World Heritage Sites in South America

The Sangay volcano is located within Sangay National Park in central Ecuador, which contains one of the world’s most complex ecological environments, including a rare combination of grasslands, rainforests, and other fragile habitats.

São Francisco Square in the town of São Cristovão is a historic plaza consisting of an open space surrounded by substantial early buildings. It is a well-preserved example of northeastern Brazil's Spanish colonial and Portuguese Franciscan architecture.

Serra da Capivara National Park, a World Heritage Site located in Brazil's Northeast Region, was created to protect the prehistoric artifacts and paintings found there. Over 300 archaeological sites have been found, mainly consisting of rock and wall paintings dating from 50,000 - 30,000 years ago.

The Serranía de Chiribiquete are isolated table mountains in the Amazon Region of Colombia at the confluence point of four biogeographical provinces. Chiribiquete National Park - "The Maloca of the Jaguar" is a World Heritage site with natural and cultural significance.

Nestled on the precipitous slopes of the Chilean Andes, Sewell is an abandoned mining town renowned as "The City of Stairs." This unique settlement, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, bears witness to a rich history and industrial legacy.

The site of the Cerrado Protected Areas includes the Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks, situated on the Brazilian central plateau in the State of Goias. Both parks help protect the Cerrado biome, one of the world's oldest and most diverse ecosystems.

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.

Nestled along the arid coastal regions of northern Chile, the Archaeological Sites of the Chinchorro Culture stand as a testament to one of the oldest and most remarkable pre-Columbian civilizations in the Americas. This unique culture, which thrived for over 5,000 years, has left an indelible mark on the region's rich archaeological heritage, shedding light on the resilience and ingenuity of the human spirit.

Machu Picchu is an impressive archaeological site in Peru, known as the "Lost City of the Incas," that has captivated the imagination of people worldwide for centuries. It's nestled amidst the towering peaks of the Andes Mountains and symbolizes the ancient Inca culture and architectural brilliance. The intricate stone structures and breathtaking natural beauty draw visitors worldwide to marvel at its historical and architectural wonders.

The Jesuit Block and Estancias of Córdoba stand as a powerful testament to the enduring influence of Jesuit missionaries in shaping South America's cultural, religious, and economic landscape. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this remarkable ensemble transcends its architectural and historical significance. It embodies a vast religious, political, economic, legal, and cultural system, leaving an indelible mark on the region's development.