Discover the Splendor of South America
Ancient Citadels, Amazing Wildlife, Awesome Falls
South America is a continent of vast expanse, resources, and natural beauty. This wild continent, positioned between the Caribbean, the South Pacific, and the South Atlantic Oceans, remains unknown to many travelers, yet holds a real treasure for both the intrepid explorer of nature and the lover of great cities.
South America has the biggest rainforest, the second longest river, the highest mountain range in the Western Hemisphere, tropics and ice, the world’s tallest waterfall and islands as remote and mysterious as any in the world.
A trip to the countries of South America remains the trip of a lifetime, a journey that will certainly rival any other. Whether to the high plateaus and ruins of Peru, the natural wonders of the Galapagos, or the icy landscapes of Patagonia, soft adventure travelers will never lack for a new holiday here.
The ruins of ancient civilizations sit scattered among the jungles and islands of South America, and modern-day cities rich in culture and architecture are juxtaposed. The flora and fauna of the great Amazon jungle are richer than that of Africa, and many plants and animals remain uncataloged. For those of a more urban inclination the great colonial cities and modern metropolises of South America rival those of Europe.
Here are some regional highlights to explore:
Iguaza Falls – Comprising 275 different cascades and defining the border between Brazil and Argentina, Iguaza (or Iguassu) is three times the size of Niagra and boats the greatest flow of any waterfall on earth.
Christ the Redeemer – Standing 130 feet high atop Corcovado Mountain and named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, this massive statue has welcomed visitors to Rio de Janeiro since 1932.
Buenos Aires – Capital of Argentina, this cultured city is known as the “Paris of South America” for its rich European heritage. Birthplace of the tango, its streets are lined with lively cafes, art galleries and fashionable boutiques.
Machu Picchu – Another of the New Seven Wonders and the very icon of Peru, this ancient citadel built around 1450 – stands as a testament to the once great Inca empire. The “Lost city” was rediscovered in 1911.
Amazon – Stretching more than 4,000 miles from the Andes in Peru through Brazil all the way to the Atlantic Ocean, the Amazon is the largest river in the world. Its lush rain forest is believed to hold half of the world’s 10 million species.
Manuel Antonio National Park – One of Costa Rica’s most popular parks, Manuel Antonio incorporates one of the most diverse bioregions in the world with pristine beaches, coral reefs, lush rainforest and rich wildlife.
Panama Canal – One of mankind’s greatest engineering feats, this 50-mile-long ship canal through the Isthmus of Panama unites the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. New locks were being added to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2014.
