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The continent of South America is one of contrasts and superlatives. Home to the Amazon Rainforest, Sleek, vibrant cities like Rio de Janeiro and Santiago, mountain ranges and waterfalls, glaciers, lakes and picturesque scenery it is no surprise that South America contains dozens of World Heritage Sites.
Brazil is the largest country in the New World and has a number of Heritage sites. Over 6 million hectares in size, the Central Amazon Conservation Complex is the largest protected area in the Amazon Basin. It is one of the world's richest regions in terms of biodiversity and your guides can help you spot native fauna. Try your hand at piranha fishing, look high in the trees for monkeys and tree sloths. See the famous anaconda and black caimans.
Brazil shares the world's most amazing series of waterfalls with Argentina. Iguacu Falls can be reached from either side of the border. With the huge range of bird species making it a birdwatcher's paradise, walkways helping you get close to the stunning falls, and incredibly diverse flora, this simply must be a stop on your tour of South America.
Over the border in Argentina, start with the Valdes Peninsular and watch sea lions, elephant seals resting on the shoreline. Southern right whales and orcas swim in the waters by the peninsular watched overhead by a myriad of bird species. The Valdes Peninsular is one of the world's most important for its marine conservation.
Travel to Argentina's magnificent Patagonia's Las Glaciares National Park. Between towering snow capped mountains, picture perfect lakes and parks and the largest icecap outside of the Polar Regions, this is one of the most breathtaking regions of the world.
For more wildlife you can't go past the famed Galapagos Islands. Endemic giant sea turtles, marine iguanas and countless bird species make this a dream come true for any nature lover. Its waters are bursting with sea life making this a premier destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. Cruises to the archipelago are popular and usually include such activities as volcano hiking, wildlife watching and photography tours. Whatever your interest, a trip to the Galapagos Islands will offer you a trip of a lifetime.
Visit the mysterious Rapa Nui, Chile's Easter Island. One of the world's most isolated and mysterious places Rapa Nui is a must see for any traveler. The mystical Moai, the stone statues that have made this island famous are not the only thing you'll see on Easter Island. A gift from the earliest inhabitants of Rapa Nui, are thousands of Petroglyphs. Many of these rock carvings depict animals and birds, as well as the anthropomorphic birdmen. Unlike many heritage sites, the relics on Easter Island are remarkably accessible, making this tiny island a virtual open-air museum.
Second only to Australia's Great Barrier Reef, is the reef off the coast of Belize. This azure paradise is Belize's top tourist destination, a playground for snorkelers and scuba divers alike. With one foot in the jungles of South America and the other in the aquamarine of the Caribbean, Belize seems to offer the best of both worlds, and its most beautiful jewel.
Probably one of South America's most recognizable sites is the Lost City of the ancient Incans. Machu Picchu is hidden high up in the Andes and is both one of the world's most rich cultural sites, and astonishingly beautiful. Clinging to the stunning mountainside, it was an important astronomical observatory, and is to this day one of the best examples of Incan architecture and engineering.
Just below Machu Picchu is the World Heritage City of Cuzco, capital of the Incan Empire. It is home to the Palace of the Sun and the Palace of the Incas.
San Augustin Archeological Park is found in the Columbian region of Huila. It holds the largest group of religious monuments and megalithic structures in all of South America. There are more than 300 depictions of Gods and mythical animals in both realistic and abstract art pieces that display the creativity of the Andean culture.
The birthplace of important ancient civilizations and home to some of nature's most beautiful and powerful works of art; it is little wonder that there are many UNESCO sites in South America. Nature lovers, history and architecture buffs or those looking to relax in paradise can all have the holiday of a lifetime by visiting some of South America's amazing heritage sites.
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