Famous UNESCO sites in South America. Sights of South America
What to see in South America? All the most interesting places and attractions of South America: colorful photographs and detailed descriptions. When going on vacation, you should carefully consider which places to visit in South America. South America is a wonderful holiday destination that boasts its unique natural, cultural and historical attractions. Here you can get acquainted with the most famous and, on the contrary, new attractions of South America.
Perito Moreno Glacier is located in Argentina, in the Los Graciares National Park in the Patagonia region. 78 km from the glacier is the village of El Calafate, connected to a large civilization by air. The area of Perito Moreno is 250 km². It is part of a large ice plateau that has the third largest freshwater reserve in the world.
Statue of Christ the Redeemer looks from the heights of Corcovado onto the Brazilian Rio de Janeiro. The height of the monument is about 38 m, the span of outstretched arms is 3 tens of meters, and the structure weighs almost 1.2 thousand tons. An electric train takes tourists to the top, from which a stunning panorama opens.
Angel Falls- the highest on the planet (800-1000 meters), it falls in the Canaima National Park in Venezuela. Formed by the waters of the Churun River and its tributary Karao. "Churun" means "Thunder" in the Pemon language.
Machu Picchu or Lost City of the Incas located at an altitude of just over 2 thousand meters above sea level, in Cusco, Peru. It was sacred, and was created in 1440 during the reign of the harsh Pachacutec. In 1532, when the Spanish conquerors came to the country, Machu Picchu was not damaged due to its inaccessibility. In the same year, the townspeople mysteriously disappeared, leaving in their compact settlement about 200 buildings, represented by temples, residences, public buildings... Within Machu Picchu you can see the old city with its clear structure, the winding streets of residential areas, the remains of temples and altars for sacrifices. Good physical preparation will allow you to overcome the seemingly endless staircase leading to the “intuatana” - the stone to which the “sun is tied.” Machu Picchu is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Easter Island is the territory of Chile. Tourists come here to see the stone giants moai. In the compressed volcanic ash from which the statues are molded, according to legends, supernatural power lurks. Mysterious sculptures await guests within the Rapa Nui National Park and are under the auspices of UNESCO. They are human heads up to 20 m high, whose eyes are fixed on the heart of the island. No one knows how the statues got to Easter; legends say “they came on their own.”
Iguazu- a waterfall mix at the river of the same name, located on the border territory of Argentina and Brazil, within the national parks of two states with the same name "Iguazu". Both are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every year they gather an audience of 2 million tourists, for whom observation platforms are equipped and excursion routes are organized leading directly to the foot of the Iguazu. Local residents entertain guests with national songs and dances, dressed up in colorful attire.
Nazca- a desert on the southern coast of Peru, famous for its geoglyphs, which are geometric designs on the surface of the plateau. Nowadays, almost 3 dozen designs are distinguishable, similar to a spider, monkey, bird, flower and other objects. In addition, the lands are striped with 13 thousand features and 7 hundred figures, together with a hundred spiral-shaped ornateness. The peculiarities of the desert climatic zone have allowed geoglyphs to survive to this day. It is difficult to distinguish the outlines while on the ground, since some of them reach hundreds of meters in length. The structure and harmony of lines was discovered from a bird's eye view at the beginning of the last century. The attraction is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Titicaca- the greatest lake in South America, located in the territories of Peru and Bolivia, at an altitude of about 4 thousand meters. The highest navigable on the planet. Revered as sacred. Peculiar, since its two halves are quite different. The “twins” are connected by the Tikina Strait. The larger water area is called Lago Grande, the smaller one is Lago Pequeño. Funny from the point of view of Russian phonetics, the name of the lake is translated as “Mountain Puma”. It would seem, what can you see when you arrive at the lake, except for the vastness of the water surface? Andes! As well as 41 different-sized islands, the largest of which is the Island of the Sun. There are up to 180 different ruins on Sunny Island, dating back to the year 500! It is quite logical that to the east there is also the Island of the Moon, which also has many ancient ruins. The island of Tuckville will be interesting, where there is no electricity, cars and other benefits of civilization, and local residents profess the rule of three NOTs: do not lie, do not steal and do not be lazy.
Galapagos Islands are a Pacific archipelago west of Ecuador, it includes a dozen volcanic formations, plus half a dozen ordinary islands, coupled with 107 rocky and alluvial lands. The oldest of the islands is already about 10 million years old, and the youngest ones, Isabela and Fernandina, are still forming, erupting on them not so long ago, in 2005. They have the status of a National Park, and were once a shelter for convicts; today they are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and a protected area of the world biosphere. They are notable for their natural and endemic wildlife. Each of the islands in the Galapagos is unique and original.
SOUTH AMERICA. UNESCO World Heritage
UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES
Natural heritage sites
Objects of natural and cultural heritage
Cultural heritage sites
ARGENTINA
1 The ancient route of Quebrada de Humahuaca.
"The Inca Road".
2 Jesuit buildings and farms in Cordoba and the surrounding area. Buildings typical of the Jesuits: university, church, residence of the Society of Jesus, college.
3 Cave Cueva de las Manos. The oldest rock paintings dating back more than
10 thousand years.
4 Los Glaciares National Park. The largest glaciers in the Southern Hemisphere (except Antarctica) with many glacial lakes.
5 The spiritual and political center of Indian culture Tiwanaku is the capital of the ancient pre-Hispanic empire, which reached its greatest prosperity in the period from 500 to 900.
6 Archaeological site of Fuerte de Samay Pata. Inca religious buildings with rock carvings. A reminder of pre-Hispanic traditions and beliefs that have no analogues
in America.
7 Historic city of Sucre. The first capital of Bolivia with a characteristic mixture of local traditions and European styles in architecture.
8 Mining city of Potosi. The world's largest industrial complex of the 16th century.
BRAZIL
9 Fernando de Noronha Island and Rocas Atoll.
Habitat and breeding place for tuna, sharks, sea turtles and marine mammals. The largest aggregation of seabirds in the Western Atlantic.
10 Historical center of Olinda. Urban development of the 18th century: buildings, gardens, 20 churches, monasteries, many chapels.
11 Historic center of Salvador. The ancient capital of Brazil with a mixture of European, African and American cultures. The first slave market in the New World.
12 Pantanal protected area. One of the world's largest wetland areas
with an abundance of plants and animals.
13 Historic center of Goiás. An example of the organic development of a mining settlement
using local materials and traditional construction techniques.
14 The layout of the city of Brasilia resembles a flying bird. During construction, care was taken to ensure that every element of the city was in harmony with the overall design concept.
15 "Coast of Discovery". Forest reserves of the eastern Atlantic coast, one of the richest areas on the planet in terms of biodiversity. It is home to a number of endemic species.
16 Historical center of Diamantina. The capital of the “diamond rush” in South America (XVIII century). A symbol of the triumph of human cultural and artistic activity in unfavorable natural conditions.
17 The historical city of Ouro Preto. In the 18th century - the center of gold mining in Brazil. The many churches, bridges and fountains are evidence of past prosperity.
18 Church complex of Bom Jesus do Congonhas.
18th century complex consists of a church and seven chapels.
19 Forest reserves of the south-eastern Atlantic coast. 25 forest reserves illustrate the evolution of surviving virgin forests.
VENEZUELA
20 The city of Coro and its port is one of the first colonial cities and the only surviving example of a fusion of local traditions with Spanish and Dutch architectural techniques.
21 Canaima National Park. 65% of the park's territory is occupied by table-shaped mountains, interesting from both geological and biological points of view. Here is the world's highest waterfall - Angel.
COLOMBIA
22 Port, fortifications and monuments of Cartagena, the ancient capital of the Spanish colonialists.
23 Los Catios National Park. The pristine wetlands of the equatorial forests are home to many rare animals.
24 Tierradentro National Archaeological Park. Ancient burial structures (Vl-Xv.).
PARAGUAY
25 Jesuit missions of La Santísima.
26 Rio Abiseo National Park. Many endemic flora and fauna of tropical forests. 36 archaeological sites - evidence of pre-Inca civilization.
27 Archaeological zone Chan-Chan. The capital of the ancient state of Chimu is the largest city of pre-Columbian America.
28 Huascaran National Park. One of the highest peaks in the tropical zone. Deep gorges with mountain rivers, glacial lakes and varied vegetation.
29 Historical center of Lima (founded in 1535).
“City of Kings” until the middle of the 18th century. was the capital and most important city of the Spanish possessions in South America.
30 Manu National Park. Altitudinal zonation of subequatorial forests with a record species diversity of plants and animals.
31 Historical area of Machu Picchu. The city of Machu Picchu is located at an altitude of 2430m above sea level,
surrounded by tropical bushes. Built during the heyday of the Inca state.
32 City of Cusco. The ancient capital of the Incas, sacked by the Spaniards.
33 Historical quarter of the city of Colonia del Sacramento. Mixture of Portuguese and Spanish
and postcolonial styles.
34 City of Quito. Monasteries, church and Jesuit college, combining Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish and indigenous arts.
35 Sangai National Park. Includes a whole range of natural systems: from foothill tropical rainforests to snow-capped peaks
and glaciers.
36 Historical center of Cuenca. The city of Cuenca was built in 1557. The city's architecture largely dates back to the 18th century, but was updated during the economic prosperity of the 19th century.
37 Galapagos Archipelago National Park. Living Museum of Evolution.
World Travel
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This wonderful continent, fraught with so many mysteries and surprises, inspired both Jules Verne when he wrote his novel about adventures in Patagonia, “The Children of Captain Grant,” and Arthur Conan Doyle, who came up with “The Lost World” here, at the foot of Roraima. The main attractions of South America are unique natural sites, but in our top there is also room for several other pearls of the continent.
All of Rio is in front of you
One of the most famous attractions of South America (and, in particular, Brazil) remains the 38-meter statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. The Savior extends his hands over the city (their span reaches 30 meters), as if blessing everyone below. You can climb to the top of Mount Corcovado (on which the statue is installed) by electric train. The foot of Jesus has the best views of the bay and city, so the climb is a must!
For what offense were they buried in the ground?
Chile boasts another unique attraction in South America - Easter Island. Its main decoration is the giant statues (moai), around which the Rapa Nui National Reserve is organized. The statues (of which there are almost nine hundred) represent the heads of people, as if dug into the ground. The height and weight of the giants varies; they are made of fairly light rocks (tuff or basalt compounds, in other words, compressed volcanic ash). All the giants look towards the center of the island. Scientists claim that the moai were made in the 12th-15th centuries.
Abandoned by the ancient Incas
Another mysterious place - the lost settlement of the ancient Incas - is located in Peru. This is Machu Picchu; many people, including celebrities, dream about traveling here (for example, Katy Perry wrote such a trip on her “bucket list”). Machu Picchu rises on a plateau (about 2 thousand meters above sea level). The city was built in the middle of the 15th century, the Spanish conquistadors did not reach it, but where the inhabitants went is a big question. The Incas left their homes around the 1530s. But impressive buildings remained - residential buildings, temples, public buildings, staircases, which are well preserved to this day. Machu Picchu is one of the most interesting historical sites, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Lost World of Roraima
Now let’s admire the main natural attractions of South America! We have already mentioned Arthur Conan Doyle; his novel “The Lost World” was written after the writer and scientist visited the Guiana Highlands. Everything here is unique - from the fauna to the waterfalls. The bizarre landscape and mysterious haze over Mount Roraima invariably attract travelers. The 1,600-kilometer plateau stretches from north to south and passes through Brazil and Venezuela.
Mysterious Andes
The Andes mountain range (the length of which is over 7.3 thousand km) crosses the entire continent of South America and ends in the Cordillera in North America. Sparkling glaciers, stubborn volcanoes and high peaks reaching 6000 m, as well as picturesque valleys and the sources of mighty rivers - that’s what the Andes are. Fantastic area! The highest mountain in the chain is the Argentine peak of Aconcagua (6960 m).
Few people dare to visit the remote corner of the Andes, the harsh Atacama Plateau - after all, this is the driest desert on the planet. There is almost no precipitation here, and the altitude above sea level makes the Atacama climate not very favorable for travel.
Oases are scarce, salt lakes are not suitable for drinking (although beautiful). But this land has its secrets. So, in 2003, a strange mummy was found here (called the Atacama humanoid), and in 2010, a section of the desert was covered with snow.
In Atacama there is an interesting monument - the Hand of the Desert, at which tourists are sure to take pictures.
What a swamp!
Do you remember Vodyanoy’s song from the cartoon “The Flying Ship”? There were these words: “Eh, my life, little money, let it go to the swamp...”. But we are sure that if a fairy-tale character saw this swamp, he would instantly fall in love with it! The Pantanal is the largest swamp on Earth, located in Brazil and affecting the territory of Bolivia and Paraguay. The rich flora and fauna of this “swamp” (whose area exceeds 195 sq. km) have long been an object of study and a tourist attraction in South America.
Nature for horror films
The Amazon is not only the deepest river on the planet, its main feature remains the almost impenetrable jungle, full of dangerous predators, snakes and insects. In fact, the Amazon lowland is the largest rain forest, stretching from the Atlantic to the Andes and from the Brazilian plateau to the Guiana Highlands. There are so many legends associated with these protected places! It’s no wonder that low-budget horror adventure films (for example, a series about giant killer anacondas) take place on the shores of the Amazon.
Where the rainbow lives
Probably the most picturesque main attractions of South America are its largest waterfalls. The unique complex of Iguazu waterfalls and cascades is located in two countries at once - Argentina and Brazil, and in both of them there are national parks around the water pearl.
Another waterfall, located in Venezuela, is the highest in the world (1054 meters), was discovered in the early 1930s by the pilot Angel and therefore received the name Angel. In 1994, both this waterfall and the adjacent Canaima nature reserve were included in the UNESCO list.
Only for the brave!
The last South American attraction from our top is the dream of the most courageous and risky sailors. This is the extreme, southern tip of the continent, from it it is a stone's throw to Antarctica. We're talking about Cape Horn, home to penguins and sea animals that don't mind the cold.
Almost six centuries ago, Ferdinand Magellan sailed here, who discovered the Tierra del Fuego archipelago (the Horn is part of it). Look closely at the wave-cut landscape of this protected corner of the planet – it’s fantastically beautiful.
Christopher Columbus first announced the existence of South America. Sailing past Trinidad, he noticed that the water around was actually fresh. This indicated that somewhere nearby a huge river flowed into the ocean, which could only exist on the continent.
Over the next 500 years, colonialists discovered hundreds of stunning places: the ruins of ancient settlements, huge waterfalls and endless deserts. It was very difficult to get to them from old Europe. Three months of sailing across the ocean with pirates, then a walking expedition through the jungle with Indians. That's the case now. You board a plane and 12 hours later you land in South America.
Let's see where you should go first.
Lake Titicaca
Thanks to its unreal beauty and the color of the local population, this lake is perhaps the brightest tourist pearl of Latin America. Its mysterious water has a kind of magical power, because it is considered sacred by the Quechua Indians.
Titicaca serves as a natural border between Bolivia and Peru. In terms of water reserves, this is the largest freshwater body of water on the mainland. Its average depth is 151 meters. It is also the highest navigable lake on Earth. It is located at an altitude of 3821 meters above sea level. Well, probably every advanced fisherman dreams of catching trout here!
On the surface of the lake There are 41 islands, most of them inhabited. On its shores there are 2 tourist centers: the Bolivian Puerto Acosta and the Peruvian Puno. 180 local objects are considered cultural and historical masterpieces.
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Despite the fact that this area is quite cool, windy, and dry (albeit sunny) all year round, the lake constantly attracts guests from all over the world, and in large numbers.
Ciudad—Perdida
The city in the north of Colombia is an open-air monument of history. Founded around the 9th century. Accidentally discovered in the first half of the 70s of the last century. It fell into disrepair during the era of the Spanish conquests.
You can get into it along stone steps overgrown with vines leading to one of the peaks of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta massif. But first, you will have to cover 52 kilometers on foot with several river crossings, dangerous descents and ascents. An excursion to the attraction and back will cost $200 and will require sufficient physical fitness for mountain hiking.
For a long time, this territory was a combat zone during the civil war. Travel here became safe and regular only in 2005.
Perito Moreno Glacier
Argentines rightfully consider this glacier to be their main natural asset, along with the Pampas. It is located in the Argentine province of Santa Cruz. This natural wonder is located on an area of 150 km2 and is included in the Los Glaciares National Park. By the way, the glacier, unlike its brothers, continues to grow, while most of them are rapidly shrinking.
Perito Moreno ranks third in the world in terms of water reserves among glaciers. In the heat, you can see how multi-ton blocks break off from the walls and fly into the water.
Atacama Desert
This harsh desert is located in the northern part of Chile (Antofagasta region) and is considered the most dehydrated place on the planet. The super-arid landscape is an extensive system of salt marshes, canyons, highlands and sandy plains scattered across a region of 105 thousand km 2.
The atmospheric temperature in the desert is generally normal for habitation (-2 - +26 °C) if not for the fact that on average... 1 millimeter of precipitation falls here annually. Cloudless skies and phantasmagoric terrain make the South American desert an interesting tour destination. However, the best way to explore this deserted area is in a powerful SUV with a local guide.
The local landmark Valle de la Luna is located 15 kilometers from San Pedro de Atacama, where a number of observatories and research centers operate.
Rio de Janeiro
This wonderful city is the owner of the world's most popular Copacabana beach and the largest football stadium in America (after the Mexican Azteca) Maracana with 80 thousand seats.
In addition, in Rio, on Mount Corcovado, there is a giant statue of Christ - the most massive known sculpture of the Savior and a symbol of the metropolis. All this is located within the Tijuca National Park with an area of 20 km 2. It is an urban forest with mountain peaks, caves, and waterfalls.
Another symbol of Rio - Carnival. This is a spectacular festival of global scale, held annually 40 days before Catholic Easter and attended by 2 million spectators. The highlight of the program is the samba parade, where everyone performs as best they can.
True, there are some security problems now. A must-read from a tourist returning from a trip to Brazil.
Angel Falls
The tallest waterfall on the planet. Its height reaches 976 meters. He was lost in the inaccessible jungle in southeastern Venezuela. You can get to this extraordinary natural site with the assistance of indigenous aborigines. True, they charge quite a bit for their service...
The helicopter route to Angel is an even more expensive but impressive experience. An aerial flight provides a full panorama of the waterfall. In addition, there is no ground transportation here.
The waterfall is named after the American pilot James Angel, who reached it in 1933. During the tropical rainy season, the general flow is divided into two separate jets, and the sound of rushing water intensifies and is heard at a distance of 1 kilometer. It is typical that during periods of drought, spray falling from a height has time to evaporate into the air.
Galapagos Islands
The famous volcanic archipelago beckons, as does Easter Island, located in this part of the Pacific Ocean. These islands are literally lost on the edge of the earth, therefore, in a sense, isolated from civilization and have their own unique fauna and flora.
Among the strange animals are the Galapagos fur seal and turtle, marine iguana, great wingless cormorant, and Darwin's finch. The local turtle, which can weigh more than 4 quintals, is the largest animal on the islands and on Earth. British naturalist Charles Darwin visited the Galapagos back in 1835, and this visit turned out to be significant in the creation of his theory of the origin of species.
On the islands of Isabela, Fernandina, San Cristóbal and some others there are hotels that tourists can reach by boat.
Iguazu Falls
Parallel to this waterfall complex, which is formed by the river of the same name, there is a cordon between Argentina and Brazil. It is higher and wider than Niagara: water flow reaches 1756 m 3 /sec, the recorded maximum is 13 thousand m 3 /sec. This is a genuine natural water phenomenon, more than 2 kilometers wide, which is divided into 275 small but expressive pieces. Each of them stretches up to 70 meters in height. That is why the middle of the stream is called the “Devil's Throat”.
It is truly the tourist mecca of Latin America with 1.5-2 million guests every year. Very close to Iguazu – waterproof clothing for rent, observation decks and excursion routes. Not far from the facility there is an international airport, hotel and entertainment infrastructure, convenient access routes, and recreational facilities.
Salar de Uyuni
A salt marsh with this name exists in Bolivia. This is the largest salt lake in the world. The thickness of its salt shell is 2-20 meters.
According to unofficial estimates, Uyuni contains up to 10 billion tons of table salt. Because the salt marsh is completely flat, the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration uses it to calibrate spacecraft. In the spring, when it rains, a uniform layer of water forms on a vast flat surface. During this period, Uyuni becomes a huge mirror of natural origin. Sunsets and sunrises are especially spectacular in such natural conditions.
Machu Picchu
The legendary ruins of the Incan civilization are located high in the mountains of Peru. Machu Picchu is a mystical world, hidden from prying eyes by the peaks of the Andes and stuffed with stone sculptures, the remains of sanctuaries, palaces and underground passages. This historical ensemble arose in the 15th century, and fell into decay in the 16th, after the conquest of inland America by the Spaniards.
In 1983, UNESCO awarded the ancient Inca capital, which is based near the modern city of Cusco, World Heritage Site status. Massive granite blocks are the basis used to create a complex of religious buildings. Individual stone blocks weigh more than 50 tons, but the most amazing thing is that no cement materials were used in the construction of the temples. However, the construction details are adjusted with mathematical precision.
Hiking the Inca Trail is the best way to get to Machu Picchu. Typically, it takes 4-5 days to cover a distance of 40 kilometers.
Islands lost among the waters of the Pacific Ocean, the world-famous mysterious moai statues, incredibly beautiful colonial cities and religious monuments with rich decoration - these are just some of the unique attractions that visitors to South America can see. Some natural reserves and architectural monuments located on the continent have been recognized as World Heritage Sites; today these attractions are well known even to those who have never been to South America. There are unique objects to explore here for absolutely everyone; nature lovers will definitely love the national parks, and history buffs will love the ancient cities and archaeological areas.
Iguazu National Park was founded in 1934 and covers an area of more than 55,000 square meters. km. Every year, the park is visited by more than 1.5 million people, they come to admire the magnificent waterfalls, walk through ancient forests and fabulously beautiful mountainous areas. More than 2,000 species of plants grow on the territory of the reserve; it has become a habitat for 70 species of mammals, 40 species of reptiles and 400 species of birds. The main feature of Iguazu Park remains its beautiful waterfalls, of which there are more than 270 on its territory.
Today, near the most beautiful waterfalls, convenient bridges and observation decks are equipped for tourists, so natural attractions can be seen in all their glory. There are many fast-moving rivers in the park, rafting along which is also very popular among tourists, and many prefer to simply stroll through the most picturesque areas of the reserve on foot. Not long ago, a hotel for tourists was built on the territory of Iguazu Park, so everyone can stay longer in these picturesque places.
The main natural attraction of the reserve is a waterfall with the terrifying name “Devil’s Throat”, over which a rainbow forms every day. Jeep safaris are conducted around the reserve, during which you can see many rare representatives of the local fauna. Hiking is popular for those who enjoy bird watching, and the exotic forests are home to cute, colorful parrots, toucans and more exotic bird species found nowhere else in the world.
From Spanish, the name of the cave Cueva de las Manos can be translated as “cave of hands”; this cave is one of the most interesting in the world from a paleontological point of view. Researchers discovered many ancient rock paintings there, including numerous images of human hands. Researchers estimate that some of the cave paintings are more than 10,000 years old, indicating that the cave has been inhabited by people for thousands of years.
In the immediate vicinity of Cordoba there is a historical Jesuit quarter; a stroll through it will be interesting for those who like to explore historical sights. The quarter is a complex of preserved buildings that were erected by Jesuit missionaries. In the historical area, the building of the National University, which is one of the oldest in South America, has been preserved. In addition, you can see an old school building, several surviving residential buildings and an old church.
Fans of walking through historical places in Bolivia should definitely visit the ancient city of Sucre. Its main value is the numerous surviving monuments from colonial times, some of which were built in the first years after the city's founding. The official founding date of the city is November 30, 1538. It was originally called Chuquisaca, and received its current name in 1825. A significant part of the historical buildings that can be seen in the city today were built in the first half of the 17th century.
For those who are partial to natural attractions, a walk through the Noel Kempff Mercado National Park will give you a lot of impressions. It is located in the eastern part of Bolivia, on the very border with Brazil, the area of this park is slightly less than 16,000 square meters. km. Among the main features of the park is the diversity of landscapes; on its territory there are rocky areas with deep canyons, and spacious plains, and evergreen Amazonian forests.
Brazil also has an amazing historical city, which researchers and ordinary tourists come from all over the world to admire. The city of Ouro Preto is located in the state of Minas Gerais; it was once the prosperous capital of this state. Founded in 1711, Ouro Preto became the real center of the Brazilian gold rush. Gold seekers came here from all over the world; the number of luxurious palaces and mansions in the city increased every year, among which there are unique monuments in the Baroque style.
Located in the Brazilian city of Congonhas, the Bom Jesus do Congonhas church complex was built in the 18th century and is a striking architectural monument in the Baroque style. The snow-white church is distinguished by marvelous interiors; many original decorations have been preserved within its walls, including beautiful sculptural compositions with biblical motifs. The beautiful church was built according to the design of the famous architect Francisco Lima Cerquira, its construction was completely completed in 1773.
In the northeastern part of Brazil, the world-famous Serra da Capivara National Park is located, which is famous not only for its natural attractions, but also for its priceless rock art monuments. The first archaeologist to explore these amazing places was Niede Gidon, after his amazing discoveries the park was recognized as a World Heritage Site. The area of the Serra da Capivara park is more than 1,200 square meters. km, since the time of the first archaeological expeditions, its research has not stopped.
Among the cities of Venezuela, one of the most interesting is Santa Ana de Coro. Today the population of this ancient town is about 174,000 people, it is located on the very outskirts of the Paraguana Peninsula, on the shores of the Caribbean Sea. A small port town was founded here back in 1527; in a matter of years its scale increased tenfold, with new buildings appearing in the city every year.
In Colombia there is the world-famous archaeological park of San Agustin, which is visited not only by researchers from all over the world, but also by curious travelers. Here, archaeologists discovered the largest group of religious monuments in South America, which today can be seen by absolutely everyone. The sculptures discovered during excavations in the park were called “chinas”; as the researchers found out, they were made from volcanic rocks. Numerous sculptures depict people dressed in a variety of traditional clothes.
The islet of Malpelo, lost among the endless waters of the Pacific Ocean, is also a landmark of world significance. The rocky island is uninhabited; its length is about 1,850 meters and its width reaches 600 meters. In fact, the main interest is not the rocky island, but the surrounding waters, which are home to rare species of sharks, fish and other inhabitants of the deep sea. It was here that researchers were able to simultaneously see several rare species of sharks: silky, whale, frilled and hammerhead sharks, and a rare sand shark is also found in the vicinity of the island.
