The two continents which make up this part of the world were largely unknown to the outside world until the 15th century when Christopher Columbus accidentally discovered North America. Although the Norse explorer Leif Erikson had already sailed to this part of the planet before the Spanish, he did not colonize the land and left it just as he had found it. Mass emigration from Europe to these ‘exotic’ lands resulted in large indigenous populations being wiped out from diseases and enslavement, leading to a huge loss of history and culture. However, today, the legacy of colonization has ensured that both the Americas share many common traits, common Indo-European languages, and a dominant religion, Christianity, which accounts for 86% of the population. The English influence on Anglo America which includes Canada and the United States is quite apparent when compared to Latin America which had a larger Spanish and Portuguese presence.
Given the extent of land that the Americas cover, from north to south, the diversity of the landscape and climate is vast. Kaffeklubben Island, the northernmost point on the earth lies in this region, while the southernmost point of the Americas extends to Antarctica. Running along the west coast is the American Cordillera which comprises the Andes in South America and the Rocky Mountains and other ranges in North America. The eastern side which is much flatter is characterized by large river basins such as the Mississippi and the Amazon. Today, travelers to the Americas are as ‘wowed’ by the New World as were the explorers. The blend of the old with the new, the gleaming metropolises such as Chicago, New York, Rio de Janeiro, and Miami to name a few, with some of the most advanced technology in the world, the rugged Wild West, and the lost worlds of South America, draw thousands of travelers to this part of the world.
I was 11 years old when I heard this name for the first time. I was intrigued even by the sound of it. I read and studied about it for months and then my father took me to visit it. Not even for one second did I ever imagine that Machu Picchu would become, only 7…
Lima was founded on January 18, 1535, as Ciudad de Los Reyes (City of the Kings), by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro. It became the capital and most important city for the Spanish Kingdom in the New World within the next years. It quickly became the epicenter of culture, religion, architecture, trade, fashion and more in…
Rio de Janeiro is known as the “Marvelous City” for a reason. Actually for many many reasons. Rio de Janeiro is the second largest city of Brazil and the sixth in the Americas. “Rio” as most people call it, is one of the main tourist destinations in the Southern Hemisphere, famous for its beaches, Carnaval celebration and…
When I think of great architecture, amazing food, lovely people, excellent entertainment, 90 wonderful museums, 54 green parks, beautiful language and incomparable melting pot in South America that has one name only: Sao Paulo. This metropolis is always welcoming to all those who pay a visit. Whether you go on business or pleasure, Sao Paulo has an…
Santiago is the sprawling capital city of Chile, often praised for its idyllic location, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. It has a population of over 6 million people and is divided into ‘comunas’ which are similar to large suburbs, each with their own city council. Here, ancient traditions coexist with 21st-century life on every street and…
The capital of South America’s poorest country has a mix of modern capitalism, Spanish colonialism, and ancient Inca traditions. While not the official capital of Bolivia, which would be Sucre, La Paz has more government departments. It nestled in a valley and scrambling up hills more than 3658 meters (12,000 ft) above sea level makes…
Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, is one of the most dangerous cities in the world, but despite its bad reputation because of the violence and pickpockets, this city has plenty of attractions to deliver to its visitors. It is the political and financial capital of the country and at one point in history, it was…
Paraguay is one of the hidden gems in South America. Despite being enviously situated at the heart of one of the most thrilling continents on the planet, it is ignored by most travelers. Paraguay is a country that exhibits Some of the greatest examples of architecture with modern cities and vast exotic natural reserves with…
Guyana is a sovereign state, located on the northern coast of South America. Culturally, it is considered part of the Anglophone Caribbean. It sits alone on the continent of South America as an former British colony, sharing a Caribbean flavor where English is the first language and cricket the national sport. It is an untravelled…
Christopher Columbus first sighted French Guiana in 1498, deep in equatorial South America. French Guiana is a department of France bordering Brazil, Suriname, and the Atlantic since they settled in the region in the 17th century. It has few people, a vast amazon rainforest, savanna and a long coast along the Atlantic Ocean. Here are the Top 4…
Located on the Atlantic coast of South America, Suriname is a tiny country and a former Dutch Colony with a very interesting history. It was first colonized by English, then by Dutch, and was influenced by different cultures. We have made a list of the Top 5 Things To Do In Suriname. [booking_product_helper shortname=”suriname”] Galibi Nature Reserve…
Located off the southern tip of South America, some 480 km (300 miles) from the coast of Argentina, the Falkland Islands (also known as Malvinas) are a British Overseas Territory. A natural paradisiac archipelago of more than 740 islands. The islands boast white sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters and an abundance of native and migratory…
Tucked in between Brazil and Argentina, tiny Uruguay is often missed out or forgotten about. The common misconception is that there aren’t many places to visit in Uruguay. However, all those who travel to Uruguay will fall in love with the country. With Spanish and African influences, this is one of South America’s most intoxicating countries. Check…
Holding the title of the world’s southernmost city, Ushuaia is flanked by the most southern point of the Andes Mountain range. If you are interested in hopping on a boat to Antarctica, it is from Ushuaia that you would do so! The end of the world is an incredible place with many activities like taking…
One of the most remote and beautiful places on earth and a world heritage site, comprising of 13 major volcanic islands (and more than 40 smaller islands). The Galápagos Islands are a series of volcanic islands that straddle either side of the Equator about 926 km (575 miles) west of Mainland Ecuador. Having literally risen from…
Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui, is a tiny volcanic island halfway between Oceania and South America, at the southeasternmost point of the Polynesian triangle. Easter Island is mostly famous for the Moai, massive human figures carved from stone by the Rapa Nui people between 1250 and 1500 AD. The 887 giant Moai statues…
People from all over the world are flocking to a cliff in Rio de Janeiro, to take death-defying adventure photos overlooking the ocean below. It all started in November 2015 when Luis Fernando Candela was photographed by his girlfriend and appeared to be hanging off a cliff above a 300 meter (1,000 ft) drop. Even the best hotels…
Cartagena is a thriving port city on the Caribbean coastal region of Colombia and was established as a major trading port in 1533. Blue skies, cool clear Caribbean waters and steeped in history, fun-filled adventure and some of the finest Colombian cuisine. This beautiful city with its dark past is a city that is the…
Sao Salvador da Bahia de Todos os Santos or simply Salvador is the capital of Bahia in Brazil. It was the first capital of Brazil, founded in 1549 by the Portuguese and continued to be the capital until 1763. The colonial influences are evident in this city which is one of the oldest colonial cities…
Quito, the capital city of Ecuador sits at an elevation of 2,580 meters above sea level, making it the second-highest official capital city in the world, after La Paz. It also has the distinction of being the closest capital city to the equator with its central square being about 25 kilometers south of the equator.…
Arequipa, the second-largest city in Peru after Lima, has earned the sobriquet of the ‘legal capital of Peru’ since it is the seat of the Constitutional Court of Peru. It is also part of the Southern Peru Tourist Corridor along with Cusco, Puno, and Nazca. The city which was founded in 1540, has maintained a…
The capital of Uruguay, Montevideo, is the southernmost capital in the Americas and has been consistently rated first on the quality of life in Latin America. The city was founded in 1724 by a Spanish soldier as a strategic move against Portugal during the dispute over the platine region. The first inhabitants of the city…
The City of Mendoza as it is officially known as is located in the northern central part of the province of Mendoza in Argentina. The bustling tree-lined city is a stopover point for climbers to Mount Aconcagua and also for skiers in the winter looking for easy access to the Andes. Mendoza is synonymous with…
Sitting high up in the Andes at an elevation of 3,400 meters is the Inca capital, Cusco, designated as the ‘Historical capital of Peru.” This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Americas. Although the Spaniards demolished most of the important buildings of the city, they used the foundations for…