South America: Peru's Culture and Landmarks

A group of geoglyphs; large figures etched into the Nazca Desert in Peru.

Civilizations in the region of Peru before the Inca Empire.

Peru's capital city, Lima, has 1860 miles of coastline bordering the Pacific Ocean.

The Green Coast, the steep cliffs along Lima's coast where the land inclines significantly (40-85 degrees).

A Peruvian religious procession honoring Jesus Christ, held in Lima in the first Saturday of October.

A desert area in southern Peru where the Nazca Lines are located.

A large empire that once covered over 1500 miles in the South American Andes.

Cultures in the Americas before the arrival of Europeans.

Cusco, Peru, was the center of Inca civilization and later became the hub of Christian evangelization after the Spanish conquest.

Many Cusco churches were built on top of Inca palaces and temples using red granite blocks, like the Basilica Cathedral de Cusco.

A region in Peru's Andean highlands where the Inca developed their military strength and agricultural techniques.

A town in the Sacred Valley, strategically located by the Inca to guard important agricultural areas.

A 15th-century Inca citadel, a significant administrative, political, and religious center of the Inca Empire, often considered a marvel of engineering.

Theories suggest Machu Picchu's construction utilized the fractured rocks from local fault lines, showcasing Inca ingenuity in utilizing natural resources.

A unique group of islands in Lake Titicaca constructed by the Uros people using totora reeds.

The Inca developed advanced farming methods to optimize their harvests in high-altitude environments.

Artificial islands built by the Uros people in Lake Titicaca, Peru, using interwoven totora reeds.

A type of aquatic plant used by the Uros people to create their floating islands.

The blending of pre-Columbian cultures and Spanish traditions in the town of Iruya, Argentina.

A Catholic figure venerated in Iruya, marking the start of the planting season.

A narrow valley in Argentina, the only way to reach the town of Iruya.

A colorful mountain range near Iruya, Argentina, displaying different shades of clay.

A vast salt flat in Argentina, one of the largest in the world.

A volcanic cone near the Salar de Arizaro, shaped like a pyramid.

A series of seawater springs in Argentina, known for their ancient microorganisms.

Microorganisms that thrive in extreme environments, resembling layered rocks. They are found in the Ojos de Mar springs.

A region in Argentina that is a crucial breeding ground for Southern right whales.

A whale species known for its lack of a dorsal fin and its unique V-shaped blow.

A region in Argentina with the largest continental colony of Magellanic penguins in the world.

A type of penguin that migrates to Punta Tombo to breed and raise their young.

A small dolphin species endemic to southern Argentina, known for its exceptional swimming skills.

A national park in Argentina with vast glaciers and a diverse ecosystem.