South America

Potosí is the example par excellence of a major silver mine of the modern era, reputed to be the world’s largest industrial complex in the 16th century. A small pre-Hispanic-period hamlet perched in the Bolivian Andes, Potosí became an "Imperial City" following the visit of Francisco de Toledo in 1572.

Embedded within a dramatic landscape at the meeting point between the Peruvian Andes and the Amazon Basin, the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu is among the greatest artistic, architectural and land use achievements anywhere as well as the most significant tangible legacy of the Inca civilization.

The Central Amazon Conservation Complex and Biosphere Reserve makes up the largest protected area in the Amazon Basin and as the core area of the Central Amazon Ecological Corridor, is one of the planet’s richest regions in terms of biodiversity. The majority of the ecosystems recorded in the Amazon are found here.

Rapa Nui, the indigenous name of Easter Island, bears witness to a unique cultural phenomenon. A society of Polynesian origin established an original tradition of monumental sculpture and erected enormous stone figures known as moai, which created an unrivaled cultural landscape that continues to fascinate people throughout the world.

Lomas de Lachay National Reserve is a natural reserve in the desert foothills of Peru where moisture from coastal mists has created a unique micro-environment of dwarf forest called Lomas which conceals a plethora of small animals and birds.

Los Glaciares National Park is an area of exceptional natural beauty, with rugged, towering mountains and numerous glacial lakes. At its farthest end, three glaciers meet to dump their effluvia into the milky grey glacial water, launching massive igloo icebergs into the lake with thunderous splashes.