LATIN AMERICA
The South American continent is the lower landmass of what has been coiled formerly as the New World. Almost all of the countries geopolitically affiliated sit on what is called the South American Plate. This is the 4th largest continent in the world in terms of area, and 5th in the world in population. Christopher Columbus had initially thought the America to be the East Indies, hence the term Indians or Indios for Native American populations in the north and south. The continent has an area of about 17,840,000 km2 that covers nearly 3.5% of the earth’s surface with the capacity for its current 400 million inhabitants. Besides the panorama, the people and colours are vibrant with the kiss of a higher and brighter sun.
However, it isn’t all sun here. Whatever the bliss, hot or cold, high and low, South America has got it and so will you. On a cultural note, South America is on a high versus its northern counterpart with rich and vibrant history and empires of the bygone era that are contemporaneous with the early civilizations of Egypt. The European colonial period added to the sophistication and grandeur of the history, society, and architecture that the world enjoys now. The continent of the “most-est”, South America took about everything of God’s creations in the grandest proportions. Although, the region’s politics has gotten vulnerable and troublesome, this has in no way been entirely pernicious to the tourist industry.
Politics
The political situation has not always been this mad, distinctively during pre-colonial times, but crazy too in its own little, different way. South America like the North is of advanced indigenous civilizations, the earliest known in this region to be the Valdivia, on the southwest coast of Ecuador. Since then, empires as the Norte Chico of Peru blossomed bringing with it architecture like the pyramids of the period as the Ancient Egyptians. Then, confederations of ayllus (clans) of goldsmiths and farmers were fashioned and coexisted for networking and free trade. The Incas (1438-1533) that we know so well today were a highly advanced and inimitable civilization with their achievements in the leg of arts and architecture, road systems, war and weaponry, and agriculture.
The system is not so different to the political systems of our time. Before, there were great kings and independent clans who also conquer, break old bonds, and make new ties for alliances or plain benefit. Now, many countries within the continent espouse socialist leaders, all the while, still embracing free market policies. As for the goal of an economically and politically integrated continent, the Union of South American Nations was founded, which was modelled after the European Union. By and large, democracy is in South American polities a sparse concept, where basic liberties (freedom of speech and assembly, suffrage, and freedom of association) are pendant and shaky when they threaten the ruling class or person.
Climate
Natural hazards and disasters occur on the all vast spaces and corners of the earth. On the other hand, the climate has been anything but shaky, and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has not been all that busy with South America of late. Predominantly, it is hot and wet in these parts, two words that sound good especially on a girl. A hot wet climate is characteristic of the Amazon River Basin, hence its great suitability for the growth of rainforests. However, with the continent’s large size, varied weather conditions cover the regions. The South American climate also is dependent and relative to factors as ocean currents, winds, and altitude.
In the Andes Mountain Range, the temperatures remain low and cold throughout the year, while the desert regions of Chile are the driest. Cold currents are unable to hold much moisture. So, the coasts of Peru and Northern Chile are dry because of the cold Peru Current. The Westerly Winds carry moisture to the western parts of the Andes which credits the rainfall on this part and dryness on the east. The hottest temperature that has been recorded in South America was up to 110°F in Gran Chaco, Argentina. The large natural events such as the major volcanic eruption of Cerro Hudson Volcano in Chile are not the most destructive, while a much smaller eruption like that of Nevado del Ruiz in Colombia was a killer…of 23,000.
Culture
The South Americans are movers and shakers of culture from the times that passed to this very moment. A rich and vibrant pre-colonial culture has been preserved impeccably, and ripened with the European panache and joie de vivre. Catholic beliefs are predominant influences on the culture of the continent owing to the maritime powers of the 16th century, Spain and Portugal. Just like what took place in the Northern America, European infectious diseases had devastated the native population who had no immunity against such diseases. Then, Latin America glints with the verve of African culture when waves of African slaves were transported to do replace and do labour. The demographic of Amerindians, Whites, Blacks, Mestizos and Mulattos represent this culture fusion.
By and large, South America nowadays takes after the heavy cultural influences of Europe and the United States, but evolved and individualistic either way. Latin music, we reckon and recognize as a distinctive genre of music, never confused with Spanish or Portuguese-style, albeit some factors can be made out. The beauty pageant culture of Venezuela, Peru, and Mexico evolved from European event of selection of beauty or muses for religious parades. The global phenomenon the telenovela is one of the most fashionable television genres in the world, with Latin America at its core. The industry was adopted by Cuba from French serialized novel “feuilleton” and evolved with media from paper, to sound waves, to television.
Language
Although, now, the telenovela is a worldwide phenomenon, the Latin American selection remains raw and authentic. It could be the muy caliente Latinas, or it could be the sexy Spanish talk. Generally, the languages spoken are under 4 classifications, as with most colonized countries: the native languages, the colonial languages, the immigrant languages, and the creoles or pidgins (Cocoliche in Argentina). Spanish and Portuguese are the predominant colonial langue and, also, the widely spoken languages overall, while there is also Dutch in Suriname, French in French Guiana, and English in Falkland Islands and Guyana. In most of South America, English, French, German and Italian are regularly taught languages. Thus, bilinguals are typical, to say the least, whereas polyglots are sizeable.
Customs
But one has not started without the South American gastronomic experience. This by no means indicate a standard cuisine, as there is something special in each country, each town, but surely, the land is full of love for the memorable and intense culinary flavours and traditions that will change your taste forever. Going there and eating burritos and tacos is tantamount to saying all Latinos are sex-crazed. Well, they mostly are, passionate and romantic more aptly, but, there are layers of culture and identity to each local, like the cuisine. As a consequence of cultural impact, the etiquette and manners in ensued in Europe are mostly practiced in South America as well. Unlike the English, the South Americans are a casual fuss-not bunch with live and loud conversations, expressions and gestures.
Catholicism drives almost entirely the current and sometimes conservative traditions and practices of the people like same-sex room sharing (for travellers). In most places, it’s better to dress modestly to ward off unsolicited masculine attention, and with incidences of rape no sensible lady would walk at night alone. Besides bikinis, some natives frown upon wearing their traditional clothes and assume this as a sign of poking fun. As quintessentially expressive people, appreciation of service ought to be expressed by tipping especially when such great servers are living on minimum wages. On being offensive, it’s not what you do or say, it’s really how you do or say it. The locals are more tolerant to tourists, albeit, who doesn’t want to impress new friends? Like the delightful South American cuisines, the people are keen on tradition, at the same time evolutionary.
Main Attractions
But, what’s not customary is taking photos of military installations and government buildings, which is illegal in many parts of South America. Although, with the most extraordinary sights on the planet, why photograph those. Endowed with stark landscapes, this is more than certain the wilder of the two Americas, and the Amazon as the emblem of all that is wild, the big, and the real. A superbly bio-diverse continent, South America is home to a mega- range of plant and animal species including the slithering anaconda and speeding jaguar, significantly in the Amazon rainforests of Brazil where there’s a mammoth proportion of the world’s species.
Brazil, the largest country in area and population, is one of four regions of South America including the Andean States, the Guianas, and the Southern Cone, and is a celebrated tourist destination known for beach, sun, and partying on end. Wide deserts of Atacama (Chile), the frosted vastness of Patagonia (Chile) and the overwhelming Iguaçu Falls where 6.5 million litres of water cascade the falls per second, are stirring visions of awesomeness…only in South America. The world’s highest waterfalls, Angel Falls in Venezuela, the largest river by volume, the Amazon River, and the longest mountain range, the Andes are among many of the continent’s colossal allures. The names alone are exotic and ethereal at the same time.
Besides the nature wonders, man-made are of great competition in the realm of tourism, like the mystical lines of Nazca, Peru which don’t really pass for spaceship landing site given the supple land. The Ancient civilizations of Machu Picchu (Peru), the ruins, and the breathtaking mud city get an A+ for effort. There are a whole lot of other Inca cities and the metropolises of São Paolo, Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Lima, Rio de Janeiro, and Caracas world-class, including Argentina’s Bariloche that is reminiscent of the Swiss Alps and the dear old quaint Cartagena in Colombia. Great beaches, splendid diving, and nonstop partying, if that’s what you’re into, the Galapagos Island in Ecuador is your trip. The treasures of South America are endless, while the people are the warmest. Soak up some of local atmosphere while you’re at it, maybe the foodie or surfer communities.
Costs
Never leave out the Guianas, although not the most budget-friendly. In South America, the price bracket is just as diverse. Albeit, travelling around the continent is still more efficient economy-wise than Europe. Essentially, there are price zones in South America: the especially expensive, middle-cost, and dirt cheap. At the top are the prices in Venezuela and the Guianas (French Guiana and Guyana) with travel costs parallel to France. For those with a little more to spare, the middle-cost travel in the south including countries of Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay are expensive but not as much as European countries. The bottom tier is for Andean countries like Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia with competitive prices and a budget infrastructure for independent travellers.
Generally, for the budget zone, half of a day’s travel budget for Europe will do, but the destinations are as good or even greater. At best, a daily budget of $30-$40 per individual is able to get through the basic needs of food, accommodation, transportation and communication. Hostels and hotels range prices from $8-$20 a night, public rides range from $1-$3 (for a 5-6-hour journey), and food $5 at most. But even at the most expensive places in South America, there are ways. The Galapagos Islands for instance is one expensive location but fascinating nonetheless. Customizing travel is one. Plan your itinerary and ride public transports or rent your own. Costs must not put travellers off from going anywhere.
Safety
South America must have been created for travel. The main attractions are just super awesome, right? There’s everything and anything! In South America, off-the-beaten-path adventures are part of the experience that could have good and bad outcomes if not done right and with caution. So, about natural hazards and disasters in South America like earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, typhoons, and flash floods, they are ubiquitous…they come and go. Not only that, there are also predators that call South America home, hence the tag “Wild South America”. Transportation safety would be a vital angle for safety simply because accidents on air and land happen more a lot more than in North America or Europe due to poorly maintained fleet, and not bad weather.
Also pertaining to people, some locals do prey on the unknowing tourist. Avoid too crowded areas such as beaches, city centres, and tourist attractions –the pickpocket’s favourite places. Remember: the less conspicuous, the less danger. Unfortunately, cab drivers and shop owners will try to rip you off if you let them. Note the customs and traditions as well from eating to talking so you know what to expect from them. Female travellers are bound to get more attention from male locals than the normal, so GUARD ON! South Americans are friendly in nature, making it tricky when a local is being too nice. More importantly, be well-informed about the current state of things like politics, economy, and weather such as the periodic civil unrest or an upcoming seismic activity in order to have a good idea about the overall safety.
Josh Boorman
Editor-in-chief
Backpacking Addictz
Twitter: @backpackaddictz
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