South America... a mixture of African, Indian and European influences which have given it a very distinct flavor. It has a host of marvelous attractions, with most suitable for the whole family. You will find science, nature and history exhibits throughout the continent as well as a host of natural attractions, from volcanoes to cold glaciers and strange animals. It offers incredible pre-Columbian sights all along the Andes Mountains in Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Colombia. The best known of these are probably the Nazca Lines (Ica), Chan Chan (Trujillo) and Machu Picchu (Cuzco) in Peru and Ciudad Perdida in Colombia. Furthermore, there are lots of stylish colonial churches and palaces, there are also great beaches and a very good atmosphere to give you a change from your daily routine.
Those who are into the fast paced life of big cities have a number of cities to choose from. Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Santiago or Lima all combine modern life with a South-American touch. In all of South America, native Indian languages are still spoken, but they become less frequently so. In countries like Paraguay and Bolivia the indiginous languages are (almost) dominant.
The Amazon River (Rio Amazonas) of South America is one of the longest two rivers on Earth. The Amazon has by far the greatest total flow of any river, carrying more than the Mississippi, Nile, and Yangtze rivers combined. The Amazon Rainforest in South America represents over half of the planet's remaining rainforests. This region is home to 2.5 million insect species, tens of thousands of plants, and some 2000 birds and mammals. The diversity of plant species is the highest on earth with some experts estimating that one square kilometer may contain over 75,000 types of trees and 150,000 species of higher plants. This constitutes the largest collection of living plants and animal species in the world.
South America is home to many interesting species of animals including parrots, tarantulas, snakes, and mammals. There are not many large predators in South America, but the Jaguar is one of the strongest predators in the world. There are three animals found mainly in South America that look very different from each other, but are closely related. These are the sloth, the anteater and the armadillo. One of the most famous animals that lives in the Amazon river is the piranha fish. They are known for their sharp teeth and an aggressive appetite for meat and flesh. The largest snake in the world, the Anaconda, lives in the rivers and dense forests of South America. Brightly colored poisonous frogs live inside the forests. The camel-like Llama is another important animal that lives in South America.
The world's highest free-falling waterfall Angel Falls is located in the wilderness of Venezuela. Another important waterfall is Iguacu Falls, which is taller than Niagara Falls. The water level rises and falls with the season, but the spectacular Devil's Throat with its high-flying plume of spray is always a thrill. The fact that the newly discovered Gocta Falls in Peru are the third largest in the world, says a lot about the exoticness of the continent.
The Amazon River (Rio Amazonas) of South America is one of the longest two rivers on Earth. The Amazon has by far the greatest total flow of any river, carrying more than the Mississippi, Nile, and Yangtze rivers combined. The Amazon Rainforest in South America represents over half of the planet's remaining rainforests. This region is home to 2.5 million insect species, tens of thousands of plants, and some 2000 birds and mammals. The diversity of plant species is the highest on earth with some experts estimating that one square kilometer may contain over 75,000 types of trees and 150,000 species of higher plants. This constitutes the largest collection of living plants and animal species in the world.
South America is home to many interesting species of animals including parrots, tarantulas, snakes, and mammals. There are not many large predators in South America, but the Jaguar is one of the strongest predators in the world. There are three animals found mainly in South America that look very different from each other, but are closely related. These are the sloth, the anteater and the armadillo. One of the most famous animals that lives in the Amazon river is the piranha fish. They are known for their sharp teeth and an aggressive appetite for meat and flesh. The largest snake in the world, the Anaconda, lives in the rivers and dense forests of South America. Brightly colored poisonous frogs live inside the forests. The camel-like Llama is another important animal that lives in South America.
The world's highest free-falling waterfall Angel Falls is located in the wilderness of Venezuela. Another important waterfall is Iguacu Falls, which is taller than Niagara Falls. The water level rises and falls with the season, but the spectacular Devil's Throat with its high-flying plume of spray is always a thrill. The fact that the newly discovered Gocta Falls in Peru are the third largest in the world, says a lot about the exoticness of the continent.
Our Top Picks for South America:
1 Machu Picchu, Peru
Rugged treks to awe-inspiring ancient Inca ruins hidden in cloud forests
2 Galapagos Islands
Stunning volcanic islands teem with fearless animals, offering the wildlife experience of a lifetime
Rugged treks to awe-inspiring ancient Inca ruins hidden in cloud forests
2 Galapagos Islands
Stunning volcanic islands teem with fearless animals, offering the wildlife experience of a lifetime
3 Amazon, Brazil
Steamy jungles packed with wildlife and lingering rivers set the stage for unforgettable adventure
Steamy jungles packed with wildlife and lingering rivers set the stage for unforgettable adventure
4 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The breathtaking city of samba and beach culture, with one of the world's wildest parties
The breathtaking city of samba and beach culture, with one of the world's wildest parties
5 Cartagena, Colombia
Architectural gem of the continent, a city graced with winding alleys and bougainvillea-strewn balconies
Architectural gem of the continent, a city graced with winding alleys and bougainvillea-strewn balconies
6 Kaieteur Falls, Guyana
One of the world's highest, single-drop falls, hidden deep in the Amazon
One of the world's highest, single-drop falls, hidden deep in the Amazon
7 Parque Nacional Madidi, Bolivia
Massive Amazonian park with some of the greatest biodiversity of any of the earth's protected regions
Massive Amazonian park with some of the greatest biodiversity of any of the earth's protected regions
8 Buenos Aires, Argentina
One of the continent's coolest cities boasts elegant buildings, colorful neighborhoods, excellent cuisine and gorgeous residents
One of the continent's coolest cities boasts elegant buildings, colorful neighborhoods, excellent cuisine and gorgeous residents
9 San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
An oasis town offering splendid desert odyssey tours of salt mountains, moonscapes and geysers
An oasis town offering splendid desert odyssey tours of salt mountains, moonscapes and geysers
10 Pantanal, Brazil
A wild region with one of the greatest densities of animal life on the continent
A wild region with one of the greatest densities of animal life on the continent
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