Nazca Lines

Nazca Desert - is a desert plateau on the southern coast of Peru. Nazca received worldwide fame due to an ancient Indian culture, which flourished in 3 - 8 century BC. It were they who created the famous

Nazca lines-drawings, which are visible even from space.

Nazca were farmers and were treated with fertile plains along the Pacific coast of Peru. They left no evidence of their writing system: all the known facts about them have been obtained by studying the burial places of the Nazca and found objects.

Civilization of the ancient Nazca Indians got its name from the river in a valley which had been discovered monuments of this culture - the mysterious giant drawings. These pictures are mainly located on the cliffs along the Rio Grande and its tributaries, in the extremely arid zone between the valleys of Ica and Nazca.

Who and what created these images still remains a mystery. The world's largest product of graphic art encompasses an area of ​​520 sq. km. Open to the world they were in 1941 when they went to study American archaeologist Dr Paul Kosok from Long Island University. These lines, drawn in red rock desert, represent more than 100 known plants, animals and simple geometric shapes, as well as a scattering of obscure, not related to each other straight lines.

All figures in the desert were performed by one and the same way: the surface layer of reddish rock continuous line scratched before lying beneath a pale yellow rock. Apparently, this was done manually. The lines are so straight that there is an assumption that the staves were used to draw them. Still remains a mystery how a painter could so accurately adhere to plan and achieve the effect of straight line at such large distances.

According to one theory is that all these shapes and lines represent "the largest astronomy world book." These images show the location of stars and constellations at different times of the year used by ancient Nazca to determine the exact time of plowing, sowing and other important "phases" of the agricultural cycle. On another, more modern version, is that some of the mysterious lines can actually point to the underground water sources. The ancient inhabitants of Nazca, perhaps, have noted the location of their distribution system of water supplies, because during the drought they were more reliable sources of potable and irrigation water than the rivers.

How to see the Nazca drawings?
To do this, go to the provincial Peruvian town located about 450 km south of Lima. Here, from the airport every 5-10 minutes rises a little four-seater plane, at an altitude of several hundred meters to make a half-circled figures.

Titicaca Lake

Titicaca Lake - a lake in the mountains of the Andes, located on the border between Peru and Bolivia, the Altiplano plateau. This is the largest lake in South America and the world's highest navigable lake.

25 rivers flow into the lake which are flowing down from the glaciers surrounding the Altiplano and follows the river Desaguadero. Water salinity is about 1 ‰, so Titicaca is a freshwater lake.

Titicaca Lake is the largest alpine lake in the world, it 'climbed' to a height of 3,812 meters. Alpine basin is formed as a result of ancient tectonic events, it is assumed that the lake was part of a larger body of water, sea or ocean.

There are different opinion on how to translate the name of the lake. "Titicaca Lake" is translated from the Aymara means "sacred stone". Another legend says that Lake Titicaca - is a "stone cougar", if you look at him with a bird's-eye view, you can see the outlines of this animal, surrounded by mountains. The second translation is "tin box". This justifies the name of a specific color of the water in the pond.

Tourists familiar with Lake Titicaca in Puno start - a city founded in 1668 near the mine, where silver was mined. Beside the lake, and tourists interested in the islands, which are naturally swim on the lake with all its population. A total of 32 natural lake of the island. 6 of them became a shelter for foreign tourists, they are called - "the island hotels". This Estebes, Amangani, Taquile, Soto - in the Peruvian part of the lake and Sun and Moon Islands are in the territory of Bolivia.

In addition to these "settled" Islands in the Bay of Puno there are also 44 floating islands - artificial one. They are collectively known as "Uros" - on behalf of their inhabitants - the Indians, numbering about 1200 people.

Colombia

Columbia, with its grand tropical forests, mountains, beaches, beautiful towns and charming people, must stand among the most attractive places in the world. Unfortunately, the continuing guerrilla war and the activities of cocaine cartels have made a significant part of Colombia, the media nicknamed "Locombia" (crazy country), not available to all, except for the foolhardy travelers. But there is a chance to enjoy the pungent mixture of legends and mysticism. If you avoid traveling on land transport, to attend only the major cities and tourist destinations, so stay tuned, you can greatly relax in Colombia and get a lot of pleasant emotions.

Activities in Colombia

Very popular six-day hiking in the wreck of La Siyudad Perdida (The Lost City). Conductors can provide transportation, meals and accommodation (conductor is necessary, because in this area is a lot of marijuana plants and coca). Five-or seven-day hike along the route Nabusimake Pico Colón through Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta - a great way to enjoy the mountains of Colombia. Excellent dive sites are located near the islands of Rosario 30 kilometers from Cartagena, and near the island of Baru, near the peninsula to the south of Cartagena on. The waters near the islands of San Andres and Providencia are populated by beautiful fish. Adventure tours in the jungle deep into the Amazon can be organized in Leticia. Equipped with well trained guides and are easily organize tours for up to 10 days. The jungle are often grim, so it is recommended to take with a photosensitive film, and a means of mosquitoes.

Titicaca Lake

Titicaca Lake: on the border of Bolivia and Peru

Lost in the Andes and covered with legends, Titicaca awakens the imagination, makes one want to visit its shores. But the real attraction here is not visible - a few dozens of floating islands.

The lake itself had contrived to climb to an altitude of 3820 meters. Occupying the lower part of the highlands stakes Titicaca belongs to 2 countries - Peru and Bolivia. The maximum width of 80 kilometers, and the total surface - 8300 square kilometers, most of whom are located in Peruvian territory. Tourists traveling to Peru, familiarity with the lake beginning in Puno - a city founded in 1668 near the mine, where silver was mined. The town stands on a hillside on the slope increases, and he has nowhere else to grow. For three centuries, the population had accumulated to 100 thousand. There is speculation that the Titicaca - part of the ocean was cut off from him after the lifting of the Western Cordillera Oriental. This theory is confirmed by the presence on the Bolivian gigantic salt mines.

But most tourists are interested in the islands, which naturally float on the lake with all its population. It's hard to believe but it is true: Hundreds of people are born, grow up, spend their entire lives and leave them without leaving these islands, floating in the cool depths of nowhere over the lake.


"Lake Titicaca" in translation from the Aymara means "sacred stone". He was in the temple of the sun, and he in turn - on the island of the Sun, the largest of the entire lake archipelago. Unfortunately, from the temple itself remained only ruins. Tempered rather wayward Titicaca. Most steep it in the rainy season - from December to February. At this time, the river brings a lot of the red and the color of water in the lake is changing. In February, the level of the mirror is increased by half a meter, and maybe more. In the flood Titicaca overflows its banks, flooding fields and even the lower part of Puno, along with the pier. And when zaduyut winds up a big wave. Besides the lake there are ebbs and flows like the ocean, but water level fluctuations were modest - up to 80 centimeters. And yet, in such circumstances to live on the islands drifting, perhaps quieter than on the coast.

Tours to "Quantum of Solace" Shooting Places

Much of the shooting of the new James Bond film "Quantum of Solace", was held in several countries in Latin America. Now, Chile, Panama and Mexico offer tourists some original route travels in the footsteps of the world's most famous superagent.

In Chile, travelers can stay at the Radisson hotel in the colonial port city of Antofagasta - this is where the film crew lived while shooting. It is offered to make excursions to Paranal observatory and town Bakedano (Baquedano), where there was a movie set. Adventures await guests of five-star luxury hotel Explora en Atacama, which is located in an oasis in the Atacama Desert. In addition, tourists are encouraged to visit the vineyards near the Chile' capital Santiago.

The modern capital of Panama is also used to shoot street scenes. Tourists can see the old district of Panama City - Casco Viejo, many buildings that served as props for the film, and sail through the Panama Canal. Art Hotel Coral Lodge on the Caribbean coast is ideal for relaxing in the style of James Bond. Also, travelers are invited to travel by train from the city of Colon in Panama City and spend a few days in the hotel Canopy Tower, which is a refurbished military observation base.

Mexico offers recreation on the coast of the Gulf of California. From January to March you can watch the feeding of young whales in shallow lagoons. In addition, tourists can stay in one of the luxury hotels in the resort of Loreto, where the best beaches in Mexico.

"Queen of Rivers" - The Amazon River...

The Indians called the Amazon River - Paraná-Tingo, which means " Queen of Rivers. " And indeed, this river is by all measures - the greatest in the world.

The honor of opening the Amazon River belongs to the Spanish conquistador Francisco de Orelyano. On named it in honor of the women warriors of Greek mythology, when mistook for a female long-haired Indian Yagua dressed in fibrous skirt. Interes to the discovery of the Amazon rose again in the late XIX century, connection with the rubber boom.

Brazilian Amazon - a vast realm of swamps and jungles, in turn, is the greatest in the lowlands of earth. During the flood, when the level of the Amazon rises to 20 feet, this flat is flooded nearly 100 kilometers in area, turning into a huge fresh water sea prick here and there the tops of trees.

Amazonian tidal feature is the famous "Prophetsa" which means "thundering water". From the clash of the mighty river runs to meet the tidal wave on the Amazon River formed 6 meters high water wall, topped with foamy crest. He rolls up the river with a loud roar, sweeping away everything in its path and mount the vessel, which did not have time in advance to take refuge in a side channel or bay.

Depth at the mouth of the Amazon is about 100 meters, and even after 3 000 kilometers, it exceeds 20 meters, which allows sea-going vessels pass through the whole of Brazil and get to Peru.

Amazon got its name because the Spanish conquerors, who, fighting on the banks of the river with the Indians, were struck by the fury of the intrepid Indian women, who fought along with men of the tribe. Brave warriors reminded Spaniards ancient myth of Amazon - and through them the river got its name.

The waters of the Amazon known as "white" - because of the huge amount of silt transported river water becomes very turbid, opaque and seems bright. In this regard, near the city of Manaus is possible to observe a very amusing effect. At the confluence of the Amazon Rio Negro, the water which, on the contrary, it is very clear and, as a consequence, it seems almost black (hence the name of the river) water of these two powerful rivers do not mix immediately, within 15 miles down the Amazon River from Manaus can be seen a parallel, in the same vein, two-colored flowing river.

Amazon basin without reason called the "green lungs" of our planet - that the largest array of tropical rain forest on Earth is the main supplier of oxygen in the atmosphere. But civilization is increasingly coming to the Amazon jungle - and the scope of this appalling attack: every hour disappears 4 square kilometers of the Amazon jungle and the speed of development of these lands man is ever increasing.

South America Fun Facts

• Colombia supplies 90% of the world production of Emeralds.


• The Driest place on earth is the Atacama Desert, in Argentina. It's a place with virtually no vegetation; in some parts of Atacama Desert, it has never rained!


• Highest peak of South America, Aconcagua, is also in Argentina. It is 22,834 feet high.


• Venezuela is home to the highest uninterrupted waterfall, Salto Del Angel, at 979 meters.


• Argentina. - largest Spanish-speaking country of South America


• Sao Paulo, Brazil is the 2nd largest city in the world, with a population of almost 18 million!


• Many of the most important discoveries of dinosaur fossils in the last 30 years were made in South America.


• Brazil has many famous actresses, some of them are: Gloria Pires, Fernanda Montenegro, Florionda Bolkan, Sonia Braga, Regina Duarte, Vera Fischer, Xuxa, and Bruna Lombardi.


• “Evita” a film by British director Alan William Parker was inspired in the life of Maria Eva Duarte de Peron, who was first lady of Argentina in the past century.


• Gabriel Jose Garcia Marquez is one of the best writers in South America. He was born on March 6, 1928, in Aracataca, Magdalena,Colombia.Gabriel Garcia Marquez won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982.


• UNESCO has declared Noel Kempff Mercado National Park (Bolivia), Rapa Nui National Park (Chile), Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary (Colombia), Galapagos Islands (Ecuador), Central Suriname Nature Reserve (Suriname) and Jesuit Missions of La Santisima Trinidad de Parana and Jesus de Tavarange (Paraguay) World Heritages Sites.


• The Colombian people have two idols: Shakira (singer) and Carlos Vives (singer)…


• Brazil takes up 47.8% of South America.


• South America is unusual in that it is both highly urbanized and poor.


• The Andes are a tall mountain range that lines the western portion of South America.


• The Amazon River carries rain and snowfall from the Andes Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean.


• In 1493, Pope Alexander VI drew a line that split South America between Spain and Portugal.


• Simon Bolivar was a Venezuelan revolutionary leader known as "the Liberator." Bolivar fought the Spanish to win the independence of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia.Simon Bolivar.


• Colombia is a mountainous nation known for it’s coffee and citrus exports. Unfortunately, the Colombian government has been unable to stop the flow of illegal drugs from their nation.


• Oil is a major source of wealth in Venezuela.


• Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana are small tropical nations along the north coast of South America.  Rainforest comprise a great deal of the sparsely populated lands of the nations.


• Charles Darwin formed his theories about evolution Charles Darwinwhile sailing in the Galapagos Islands.


• Bolivia is located high in the Andes mountains. American visitors to Bolivia often find it hard to breath due to the lack of oxygen at high altitude.


• Paraguay is a poor, landlocked Andean nation.


• Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are the largest cities in Brazil, but the capital is the smaller city of Brasilia located deep in the highlands of central Brazil.


• Carnival is a four-day Brazilian festival that comes before Lent.


• Argentina has become a "melting pot" nation. More people have immigrated to Argentina from Europe than any other Latin American nation.


• Tierra del Fuego is an archipelago (or a group of islands) at the southern tip of South America.


• Copacabana has the most “best rate” possibilities. There are exchange businesses on every street, take a consensus and the best rate.