refer to feminine versus masculine subjects. It’s important to learn how to differentiate between them in order to use the correct definite article.

It’s also key that you understand whether you are using a singular or plural noun, so that you use the appropriate definite article. For example:

La ciudad es hermosa.
The city is beautiful.

Spanish example

The sentence above has a singular feminine noun (ciudad), so it uses a singular feminine definite article: la. 

Los niños están jugando afuera.
The boys are playing outside.

The sentence above uses a plural masculine noun (niños), so it needs a plural masculine definite article: los.  

Looking to dive deeper? Check out: Guide to Definite and Indefinite Articles in Spanish

Names of Countries and Places in Spanish

I’ve prepared this awesome list of countries, places, and geographical spots that need a definite article in Spanish to express yourself correctly. Are you ready? 

America – América

EnglishSpanish
Argentinala Argentina, Argentina
Brazilel Brasil, Brasil
Canadael Canadá, Canada
Ecuadorel Ecuador, Ecuador
Floridala Florida, Florida
Peruel Perú
United Stateslos Estados Unidos

The Caribbean – El Caribe

EnglishSpanish
Cayman Islandslas Islas Caimán
Dominican Republicla República Dominicana
Havanala Habana
Turks and Caicos Islandslas Islas Turcas y Caicos
United States Virgin Islandslas Islas Vírgenes de los Estados Unidos

Europe – Europa

  • The Hague – La Haya
  • the Netherlands – los Países Bajos
  • the United Kingdom – el Reino Unido

Africa – África

  • Cairo – el Cairo
  • Cameroon – el Camerún

Asia – Asia

EnglishSpanish
Chinala China
Indiala India
Irakel Irak
Iranel Irán
Japanel Japón, Japón
Lebanonel Líbano
Meccala Mecca
Nepalel Nepal, Nepal
Saudi Arabiala Arabia Saudita
The Philippineslas Filipinas
Tibetel Tíbet

Islands

EnglishSpanish
Dalmatian Islandslas Islas Dálmatas
Galapagos Islandslas Islas Galápagos
Greater Antilleslas Antillas Menores
Lesser Antilleslas Antillas Menores
MaldivesLas Maldivas
SeychellesLas Seychelles
The BahamasLas Bahamas
The Cook Islandslas Islas Cook

PRO TIP: For islands whose names are plural, you always need to use the definite article las. In cases where Las is written with a capital letter, it means that this word belongs to the proper name of the island. 

Describing Countries

When talking about a country or place, you usually add adjectives or other types of descriptions. In this case, you need to add a definite article to the name of the country, even if it doesn’t need one when referring to it in general terms.

Use this grammar formula to make it simpler:

Subject and Verb + a + definite article + country + adjective (or adjective + country)

Generally, you combine the preposition a with the definite article el to create the word al. For example:

Voy al México bello. 
I am going to the beautiful Mexico. 

The rule above doesn’t apply when using the definite article la. 

Example Sentences in Spanish

¿Has ido al hermoso Palacio de Versalles?
Have you gone to the beautiful Palace of Versailles?

Quiero ir al famoso Cairo. 
I want to go to world-famous Cairo.

Ella irá al impresionante Chichén Itzá.
She will go to the amazing Chichen Itzá. 

names of countries in Spanish

Using Definite Articles with Proper Names

Many countries have definite articles as part of their proper name. In these cases, you must use the correct name of the country with a capital letter. Moreover, you do not combine the preposition a with el. 

Example Sentences

Nunca he ido a El Salvador.
I have never been to El Salvador.

Me muero por ir a Las Bahamas.
I’m dying to go to The Bahamas.

Regions and Other Places in Spanish

Other important terms complement the names of countries in Spanish. Check out these rules on the use of definite articles and capitalization. 

1. Cardinal Points (Los puntos cardinales)

In Spanish, we capitalize the cardinal points and add the definite article that precedes them. 

Example Sentences in Spanish

Nuevo León está en el Norte de México
Nuevo León is in the north of Mexico

Amazonas está en el Sur de Colombia
Amazonas is in the south of Colombia

2. Poles and Hemispheres (Los polos y los hemisferios)

We capitalize the names of the poles and add the definite article.

Example Sentences in Spanish

Ahora, es invierno en el Hemisferio Norte.
Right now, it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

Argentina está cerca del Polo Sur.
Argentina is close to the South Pole.

Spanish example

PRO TIP: In the last sentence, we apply the rule of combining prepositions with definite articles. In this case, we combine de + el to turn it into del. 

3. Mountains (Las montañas)

We use definite articles to refer to mountains or similar natural elevations. Always take note of those whose definite article belongs to the proper name. 

  • Mount Everest – el Everest 
  • Mount Kilimanjaro – el Monte Kilimanjaro 

Example Sentences in Spanish

Me gustaría conocer Los Alpes.
I would like to see The Alps.

Los Andes son impresionantes.
The Andes are impressive. 

4. Oceans and Seas (Los océanos y los mares)

We add definite articles to the names of oceans and seas and capitalize their proper names.

Example Sentences in Spanish

El océano Pacífico es el más grande y profundo de las divisiones del océano.
The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of the ocean’s divisions. 

El mar Mediterráneo está casi completamente rodeado de tierra.
The Mediterranean Sea is almost completely surrounded by land.

5. Lakes and Rivers (Los lagos y los ríos)

We add definite articles to the names of lakes and rivers and capitalize their proper names.

  • Nile River – el río Nilo 
  • Lake Victoria – el lago Victoria

¿Has visto el lago de Amatitlán?
Have you seen Lake Amatitlan?

El río Amazonas es el más grande del mundo.
The Amazon River is the largest in the world. 

names of countries in Spanish

6. US States (Los estados)

We add the definite article to all US states when referring to them as “the state of _______.” When you refer to them only by their name, you don’t add a definite article. 

Example Sentences in Spanish

Voy al estado de Nueva York.
I’m going to New York state.

Quisiera visitar el estado de Texas. 
I would like to visit the state of Texas.

7. Cities (Las ciudades)

When talking about cities, you need to include the feminine article la. 

  • Vatican City – la Ciudad del Vaticano
  • Kuwait City – la Ciudad de Kuwait

See also: Types of Spanish Words You Shouldn’t Capitalize

names of countries in Spanish

When to Exclude the Definite Article

Aside from many major cities, here are two other cases when you don’t have to use a definite article. 

1. Continents (Los continentes)

In Spanish, we do not add the definite article to continents. 

EnglishSpanish
AmericaAmérica
AfricaÁfrica
AsiaAsia
EuropeEuropa
OceaniaOceanía

PRO TIP: When referring to the Caribbean in Spanish, do add the definite article: El Caribe. 

2. Some Islands (Algunas islas)

Unlike the islands we covered above, we don’t add a definite article to those with singular names. Here are some of them:

  • Bora Bora
  • Santorini
  • Bali
  • Fiji

Definite Article Quiz

Quiz CTA

Are you ready to test your knowledge? Take this short quiz and find out if you’ve mastered the use of the definite article for names of countries in Spanish!

1. Choose the correct use of definite articles

Correct! Wrong!

2. Choose the incorrect use of definite articles

Correct! Wrong!

3. Choose the word you would add a definite article to:

Correct! Wrong!

4. Choose the word you would not add a definite article to:

Correct! Wrong!

5. Choose the correct sentence:

Correct! Wrong!

6. Choose the incorrect sentence:

Correct! Wrong!

7. Fill in the blank: El próximo año visitaré ________ África

Correct! Wrong!

8. Fill in the blank: Vamos de viaje _______ ciudad de Roma.

Correct! Wrong!

9. Choose the correct use of definite articles:

Correct! Wrong!

10. Choose the incorrect use of definite articles:

Correct! Wrong!

Definite Article Quiz
Wow, you've mastered definite articles in Spanish! Good job!

Congrats you're a pro

You've got a solid understanding of how to use of definite articles and the quality of your Spanish conversations are exploding through the roof!
You've almost mastered definite articles in Spanish. Your consistent practice is leading to better results!

you're getting better

As you keep up your hard work and practice, you're starting to understand better how to use definite articles. For more study materials, keep up-to-date with our newest published blog posts at Homeschool Spanish Academy. *YOU'RE ALMOST THERE! You can do it!* Do you prefer learning with videos? Check out our YouTube channel Spanish Academy TV for the best Spanish learning content on the web!
Practice makes perfect! Keep on studying!

Keep on Studying

Your motivation to learn Spanish is an essential ingredient to success! If you're ready to take your Spanish to the next level and master the usage of definite articles, then join us for a free Spanish class with one of our friendly, certified, native Spanish-speaking teachers from Guatemala. Sign up today!

Practice Your Spanish

We know that starting a language learning journey is challenging, but at Homeschool Spanish Academy we’ve got you covered! Our one-on-one classes with native Spanish speakers help you build self-confidence as you become a more fluent speaker! Not only can you opt for individual lessons, but you can also pick the class duration and time of day that suits you best!

Becoming bilingual empowers you to talk with more people, learn about new cultures, and gain new perspectives! Sign up for a free trial class today and change your life by learning Spanish!

sign up for a free spanish class
Sign up for your FREE TRIAL CLASS today!

Want more free Spanish lessons, fun content, and easy learning strategies? Check these out!

  • 50 Useful Spanish Transition Words for Everyday Speech and Writing
  • Master the 18 Spanish Tenses (and Take Our Cheat Sheet With You)
  • All About Adverbial Clauses in Spanish
  • The Ultimate Guide to the Differences Between ‘Pero’ and ‘Sino’ in Spanish
  • A Guide to Double Negatives in Spanish
  • Ver Conjugation: Free Spanish Lesson, Exercises, and PDF
  • Common Irregular Informal Commands in Spanish
  • Dialect vs Accent: Is It a Language, Dialect, or Accent?
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Alejandra Castellanos
Alejandra Castellanos
Freelance Writer at Homeschool Spanish Academy
A native Spanish speaker and college student born in Guatemala, I have a passion for writing in English and sharing valuable language information with Spanish learners. If my readers can enjoy the lessons and information I share, I’ll consider my work done!
Alejandra Castellanos
Latest posts by Alejandra Castellanos (see all)
  • Christmas Songs and Vocabulary for Kids in Spanish - December 13, 2022
  • 100 Sentences With the Spanish Verb Ser - September 1, 2022
  • Learn the Shapes (Free Spanish Lessons for Kids) - January 13, 2022
grammar grammar quiz spanish grammar
0

Related Posts

Spanish for dummies

Spanish for Dummies [Greetings, Questions, Small Talk, and More]

March 10, 2022
Read More
spanish pronouns

3 Types of Spanish Pronouns to Perfect Your Fluency

May 16, 2021
Read More
you formal in Spanish

How to Say ‘You’ in Formal and Informal Spanish

September 21, 2021
Read More
filler words in Spanish

The Ultimate Guide to Filler Words in Spanish for More Natural Conversations

September 27, 2021
Read More

Leave a Comment! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

9 Family-Friendly Touristic Activities To Do in Panama With KidsPrevious Post
10 Fascinating Facts About Ushuaia, Argentina, the World’s Southernmost CityNext Post

About Us

With over 10 years of experience, HSA is where your goals merge with our teachers’ passion: to improve your Spanish fluency. Custom-tailored to fit your needs, you choose your program, schedule, favorite teachers, pace of learning, and more.. Learn More

Resources

  • About
  • Get a Transcript
  • FAQs
  • How it Works
  • Partners

Recent Posts

  • What to Expect in Your Preschooler’s First Spanish Class
    What to Expect in Your Preschooler’s First Spanish Class
    April 25, 2025
    Nervous about starting Spanish? Here’s...
  • Spanish Songs Your Preschooler Will Love (and Learn From!)
    Spanish Songs Your Preschooler Will Love (and Learn From!)
    April 24, 2025
    Music makes Spanish stick. Here are the...

Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Contact Us© 2022 HSA. All rights reserved.