Examples of cities and their sights in Latin America. Must-See Latin American Cities! Latin America landmarks

Latin America is a part of the planet that has always attracted tourists with its complicated history, exotic and mysterious. Holidays in Latin America are invariably rich in unforgettable experience thanks to the most interesting nature and numerous antiquities. Natural sights of Latin can rightly be called the record holders of the planet.

Unique sights of Latin America

It is here that the Andes are located - the longest mountain system of the Earth, Cotopaxi - the largest active volcano, Angel is the highest waterfall in the world. Titicaca is the most large lake and, of course, the longest river in the entire planet, the Amazon River. Photos of landmarks of countries Latin America:

Latin America - what to see

Man-made sights of Latin America are almost as important as natural ones. The centuries-old Mayan pyramids and the city are located on the territory of modern Mexico, the mention of which is found in the 5th century. BC.

The plateau with pictures in Peru, as well as the ancient city of Machu Picchu, located on its territory, amaze with its grandeur and certainly will not leave anyone indifferent. recently even received the status of the New Wonder of the World.

The monumental statue of Christ the Savior has become one of the symbols of the New World. Brazil is also famous stone rock at the entrance to Guanabara Bay, called Sugar loaf and the Monastery of São Bento, which is the most valuable historical and cultural monument in Brazil. And that's all - Latin America.

One more interesting place located in Chile. This is the Fray Jorge National Park, which UNESCO has declared the world reserve of the Biosphere. Holidays in Latin America cannot do without visiting Cuba, where all the sights - old cities and squares on them, are permeated with a revolutionary spirit and romanticism. And in Venezuela, be sure to visit the island of Margarita, which is famous for its heavenly beauties and the cleanest beaches.

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World of travel

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19.01.18 10:38

Old houses of cheerful colors climbing up obstinate hills, powerful Catholic cathedrals, welcoming harbors with shimmering turquoise waves, narrow streets, which open balconies of buildings, densely entwined with tropical flowers. All these are the cities of Latin America that preserve the memory of the colonial past and make generous concessions to the present and the future (in the form of skyscrapers winking at the sun with panoramic windows). Do you think this top will be headed by contrasting Rio de Janeiro or Argentine dandy Buenos Aires? But no. We'll show you 10 other Latin American cities to see live.

From the valley of the Incas to the mausoleum of the great navigator: the most picturesque cities in Latin America

Brazilian Salvador: Up and Down by Passenger Elevator

In Brazil's third largest city, Salvador, you can enjoy an outlandish mixture of African, European and indigenous Latin American cultures. It is home to some of the finest examples of colonial architecture in the Americas, with beautiful beaches nearby. In old central regions Salvador, you will find a collection of pastel-colored buildings dating back to the time when the Portuguese fortified their borders - now the ancient quarters are protected by UNESCO. This is the Upper Town, where, in addition to architectural monuments, there are many important institutions (some of them are also located in historical buildings), museums and temples. In the Lower Town, you will experience a unique shopping experience as you descend into the center shopping centers on unusual form transport - passenger lift (Lacerda lift).

Lima: Pre-Columbian artifacts and gastronomic wonders

Lima is the capital of Peru and very interesting city- was once the richest in Latin America, a reflection of that era can be found in the main square, Plaza Mayor. Treasures of ancient pre-Columbian civilizations on display in National Museum and the Larco Museum, is one of the main motivations for tourists. And here's another great "bait": the gastronomic wonders that famous chefs create in Lima (for example, Pedro Miguel Schiaffino and Gaston Acurio). Historical Center Lima is called the City of Kings, it enchants with colonial architecture, the modern Miraflores district attracts sun seekers and inveterate fashionistas, but Barranco is considered a bohemian haven.

Cusco: Gateway to Machu Picchu

Speaking of Peru, one cannot forget about the main attraction of the country, sacred valley Machu Picchu, the most impressive and well-preserved Inca ruins, a testament to the stunning pre-Columbian era. So, in our list of cities in Latin America, we will not do without Cuzco, it is not for nothing that it has long been nicknamed "The Gateway to Machu Picchu." Despite the fact that Cusco is often overcrowded with tourists, it has managed to save its face. Therefore, before you go on a mountain hike through the Inca places, admire the forts, temples, mansions and palaces in the Baroque and Renaissance style, starting with the Plaza de Armas (the heart of Cusco and its central square). V last years this city managed to get out of the shadow of Lima and become the pearl of the country, because everything in it - from the former Temple of the Sun to the delicious Andean cuisine - is very popular with travelers.

Colombian Cartagena: an enchantress with a special charm

It was here that Joan Wilder (Kathleen Turner), the heroine of the cult adventure comedy Romance with a Stone, was heading, but she mixed up the buses and ended up in the impenetrable jungle. Cartagena is a colorful Colombian city that attracts more tourists than the capital of the country, Bogota. And for good reason! It is a charming town with an ancient promenade protected by fortresses, photogenic cobbled alleys and colorful squares. All this makes Cartagena (full name - Cartagena de Indias) one of the most romantic cities Latin America. It was named after the Spanish Cartagena, a magnificent old town (St.Peter's Church, University, Palace of the Inquisition, main square, cathedral) is filled with colonial charm and is protected by UNESCO.

Santiago: futuristic dandy set against the Chilean mountains

Chilean capital Santiago seems much more modern city- a kind of futuristic dandy - compared to other members of our top. It is a thriving metropolis with a beautiful background (snowy Mountain peaks), trendy galleries and prominent skyscrapers (thanks to the economic boom of the last decade). However, there are vineyards, colonial mansions, neoclassicism, and what kind of cuisine is there in Santiago! The cozy restaurants serve world-class cuisine and excellent local wine. Exquisite boutiques will satisfy any "seasoned" shopaholic. Located in the Maipo Valley, framed by the stunning Andes to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, Santiago has withstood invasions, earthquakes, and dictatorships, which does not prevent it from being one of the most popular cities in Latin America.

Valparaiso: colorful houses scattered along the slopes

Compared to Santiago, popular among tourists, another pearl of Chile - Valparaiso - pales slightly, but in vain. Valparaiso is a very beautiful port city, easily accessible from the capital (about two hours drive). Bright multicolored houses, surrealistically scattered along the hillsides - business card Valparaiso. Many of the historic buildings have been renovated to become trendy restaurants and comfortable boutique hotels. The city has several bohemian quarters, where 19th century mansions have been perfectly preserved. Due to the fact that the streets of Valparaiso fit between steep cliffs, indented coastline and hills, there are a lot of stairs, pedestrian narrow streets, if you feel sorry for your feet, you can use the funiculars.

Asuncion: a Paraguayan jewel

The beginning of the next city in Latin America was laid by the traveler, conquistador from Spain Juan de Salazar, who moored here in 1537. Asuncion is now the capital of Paraguay, filled with sights that are best explored while walking through the ancient center. The city is home to about half a million people, so no fuss and traffic jams! Buildings of the 16th-18th centuries, cathedrals and churches erected by the Jesuits, and even the Orthodox Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, built by Russian engineers in the 1920s, await you. But, of course, the most majestic is the National Cathedral, which takes on a completely different, some otherworldly appearance, in the twilight with a successful illumination. The city can be reached by car, plane or boat. Every July a fair is held in the Paraguayan capital, where local food products, vegetables, fruits are presented, national melodies sound - a very colorful festival!

The Uruguayan capital Montevideo: Art Deco Art Nouveau, Baroque

In one of the last episodes of the Blacklist series (now the 5th season), the most wanted FBI criminal Raymond Reddington (James Spader) recommended the interlocutor (in trouble) to escape to Montevideo. And what, the concierge of the underworld, rolling billions of dollars, will not advise bad! The capital of Uruguay remains underestimated: wishing to visit the cities of Latin America, people choose the more "promoted" Rio or Buenos Aires. However, Montevideo is an outstanding metropolis, a large industrial port (which does not prevent the city from having more than 14 miles luxurious beaches), a historic center meticulously restored with Art Deco or Art Nouveau houses and Baroque cathedral 1726 year. There is even a bronze copy of Michelangelo's "David" in the city. Montevideo (translation of the name - "view from the hill") emerged as a fortress at the entrance to the Bay of La Plata: the Spaniards defended themselves from smugglers. Modern Montevideo has monuments and theaters, museums and skyscrapers, as well as the Centenario stadium, which hosted the FIFA World Cup (it used to accommodate 120 thousand people, after the reconstruction there were 80 thousand seats left).

Santo Domingo: Residence of the Viceroy and Columbus Lighthouse

Probably, there is no other such city in Latin America (yes, perhaps, there is no such city on Earth either), in which there is so much associated with the name of Christopher Columbus, as Santo Domingo (the capital Dominican Republic). This jewel of the country, nestled in the south of Haiti, was discovered in 1496 by Christopher Columbus's brother Bartolomeo and named (by him) New Isabella. True, in 1502 the city was named after Saint Dominic. Santo Domingo - the oldest extant settlements founded by Europeans in the Americas. Its buildings are a real excursion into the history of urban planning: Arabic style, Gothic, Romanesque, Renaissance. The Rosario chapel dates back to the end of the 15th century, the Alcazar castle (seat of the viceroy) was commissioned by Christopher Columbus's son Diego in 1514. Until 1922, the ashes of Columbus himself were housed in the old cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor. Nowadays, for the great navigator, a grandiose structure has been erected (in the image and likeness of the Indian pyramids) - the Columbus Lighthouse. It was opened in 1992, its construction required more than $ 70 million. The mausoleum of the Lighthouse contains the remains of the discoverer (at least what is considered his ashes), which are guarded by a constant guard of honor of the guards. The historic center (the so-called Colonial City) of Santa Domingo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ecuadorian Loja and Podocarpus National Park

To round off the list of Latin American cities to visit, we want a kind of dark horse. You may not have heard of this small town with 130,000 inhabitants. This is Loja (Ecuador), occupying the southern part mountain range Cordillera Real, located near Peru (180 km to the border). Old City is distinguished by interesting architecture and design, there are stunning churches and squares, museums and botanical gardens with 800 plant species.

But the main advantage of Loha is different: there is an amazing national park Podocarpus. The biological diversity of the park is amazing, because it is the intersection of four ecological zones: the Pacific, Amazon, Southern Andes and Northern Andes.

The park has many hiking trails, a fantastic landscape with hills and waterfalls, 560 species of birds and 68 species of mammals live here, including many endemics.

The countries of South America received their independence only at the beginning of the 20th century. In a difficult struggle, they won the right to their coat of arms, flag and their own state policy.

The vast majority of Latin American states are unitary. With this arrangement, the administrative-territorial formations within the country do not have sovereignty and live according to uniform laws. This group includes Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Peru, Chile, Jamaica, etc.

Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico and Argentina have a federal form of administrative-territorial structure. In these states, territorial units have greater independence, subject to their own legislation and regional government.

In the constitutions of Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, Paraguay and other countries, the special status of the country's president is enshrined. The law defines the broad powers of the father of the nation, his unconditional right in all structures of state power. This form of government is called a presidential republic.

Geographical position of Latin America

The huge territory is located on the American continent and occupied an area of ​​more than 20 million km². It includes the southern part of the mainland North America and almost all South America... Latin America stretches from north to south for almost 13 thousand km, from southern borders USA to Cape Horn - extreme south point Tierra del Fuego islands.

The eastern coast of Latin America is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, and the western coast is washed by the Pacific waves. The distance between the oceans is more than 5 thousand km, they are connected by the Panama Canal - the most important transoceanic transport artery, which plays a huge role not only in the Latin American economy, but throughout the world.

List of countries

More than 45 countries have settled in the Latin American region and not dependent territories... They are very different in their own way. geographic location and socio-economic development.

The largest countries in the region by area:

• Brazil- 8.5 million km²;
• Argentina- 2.8 million km²;
• Peru- 1.3 million km²;
• Colombia- 1.1 million km².

The longest and at the same time the narrowest Latin American state is Chile. Its length from north to south is almost 4,300 km, with an average width from west to east of less than 180 km. The state capital of Chile - Santiago - is located at the foot of the Andes, in the zone of frequent earthquakes.

The most small state located on two islands on the map of Latin America Caribbean... Saint Kitts and Nevis covers an area of ​​261 km². Island capital Buster was founded in the early 17th century and is the oldest city West Indies. 11-12 thousand people live permanently on its territory.

The multinational Republic of Bolivia is located in the highlands of the Andes. The country is one of the poorest states in the region. But it is distinguished by its unique originality and culture. The population leads a sober lifestyle. The Bolivian government is based in La Paz. It is the highest (unofficial) capital in the world. It is located at an altitude of 4 thousand meters above sea level. The air is very thin, so it is very difficult to breathe there. Rich city dwellers choose deep mountain gorges for life.

Population

Latin America belongs to the sparsely populated regions of the planet. Today, a little more than 625 million people live throughout its territory. The average population density remains low - 31.5 people per km². Densely populated areas include the states of the islands of the Caribbean and the Atlantic coast. The population density in the central part of the region does not exceed 5 people per km².

Urbanization in Latin American countries has reached European heights. Almost 80% of the population lives in cities. Today the region has over 100 major cities(with a population of 250 to 500 thousand people) and the same number of largest (with a population of 500 thousand to 1 million inhabitants). More than half of the total urban population lives in millionaire cities, the number of which has reached 37. The leader among them is the Mexican capital Mexico City, where about 20 million people live. In second place is the Brazilian Sao Paulo (11 million people). The capital of Peru - Lima (7.6 million people) closes the list of record holders.

One of the problems caused by the rapid growth of cities is the formation of a belt of poverty around megalopolises. This process of false urbanization is driven by the desire of the poor to better life... Demographers estimate that the slums of Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and Caracas are home to 40-50% of the urban population.

Ethnic composition, languages, religions

The territory is characterized by a complex ethnic composition, which includes:

• indigenous population- Indian tribes and nationalities. Descendants of the ancient Aztecs, Mayans and Incas inhabited New World long before the arrival of the colonists. Today their number does not exceed 15%;
• creoles- descendants of Spanish, Portuguese and French settlers make up about a quarter of the population;
• Afro-Latinos- dark-skinned descendants of slaves from Africa, whose number is about 10%;
• descendants from mixed marriages(mestizo, mulatto and sambo) make up more than 50% of the population.

Mixed marriages are characteristic of modern Latin America, so ethnic lines between residents are gradually blurring.

In the era of colonization, priests preaching Catholicism actively arrived on the territory of the continent. Today this religion is practiced by the overwhelming majority of Hispanics.

The beautiful sonorous name of Latin America is a historical and cultural heritage region, which was formed during the years of colonial dependence on European countries. The colonization of peoples began here in the 16th century. Immediately after the discovery of the New World by Columbus, crowds of immigrants from Spain, Portugal and France poured into the continent. Each of them dreamed of starting here new life... Some wanted to get rich, while others wanted to hide from religious, political persecution and persecution of the authorities. But they all spoke Romance languages. And the origin of the languages ​​of this group is based on Latin.

The colonial history of Latin American countries is in the distant past. Today, almost all of them have the status independent states(except for several dependent territories). But the population still speaks Spanish, Portuguese and French.

The economic state of the countries

Latin American countries are emerging economies. This is facilitated by the favorable geography of the region. Almost all countries have access to the ocean, which expands the opportunities for world exports. The main income of the countries of Latin America comes from the trade in fossil fuels and agricultural products (coffee, wheat, sugar, soybeans, cotton, bananas, etc.).

The vast territory of Latin America is divided into subregions. They include countries with specific features and characteristics of the economy.

The first subregion is Central America. It includes Mexico and the countries of Central America.

The extractive industries and Agriculture... Thanks to the unique climatic conditions in the highlands, coffee, sugar cane and cotton are cultivated on its territory.

Another sub-region is the countries of the La Plata basin. The most economically developed Argentina produces tobacco products, cellulose, oil products and building materials. And the underdeveloped agrarian Paraguay and Uruguay specialize in the production of mate, palm oil and cotton.

Suriname and Guyana specialize in the extraction of bauxite. The backbone of Guyana's economy is agriculture. They raise livestock and fish for shrimps.

The richest sub-region of Latin America is Brazil. The former Portuguese colony now ranks ninth in the ranking of the world's fastest growing economies. The Federation is the largest supplier of mineral raw materials in the world market. Exports oil and ore minerals. The favorable climate encourages the cultivation of cocoa beans, wheat and soybeans. The country is rich in forest resources.

Climate

Most countries have a hot climate, average temperature per day exceeds 20 degrees.

Brazil is famous for its constant heat average monthly temperature in the country does not fall below 16 degrees. Rare frosts are possible only on the high eastern massifs.

Mexico has a tropical and subtropical climate. In a number of areas located above 2.5 thousand meters above sea level, the thermometer is shown at least 2 degrees in winter and up to 15 in summer. At the same time, on the coastal plains, the indicator does not fall below 24 degrees.

Cuba's climate is tropical, trade wind. In the coldest month of the year - January - the average temperature is 22.5 degrees. The weather is rainy from May to September, and the period from October to April is considered dry.

An interesting fact is that in Chile and Peru for a whole year it may never rain, while on the slopes of the Andes it can go for months.

Cultural values

The largest cultural confrontation in Latin America is the introduction of Christianity into the Indian tribes, which began during the landing of the Portuguese and Spanish conquistadors. Surprisingly, this planting was successful.

In general, if we talk about the cultural values ​​of the countries of the territory, it should be noted the general ubiquitous religiosity, which is not limited to Catholicism alone. For example, the state of Haiti professes voodoo, a traditional African religion.

The culture varies greatly depending on the specific country of the territory. This is due to the fact that some states actively form and support the values ​​of nationalities (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina), while others, despite a common commonality and language, tend to highly developed countries(Uruguay).

Crime

Latin American countries are considered the most crime-prone areas modern world... At the top of the ranking, the most dangerous countries there are El Salvador and Honduras - in these states, there are 64.7 and 77.5 murders per 100,000 people, respectively. These characteristics are due to the drug traffic that passes through Central America.

The third place was taken by Jamaica, where crime is high due to poverty and drug trafficking (52.5 murders).

When making a trip to the Western Hemisphere, it should be remembered that it is here that more than 40% of all crimes on Earth are committed. One of the most dangerous cities in the world is Bogota, the capital of Colombia. Moreover, this country is the largest producer of cocaine in the world.

Major cities and their attractions

On the territory of Mexico and Peru there are sights of the times of the great Mayans and Incas. The cult buildings of Chichen Itza and Machu Picchu will reveal secrets and help to touch the history of ancient civilizations.

In Mexico City, you can visit the Palace of Fine Arts - incredible beauty Opera theatre built of Carrara marble. It was built in the 30s of the last century according to the idea of ​​the Italian A. Boari. It is worth noting the Zocalo square, which is the largest in Latin America.

Arriving in São Paulo, be sure to look at the cathedral of the same name, which is considered the fourth largest Gothic structure in the world. You can also go to the Paulista Museum, erected in honor of Brazil's independence.

You should visit Rio de Janeiro in order to see the statue of Christ the Redeemer, which is one of the new seven wonders of the world. Another miracle - Machu Picchu - is located in Peru.

Remains of ancient civilizations

Before the Europeans came to Latin America, there were Maya, Inca and Aztec civilizations on the territory. After them there were cultural monuments for example, Chichen Itza - a city built by the Maya. The ruins of another remained on the territory of Mexico ancient city, in which the Totonaki people used to live. Now the monument is called El-Takhin.

The nature of Latin America

On its territory is the largest active volcano on the planet - Cotopaxi, the longest mountain range - the Andes, and the most high waterfall- Angel. In Latin America, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes are not uncommon. The fauna is amazing for its animals - guanaco llamas, American ostriches and sloths, which are not found elsewhere on the planet.

City landmarks

One of the most places of worship territories are considered:

• The historic center of Lima, located in the capital of Peru;
• University campus in Caracas;
• Jesuit Quarter and Missions of Cordoba.

Going on a trip to one of the countries of Latin America, you must definitely think over the route of the places to be visited in advance.

Popular Latin American countries for Russian tourists

Thousands Russian tourists are sent annually to the countries of Latin America and their capitals. Russian travelers tend to go there to admire the unique nature of the continent and the rich culture of the peoples.

Many dream of a trip to Latin America, but few manage to do it! For the lucky ones who belong to the category "we'll be there soon" and for those who just surf the Internet, see below the most beautiful naturald sights of Latin America and .

Amazon rainforest

These forests cover 5.5 million square kilometers in seven countries of Latin America. It is the largest and most biodiversity-rich tropical ecosystem in the world. Most of the forests are found in Brazil (60%), Peru (13%) and Colombia (10%).

This nature reserve thrives on the stream of the Amazon River and its tributaries, which starts from the Andes mountains in Peru and runs 6437 km to Atlantic Ocean on the northeast coast of Brazil.

Each country has many natural attractions to admire: thousands of flora and fauna species inhabit over 50 national parks, nature reserves or on the largest freshwater island chain, the Anavillanas archipelago in Brazil.

The world's largest dried salt lake in Bolivia

- the largest dry lake, located in the southwestern part of the country. It covers an area of ​​10,500 square kilometers and was created as a result of various transformations of a prehistoric lake that existed in the highlands of Bolivia. It is known for its large amounts of salt deposits, and contains the largest lithium reserves in the world, buried deep beneath salt marshes.

Perito Moreno in Patagonia

Everyone lucky enough to visit the southern tip Latin America, shouldn't miss the opportunity to see the glaciers of Patagonia from up close. Patagonia is a region that covers 670,000 square kilometers south of the Chile-Argentina border. Perito Moreno is the largest glacier in National park Glacier is in western Argentina, and includes 13 glaciers that end in two large lakes.

In addition to being the largest, it is also the most active glacier, as it moves almost two meters a day. According to research, this is one of the few glaciers on the planet that does not seem to be affected by the effects of climate change.

Iguazu Falls in Brazil and Argentina

This is one of the most magical natural wonders in the world and the attractions of Latin America, consisting of 275 waterfalls. Iguazu Falls included world heritage UNESCO. Like Perito Moreno, Iguazu can be attributed to.