Explore South America

About south America

South America is a vast continent that encompasses countries in the western hemisphere. Situated below Panama, it includes Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana to the north, while Brazil occupies roughly half of the continent to the east. To the west and south of Colombia lies Ecuador, followed by Peru, Bolivia, and Chile, with Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina to the south of Brazil.

The continent is surrounded by the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, with the Great Southern Ocean to the south and the Caribbean Sea to the north. Most of South America is located in the southern hemisphere, with the Andes mountains running the entire length of the continent, creating a variety of climates ranging from tropical, sub-tropical, desert, semi-arid, Mediterranean, temperate, and alpine zones.

South America boasts diverse natural features, including towering mountain ranges, thousands of volcanoes, vast plains, tropical and subtropical rainforests, and the driest deserts on earth. The continent also boasts a massive coastline with numerous outlying islands.

Early immigration to South America mainly came from Spain and Portugal, with Spanish and Portuguese being the primary languages spoken. Before colonization, indigenous peoples lived in tribes and civilizations such as the Cañaris, Chibchas, Xinguanos, Caral Supe, Norte Chico, Chavín, Moche, Tiwanaku, and Inca.

Countries

• Argentina
• Brazil
• Colombia
• Ecuador

Top 10 cities to visit:

• Rio de Janeiro Brazil, is famous for carnivals, beaches, and an outstanding landscape;
• Sao Paulo Brazil is the largest city in South America.
• Buenos Aires Argentina, deserves the title, ‘The Paris of South America’;
• Quito Ecuador, the first city in the world to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Santiago Chile, where old and new architecture sit side by side;
• Lima Peru, has extensive Incan archeological sites and colonial architecture;
• Cusco Peru, an ancient Incan city high up in the Andes.
• Cartegena Colombia, is a tropical, colourful, colonial city on the Caribbean coast.
• Bogota Colombia, has huge modern malls and historic neighborhoods side by side;
• Florianopolis Brazil, a historic city with great beaches, surfing, and seafood.

Top 10 areas & sites to visit:

• The Amazon Basin, the richest bio-diverse area on Earth;
• The Andes, the world’s second highest mountain range;
• The Galapagos, island group that is rich in bio-diversity;
• The Atacama, the driest desert in the world;
• Patagonia, an area of stunning mountain peaks and alpine meadows;
• Angel Falls in Venezuela, the highest falls on Earth;
• Iguazu (Iguassu/Iguacu), 275 spectacular waterfalls surrounded by sub-tropical rain forest.
• Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the world’s highest coastal mountain range at 5,700 m (18,700 ft).
• Tayrona National Park Colombia, is an ecotourism park with reefs, beaches, Indian ruins.
• Machu Picchu Peru, is a superb natural and archaeological wonder;