Photo Essay: 14 Natural Wonders of South America
1. Iguazu Falls, Argentina
Tucked in a corner at the borders of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, the 275 falls of Iguazu dwarf Niagara and have to be one of the most amazing sights anywhere.
Photo: Carlos Adampol
2. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
During the rainy season (~Jan-Mar), the world’s largest salt flat is covered in an inches-deep pool that perfectly reflects the sky, creating a truly alien landscape.
Photo: zaturno
3. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
This archipelago, 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, is famous for its high number of endemic species (which don’t include the green sea turtle, but it’s still damn cute) and its influence on Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection.
Photo: blichb
4. Atacama Desert, Chile
The world’s driest desert covers 40,000 square miles of northern Chile and includes coastal plains, high volcanoes, and geysers and hot springs.
Photo: magical-world
5. Amazon River
By volume, the Amazon is far and away the largest river on Earth. With hundreds of huge tributaries (such as the Rio Negro above), its drainage basin accounts for 40% of South America’s land area.
Photo: Zemlinki!
6. Angel Falls, Venezuela
Angel Falls is the world’s highest and certainly one of the most spectacular.
Photo: Da_Vinzy
7. Torres del Paine, Chile
Daggers of mountain peaks, glacial lakes, and guanaco define southern Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park.
Photo: doug88888
8. Colca Canyon, Peru
This canyon, located 100km out from Arequipa, is about twice as deep as the Grand Canyon and full of Andean condors.
Photo: gudi&cris
9. Lake Titicaca, Peru/Bolivia
The superlatives keep coming. This gigantic lake spilling over the Altiplano between Bolivia and Peru is the world’s highest navigable body of water.
Photo: soylentgreen23
10. Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina
Fed by the Southern Patagonian Ice Field (the third-largest reserve of fresh water in the world), the Perito Moreno Glacier is the thing to see in Argentine Patagonia. You can also trek it.
Photo: tiswango
11. Laguna Colorada, Bolivia
This shallow, algae-rich lagoon attracts plenty of flamingos and is a main stop on tours of Bolivia’s Southwest Circuit.
Photo: Carlos Adampol
12. Aconcagua, Argentina
The “Roof of the Americas,” rising up from the Andes between Argentina and Chile, is 6,962 meters (22,841 feet) tall.
Photo: machimon
13. Kaieteur Falls, Guyana
While not as high-profile as the other falls on this list, Kaieteur is still the world’s largest one-drop by volume.
Photo: sorenriise
14. Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Things get extreme at the “End of the World,” the continent’s southernmost tip. The island’s scrubby trees grow horizontally in the face of strong Antarctic winds.
Photo: reurinkjan
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Community Connection
Not all wonders of the natural world are equally appreciated. Check out our list of the Top 10 Disappearing Natural Wonders.
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15 Comments... join the discussion!
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Stunning imagery! I heard they’re thinking of renaming Angel Falls. Seem strange to rename something so iconic.
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Beautiful pictures! (number 3 is my dream);-)
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Striking photos! Especially inspiring as I’ll be spending 2010 in South America. I’ll study in Chile, which made the list twice. A trip to Torres del Paine would be a dream! So far I’ve only seen #1 — Iguazu Falls.
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Studying in Chile?! Nice!
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This is fabulous, Hal! I’m taking notes and painting myself proud, only missing 4, though I do have an unfair advantage, what with living here and all. The one I’m most unlikely to get to: the falls in Guyana. They’re on the list, but when the list is as long as your average Matadorian’s, there’s just so much to see. Next up? With any luck, Colca Canyon.
Super photos. Really great.
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Simply stunning photography. You’ve strengthened my desire to travel around South America tenfold! 2014 here I come!
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Beautiful shots! Thanks for posting them. Any links on how to get to each of these places? Think I only saw two or three…
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Matador’s published content on a lot of these places–though we’re always looking for more! Try searching for what you’re after by typing in the search box at the top right of the screen.
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oh my god, these pictures are exactly why I sooo want to go there.
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Beautiful pics, but you must include de 7 colour river in Colombia.
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I’d love to, Marcela–I just had trouble finding pics from Colombia for some reason. Do you know of one you could link to here?
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Wow!!! We really live in beautiful world.. Simply stunning pics!!
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OMG get photo!! They r soz cool!!1
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