South America is the wilder part of the Americas and a continent of superlatives. Stretching from Colombia in the north to the southern points of Argentina, South America has a rich history where African heritage, genuine indigenous culture and Eastern influence mingle with the fingerprints of Iberian colonizers. 

It is home to the world's biggest rainforest and the largest river by discharge (The Amazon), the highest mountain range outside Asia (the Andes), remote islands (Galapagos, Easter Island Fernando de Noronha), heavenly beaches, wide deserts (Atacama), icy landscapes (Patagonia & Tierra del Fuego), the world's tallest waterfall (Angel Falls in Venezuela) and one of the largest (Iguazu Falls), as well as several other breathtaking natural attractions.

Humans have left their mark on the continent too: from ancient ruins (Machu Picchu and other Inca cities; the Moai in Easter Island) and the oldest rock paintings in the Americas (at the Serra da Capivara) to world-class metropolises (São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Bogotá, Santiago, Lima and Rio de Janeiro), outstanding modern and European architecture (Brasilia, Buenos Aires), and charming cities built in the Andes (Caracas, Medellin, Quito, Santiago de Chile). 

- Wikivoyage