Traveling in South America

If you are contemplating a trip to South America get ready for a place of natural splendor and glory. South America has an area of 6,890,000 square miles and comprises almost 12% of the Earth's entire landmass. This isn't going to be one of those quick turnaround weekends. Take your vacation days and stack them. You'll need as much time as you can get to take in the all this continent has to offer. It is the fourth ranking continent in area (after Asia, Africa, and North America) and ranks fifth in population (after Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America).

No matter what time of year you choose to travel there, you can pack light, but bring your head cover because the tropical climate will have the sun beating down on you and sweating you out of your clothes. Make sure you also pack yourself comfortable hiking boots as there is an endless opportunity for nature hiking.

The South American continent includes many nations that border the Caribbean Sea which you'll want to include on your itinerary. You can start with Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana - also known as Caribbean South America. You can include Bolivia, Argentina, Chile and Brazil and if you have enough time, you don't want to miss a visit to Uruguay and Venezuela.

You'll fall head over heels with the splashing falls, predominant mountain ranges, and incredible lakes. The famous Angel Falls, located in the southeast of Venezuela, is the world's lowest waterjump, dropping 3212 feet down the Auyántepuí mesa. The most renowned of South America's incredible falls, it is said their magic is irresistible.

The Iguacu Falls is another locale you won't want to miss. It is located between Brazil and Argentina and separated by an island and a rocky cliff, rising 200 feet with the water merging into one majestic fall during the South America's "wet" season and then separating into two falls during their dry season making it one of nature's alluring sites.

Another must see is Peru's Lake Titaca. Lake Titaca is considered South America's largest lake. It is 56 kilometers wide and 174 feet deep, it's also the world's highest navigable lake, and an important transportation route connecting Bolivia and Peru. Also of note in Bolivia is Lake Poopo, and no tourist should miss the Nahuel Huapi and the Argentino.

Venezuela has its own extraordinary lakes. One is the Valencia, and the other is the famous Orinoco River which stretches to more than 2560 kilometers, and is the region's longest river.

Whip out those hiking boots you packed earlier and get ready for the incredible Andes Mountains. They spread about 7200 kilometers, which ranks them among the world's longest mountain ranges. While you're at it, take time to visit the Cerro Aconcagua in Argentina, located in the Argentine province of Mendoza. The western hemisphere has no higher mountain than the Aconcagua, which is an intimidating 22,834 feet high.

South America is home to many interesting and unique species of animals including the llama, anaconda, piranha, jaguar, vicuña, and tapir. Llamas, run in packs and can be found on antiplano (plateaus) that stretch across Bolivia to Peru. Llamas provide milk, wool and even meat.

The tapir, found in the grassy places and forests in South America (Central America and Asia, as well) are nocturnal creatures with short little legs and a flexible snout they use to grab leaves and vegetations to eat. Their species are very nearly extinct.