By Ayngelina Brogan
South America Travel Expert, about.com
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Every continent in the world has some spectacular natural sights, and
South America is no different, with many of the beautiful sights
awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status for their amazing beauty.
Whether you are exploring in the deep forests at the heart of the
continent or along the high mountain range of the Andes, there are some
amazing natural wonders to see, and all are sites that will give you
some fantastic memories. If you are planning a visit to South America,
then these are all sites worth including on your itinerary.
Iguazu Falls
These
huge waterfalls are located on the border between Paraguay, Argentina
and Brazil, and have a great width that allows you to have an amazing
panorama of the waterfalls. The sheer volume of water is impressive, and
seeing the plume of spray rising above the falls is also very
impressive. From the Argentine side there is a small train that can take
you to the Devil's Throat, a viewpoint where you can see the falls on
three sides all around you for the most spectacular view of all.
Atacama Desert
This
high altitude desert is almost six hundred miles in length, and is one
of the most otherworldly landscapes that you can see without leaving the
earth. Commonly known for being the driest place in the world, there
are some amazing sights such as the Valley of the Moon, named because of
its similarity with the lunar landscapes, while there are some patches
of life, such as the shallow lagoons where you can spot Andean
flamingos.
Amazon Rainforest
This huge
forest covers much of the central portion of South America, and it is
named after the Amazon River which flows through the huge forest. While
visits to the rainforest are usually done with guides because of the
safety aspect,the stunning range of animal species that can be spotted
in the forest is remarkable, while taking a trip along the Amazon is a
once in a lifetime experience.
Tierra Del Fuego[post_ads_2]
A
remarkable landscape that is found at the southern tip of the
continent, the Tierra del Fuego is an archipelago of islands that is
divided between Argentina and Chile. Amazing snow capped mountain ranges
provide the backdrop, while some of the islands have forests where the
trees are almost entirely horizontal due to the fierce winds that sweep
the islands, while it is also a great spot for spotting animals such as
sea lions and whales.
Galapagos Islands
Although
they lie several hundred miles off the west coast of the continent, the
Galapagos Islands are a part of Ecuador, and their amazing biodiversity
has helped a tourist industry grow in the area. From spotting animals
such as the Galapagos Tortoise and the Blue Footed Booby, through to
discovering remote beaches and stunning scuba diving sites, this is
truly an amazing destination like nowhere else in the world.
Salar de Uyuni
This
is the largest salt flat in the world, and is located high in the Andes
at over 3,600 meters above sea level. While they are amazing in the
dry, it is after a period of rain when the flats really are at their
best, and the thin film of water on the flats reflects the sky to make
for amazing scenes and some fantastic photography opportunities. At the
heart of the flats there is a small island, where you will find a few
basic facilities, and usually several 4x4 vehicles that are exploring
the flats.
Kaieteur Falls
Located in the
small nation of Guyana, these falls are truly spectacular, but are
rarely seen by visitors simply because they are so remote. These falls
have the largest single drop in the world at over 200 meters, and the
spray is sent high into the air and over the lush green forest around
the falls. Although opportunities to visit are rare, this is another
sight that is wonderful to see.
