South America

Bordered by the Pacific to the east and the Atlantic to the west, South America is home to the Amazon and the Andes, the world‘s longest river and mountain chains.

Argentina

Lying between the Andes and Atlantic Ocean, this land of tropical rainforests, beaches, snow-covered mountains and Patagonia (big foot) contains unique wildlife. The far south (near the South Pole) is home to whales, penguins and migrating seabirds.

Bolivia

Famed for its beautiful Inca people playing panpipes. Here you can find sloth, spectacled bear, llama, alpaca, camel, chinchilla, tree lizard, capybara (a large herbivorous rodent), blue morpho butterfly and Andean condor.

Brazil

This large country houses most of the Amazon River Basin, which is home to one third of all the world’s wildlife, including beautiful pink river dolphins. There are also beautiful beaches and the world‘s largest wetlands. Eco-friendly Curitaba city diverts flood waters to create new lakes, and there is 50m2 of green space per resident.

Chile

This long narrow country contains the Atacama Desert, the driest place on earth. But wild flamingos here have glands to expel the salty water, so live on the few lakes. The people of Vilcabambo regularly live to 100, and offshore lie the mysterious statues of Easter Island.

Colombia

This contains a little of the Caribbean, Andes, Pacific Coast, Amazon and Orinoco river. The national bird is the Andean Condor, which can fly up to 300km in one day. Columbia contains more species of birds than anywhere on earth. The local Cumba dance involves people dancing in a circle, holding a lit candle in their hands.

Ecuador

This is the smallest country in the Andes, and includes the Amazon and Inca ruins. Locals make the ‘panama hat’ from plaited toquilla straw. Offshore lie the Galapagos Islands – home to giant tortoises.

Falkland Islands

These islands lie 400 miles off the tip of Argentina. They are home to soaring albatross, elephant seal, walrus, penguin and orca (killer whale). They are also home to the native green spider.

French Guiana

 

This is small coastal strip of land containing dense rainforest and mountains, near the Brazilian border. It is known for its hot pepper, Cayenne.

 

Guyana

This Caribbean-like nation is a tropical paradise. It contains 200 types of birds including the blood-coloured woodpecker, crimson fruit crow and rufus-winged ground cuckoo. St Georges Cathedral is one of the tallest wooden churches in South America.

Paraguay

In the heart of Central America, this is a land of steamy subtropical rainforests, packed with butterflies. The locals still speak the native Guarani language. Often called ‘South America’s forgotten corner’, this is packed with amazing wildlife.

Peru

Known to most western children as the home of Paddington Bear ‘from darkest Peru’, he was inspired by the spectacled bear – the only bear residing in South America. Also find condor, puma, primate, serpent and one in every five of the world’s butterflies. Also here is the magical city of Machu Picchu, one of the seven wonders of the world.

Suriname

 

This tropical paradise is between the Caribbean and South America. It is called ‘the beating heat of the Amazon’ with its rainforests and jungles, and is influenced by many cultures.

 

Uruguay

 

Sharing its land border with Brazil, this mild country is the home of doves: eared, sharp-shinned and tiger-heron. Also popular here are sea lions and golden dorado fish.

 

Venezuela

On the River Orinoco, this country of wetlands, cloud forests and the world’s highest waterfalls (Angel Falls) is rich with wildlife: river dolphin, anaconda, armadillo, jaguar, porcupine, red howler monkey, tapir, anteater, sloth, manatee, coastal crocodile, giant river otter, anteater, giant river otter and spectacled bear.