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Introducing South America
Back in the salad days (sometime between 12, 500 and 70, 000 years ago), humans migrated from Asia to Alaska over a land bridge across the Bering Strait and slowly hunted and gathered their way south. Settled agriculture developed in South America between 5000 BC and 2500 BC in and around present-day Peru, and the emerging societies ultimately developed into major civilizations, of which the Inca empire was the most sophisticated.
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Last updated: Apr 20, 2009
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South America
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South America Overview
- Places in South America
- History
- Tips & articles
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Our Top Picks For South America
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1 Machu Picchu, Peru
Rugged treks to awe-inspiring ancient Inca ruins hidden in cloud forests
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2 Galápagos Islands
Stunning volcanic islands teem with fearless animals, offering the wildlife experience of a lifetime
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3 Amazon, Brazil
Steamy jungles packed with wildlife and lingering rivers set the stage for unforgettable adventure
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4 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The breathtaking city of samba and beach culture, with one of the world's wildest parties
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5 Cartagena, Colombia
Architectural gem of the continent, a city graced with winding alleys and bougainvillea-strewn balconies
