Category: South America & Antartica

Venezuela is a gloriously beautiful country, and with almost 2000 miles of coastline, mountains, and jungle, there is something for everyone. Sites like Angel Falls, the world’s highest waterfall, and Lake Maracaibo, South America’s largest lake, ensure that you won’t soon forget Venezuela’s natural beauty. This is a country of extremes–just check out the giant anaconda for proof; it’s the world’s longest snake, capable of devouring a 100-pound tapir, or even a human, in a single meal.

Traveling in Venezuela
Venezuela’s government is in a state of disarray after the recent ouster, then quick reinstatement, of President Hugo Chavez. The situation in Venezuela continues to be unstable, and growing guerilla violence along the Columbian border only makes things worse. The United States, among other countries, has issued warnings to its nationals who plan to travel in Venezuela: it can be risky, and it’s best to contact your embassy for information and use caution if you decide to go.

Weather in Venezuela
The country’s climate is mostly tropical, temperatures range between the low 60’s and 90-degree range, depending on where you are. The verano, or summer dry season, lasts from December to April, and the invierno, or winter wet season, is from May through November. The dry season is the best time to travel in Venezuela, especially if you are planning outdoor activities such as hiking or beach activities along the Caribbean coast. Weather in the Amazon rainforest is, as expected, uniformly wet with no distinct seasons. Any excursions into the rainforest or on other major treks demand an experienced guide and familiarity with the environment (not to mention a sharp machete to clear your trail).

Venezuela Information
Population:
24,000,000 (est.1994)
Government:
Federal Republic
Square Miles:
355,700 sq mi (912,050 sq km)
Capitol:
Caracas (pop 4,608,934)
Official Language:
Spanish
People:
67% mestizo, 21% European descent, 10% African descent, 2% indigenous.
Religion:
96% Roman Catholic, 2% Protestant
Major products/industries:
Petroleum, iron ore, cereals, fruit, sugar and coffee
Health risks:
Cholera, dengue fever, hepatitis, malaria, yellow fever

Best known for the war that was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the British, this colony of Britain is still a lonely outpost of only about 4000 inhabitants, mainly consisting of British military personnel. The residents of the Falkland Islands are typically decended from the British, and culture there–while unique in many ways–is, itself, British through and through.

The Falkland Islands were uninhabited until the late 17th century, when the Europeans stumbled upon them during an exploration of the southern Atlantic. In 1690 a British expedition landed at the Falklands and claimed them for the crown. They named the sound between the two main islands after British naval officer, Viscount Falkland; later the name was applied to the entire island group.

The first official settlement came in the mid-1700s, when the French set up camp, but they soon turned over their claim to Spain. Since that time, the Falklands have seen a great deal of territorial conflict–first between Spain and Britain, and then between Britain and Argentina. In 1833 the United Kingdom established a military garrison on the Falklands, effectively snubbing the Spanish claim to ownership, and in April of 1982, Argentina invaded the islands, sparking brutal violence between Britain and Argentina that ended in British victory just a few months later.

Initially sustained by agriculture (mostly sheep farming), fishing currently accounts for the largest contribution to the Falkland Islands’ economy–including the sale of fishing licenses to foreign trawlers and exporting vast quantities of squid. Other contributing industries include export of wool to the U.K., coin and stamp production, offshore oil exploration, and limited dairy production and crops to sustain the islands’ population through the winters. The Falklands are self-sufficiant except for the military, which is provided by the British and, itself, makes a large contribution to the local economy.

Traveling in Falkland Islands
The only way to get to the Falklands is by air. There are biweekly civilian flights from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, England. You can also fly there from Santiago or Punta Arenas in Chile. Visa requirements are typically the same as those for entering the U.K. Citizens of the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are generally allowed to stay six months without a visa.

Once in the Falklands there are really only two ways to travel around to the different parts. The first is on the Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS), which flies on demand to grass airstrips throughout the islands. There are also boats for day trips that can be chartered throughout the Falklands. You could also rent a car, but remember to drive on the left.

Tourism continues to increase in the Falklands, with an estimated 30,000 visitors in 2001. Since the local population is tiny, and festivals on the Falklands are of a different breed than elsewhere in the world (the most spectacular of which are the annual “sports meetings” held throughout the summertime, which include horse racing, bull riding, and sheepdog trials), people traveling to these islands usually do so to check out the wildlife. Though they are also the wettest months in the region, December through January tends to be the best time to view the islands’ migratory birds and marine mammals. For anglers, sea trout season runs from September through April. The islands’ “high season” last from October until April–although, that doesn’t say very much, considering the dearth of tourists.

Weather in Falkland Islands
October through March is the rainy season with the wettest months being December and January. However, it rains fairly steadily throughout the year, so be prepared. Between May and September is the Southern Hemispheric winter, and not a good time to visit the Falklands.

Falkland Islands Information:
Population:
2805 permanent residents, plus 2000 British military personnel
Government:
Colony of the United Kingdom
Square Miles:
4700 sq mi (12,170 sq km)
Capitol:
Stanley (pop 1750)
Official Language:
English
People:
British
Religion:
Anglican, primarily
Major products/industries:
Fishing, wool processing, offshore oil exploration

High on the itinerary of any traveler to South America is Peru, the third largest country in the continent. Peru is the home to several ancient Andean civilizations — most notably the Incas, who ruled until the Spanish invasion in 1533.

Even at the simplest cultural level, it’s an inspiring country — few places captures the imagination more than the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu; but then so do any of the colonial cities making it a land equally as influenced by indigenous people as by the succeeding invaders.

The delightful part of Peru is that the country is populist but also untouched. By being on the “gringo trail”, a traveller will at times be over-immersed with fellow tourists. The ancient capital of Cusco can be a circus amid its beauty — yet the beaten track isn’t too far away — there is even a less-well-known known Inca ruin in Keulap — the so-called Machu Picchu of the north. Equally, the north eastern jungle towns, is perfect for the off-track traveler –while the large jungle town of Iquitos can be accessed by plane as well as boat, there are other settlements where boat is the only option. The mountains offer hiking and rock climbing in abundance, allowing you to go for days and meet no one but locals. Peru also hosts the two deepest canyons in the world, both twice as deep as the Grand Canyon and favoured spots to witness the flight of the condor. In Peru, it’s still possible to feel as if you are in a world still inhabited by Incas.

Traveling in Peru
Bus is the most successful way to travel in Peru — comfortable and inexpensive; you’ll be surprised at the quality of the buses. But be warned, it can vary. Due to the size of the country, journeys can go over the 20 hour mark, so night buses are common and sometimes the only choice, although it’s not recommended to travel at night. Occurrences of thieves taking off with your possessions as you sleep and tales of snoozing bus drivers can make night travelling less appealing. Having said that, bus allows you to take in the superb scenery Peru has on offer, and with several bus companies usually setting off at similar times, prices are always negotiable.

Trains are less common, but when found, worthy as they tend to be slow mountain trains, allowing time to soak in the view without risk of falling into mountain ravines. Internal air travel is an excellent option, and a good investment, especially when weighing up the cheapness of the flight compared to the toll of bus travel!

Weather in Peru
As with neighbouring Ecuador and Bolivia; Peru is subject to the three distinct regions, and the climates that come with them — the jungle, the mountains and the desert. More so than any other South American nation, the Peruvians define themselves by region.

Along with these regions, Peruvian weather varies according to season, which is either wet or dry. Wet season runs from January to April and dry season from June to November. Still this varies, so an unofficial guide for travelling in Peru is to rely on layers with the top coat being waterproof. The mountains tend to be cold, the jungle hot and humid. The coast varies and can experience dense fog rolling off the Pacific. Equally some parts miss rain completely, so much so that drizzle in Lima makes headlines. Don’t underestimate the risk of the sun at altitude, without sunscreen you’re toast.

Peru Information:
Population:
27,500,000
Government:
Constitutional Republic
Square Miles:
496,000 square miles (1.28 million sq km)
Capitol:
Caracas (pop 4,608,934)
Official Language:
Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara, and a large number of minor Amazonian languages
People:
Amerindian 45%, mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 37%, white 15%, black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3%
Religion:
Roman Catholic 90%
Major products/industries:
petroleum, fishing, textiles, clothing

Technically part of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands are so unique, we thought they deserved a page of their own. Situated roughly 600 miles west of Ecuador, these islands were discovered in 1535 by the Spanish, and later claimed by Ecuador in 1832. But the first visitors to the Galapagos–the fauna that’s protected there today–arrived millions of years before.

The archipelago is made up of 13 major islands, 8 smaller islands, and 40 islets. Man’s history in the Galapagos is an interesting one. The earliest human residents were pirates, followed by whalers, who found they could gather food and water there on the long journeys across the Pacific. Made famous by the English naturalist Charles Darwin in the mid-1800s, who’s examination of local wildlife contributed to his famous theory of natural selection, the Galapagos eventually became the site of the Darwin Station, a research organization dedicated to understanding and protecting the Galapagos environment.

The islands became Ecuador’s first national park, and were declared a World Heritage site in 1978.

Wildlife in the Galapagos
The Galapagos Islands are most famous for their amazing wildlife. Mostly sheltered from the evolutionary forces that have helped to shape the rest of the world (namely the influence of man), the creatures of the Galapagos have evolved some very unique traits, helping them survive in their own different environment. Most famous are the Galapagos tortoise, the terrestrial and marine inguanas, lava lizards, and sea turtles. There are also a number of different types of dolphin in the seas around the islands, as well as whales, sea lions, and a wide variety of crustaceans.

The Galapagos are a birder’s paradise, offering sightings of such otherworldly species as the blue- and red-footed, and masked boobie; the many types of Darwin’s finches; and the unusual Galapagos penguins–the northernmost branch of the species.

Traveling in the Galapagos
Most people who visit the Galapagos do so via cruise ship, which they board once they arrive on the islands. There are many flights that will take you, first internationally, to Quito or Guayaquil on the mainland, then to one of the two island airports in the Galapagos.

In terms of comfort and accomodations, the most important aspect of touring the islands is the cruise you book. Do your research and be sure to find one of acceptable price, comfort, and one that offers the various activities you’re most interested in.

Both land and sea activities are popular on the Galapagos. Many people like to snorkel with seals, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, and other aquatic life. Birders have some of the most exciting opportunities to see species not found anywhere else on earth. And hikes and walks are often full of wildlife spotting, as well as beautiful landscapes and flora.

Weather in the Galapagos
Much of the year the temperatures stay cool [typically around 20¡C (68¡F)]. If you plan on snorkeling, the warmer rainy season, from January to April, is the best time. El Ni–o hits hard about one winter every decade, making for very unpleasant and inconvenient travel conditions.

The high season in the Gal‡pagos tends to be mid-December through January and June to August, when most of the vacationing foreign visitors arrive.

Galapagos Islands (Archipelago de Colón) Information:
Population:
12,500 (est.)
Square Miles:
4,897 sq. miles (7,880 sq. km)
Capitol:
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno (pop 2,800)
Official Language:
Spanish (English used widely)
Religion:
Catholic, others
Major products/industries:
Tourism