Bolivia (6,542 m) – Tallest Volcano in the World Nevado Sajama is a long dormant volcano and, by some measures, the tallest volcanic mountain on Earth. It is also the tallest mountain in Bolivia, and one of the most prominent peaks in the Andes range. The centerpiece of Sajama National Park, Nevado Sajama has several claims to fame. For botanists, it boasts what may be the … [Read more...]
NEVADO OJOS DEL SALADO
Argentina/Chile (6,893 m) – 2nd Tallest Mountain in South America Nevado Ojos Del Salado is the second tallest mountain in South America. It is also an active volcano, the highest in the world, though there are taller when measured from base to peak. While the peak is in Chile, the eastern part of the mountain straddles the border with Argentina. Ojos Del Salado is Spanish … [Read more...]
MOUNT ACONCAGUUA
Argentina/Chile (6,961 m) – Tallest Mountain in South America Mount Aconcagua is the highest peak in the Andes Mountains and the tallest mountain in South America. It also bears the distinction of being the tallest mountin in the Southern and Western Hemispheres. Located in west-central Argentina, part of the mountain straddles the border with Chile. The meaning of the … [Read more...]
BATTLES OF VARGAS SWAMP & BOYACA (BATTLEFIELD)
Boyaca, Colombia (1819 AD) The Battles of Vargas Swamp and Boyaca were the decisive engagements of the wars of independence that ravaged the Spanish territories of New Granada at the beginning of the 19th century. Together they marked the beginning of the end of Spanish control of two colonies, both Colombia and Venezuela, and is a pivotal historic event for both countries. … [Read more...]
BATTLE OF CAJAMARCA (CAJAMARCA BATTLEFIELD)
Cajamarca, Peru (1532 AD) The Battle of Cajamarca, perhaps better called the Massacre at Cajamarca, was one of the largest and bloodiest slaughters of indigenous people during the early Colonial era. In actuality an ambush planned by a small force of Spanish conquistadors against the Incan emperor and his retinue, the heavily armed Europeans handily defeated a poorly equipped … [Read more...]
KING FAHD ISLAMIC CULTURAL CENTER
Buenos Aires, Argentina Until fairly recently, Islam historically made little headway in establishing footholds in the Americas. Sizeable Muslim communities can as yet be found in only three countries: the United States, Brazil and Argentina. Of these, the Muslim community of Argentina is the smallest; and yet it is home to the King Fahd Islamic Cultural Center in Buenos … [Read more...]
SANCTUARY OF LAS LAJAS
Narino, Colombia There are hundreds of churches and cathedrals around the world that could viably compete for the title of most beautiful, or most awe-inspiring, and many of these appear on this list. However, when it comes to spectacular settings, almost none can compare with Colombia’s Sanctuary of Las Lajas. Clinging to the verdant side of a multi-bridge spanned gorge, … [Read more...]
CITY OF BASILICAS
Buenos Aires, Argentina No city in the world boasts more basilicas, or other sites of Catholic interest, than Rome. While this probably does not come as a surprise, what might is the city that takes the number two spot. It’s not in Italy, or even in Europe. It’s not even located in the two Catholic giants of the Western Hemisphere, Brazil or Mexico. It is, strangely, … [Read more...]
CHURCHES OF THE PLAZA DES ARMAS
Cuzco, Peru The wealthy land of Peru became a major Spanish colony in the 16th century, and it was from here that Christianity spread out along the western coasts of South America. As such it boasts some of the oldest, largest and most beautiful churches and cathedrals on the continent. The Cathedral of Lima notwithstanding, the churches lining the Plaza des Armas in the … [Read more...]
CONVENT OF ST. DOMINIC
Lima, Peru Lima in Peru was one of the great cities of the old Spanish Colonial Empire in the Americas. Not surprisingly, it is home to many old and beautiful churches. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Lima was also home to a woman named Rose, the first Catholic saint to be born in the New World. The site of her tomb in the city’s Convent of St. Dominic became one of the … [Read more...]
