Cities & Towns in South America

Cradled in southeastern Peru within the Urubamba Valley of the Andes Mountains at an impressive altitude of 3,400 meters above sea level, Cusco is a captivating testament to the intersection of history and modernity. The capital of the Inca Empire from the 13th century until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century and the present-day capital of the Cusco Region and Province, this World Heritage City offers a unique journey through time and culture.

The picturesque town of Iruya, in northwestern Argentina, is known for its geographical beauty. It is situated along the Iruya River at an elevation of 9,120 ft and nestled within a dramatic mountainous Altiplano landscape.

Maras is a small town in the Cusco Region of Peru. Salineras de Maras, which date to pre-Incan times, are salt-evaporation ponds in the form of stepped terraces down a canyon that descends to the Rio Vilcanota and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Stanley, formerly known as Port Stanley, is the capital of the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas). Founded in 1843, the town is located on the island of East Falkland. Before the construction of the Panama Canal, Stanley was a significant repair stop for boats traveling through the Straits of Magellan.

Potosí, Bolivia, is situated in the Andes and is renowned for its colonial history. The city is a live museum of the silver mining industry, which once brought immense wealth and historical significance to the region. Potosí's history is closely intertwined with the discovery of the Cerro Rico silver deposit in 1545. This discovery transformed the city into one of the largest and wealthiest urban centers in the Americas during the Spanish colonial period.

Nestled within the rugged embrace of the Peruvian Andes lies a realm of captivating beauty and profound historical significance—the Urubamba Valley, also known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This enchanting landscape is a testament to the enduring legacy of ancient civilizations that once flourished amidst its verdant expanse. Carved over millennia by the relentless forces of nature, the valley's rugged contours and fertile plains form a mesmerizing collage of geographical wonders.

Zaruma, a town in southern Ecuador, is known for its republic-era architecture, gold mines, culture, and traditions and for having been founded by Spanish explorer Alonso de Mercadillo. The town is, more recently, becoming known for its coffee, gastronomy, and art.