World Heritage Sites of South America Quiz

Answer: El Fuerte de Samaipata

Also known as Fort Samaipata, the area is divided into two regions. Samaipata's northern region contains pre-Inca rock carvings with recesses in the rocks, indicating the area might have once been used for ceremonial purposes. The native Chanè lived in the southern region around 100 CE. The name Samaipata comes from the Quechua word meaning "the heights of rest."

Answer: Nazca Lines

Scholars haven't completely agreed on the purpose of the lines. Some believe they were created as astronomical charts while others believe they were carved for religious purposes. The geoglyphs include animals, birds, fish, and even man. They date back thousands of years and have remained preserved due to the dry desert climate.

Answer: Iguazu Falls

Containing 275 waterfalls and spanning 19 square miles, Iguazu Falls is named for the Guarani word meaning "big water." Should you want to catch a closer view of the massive falls, catwalks provide an up close and personal experience. The largest of the falls is named "The Devil's Throat" or "La Garganta del Diablo." The falls are part of the Iguazu National Park.

Answer: Cusco

Cusco (Qusqu) is located in southeastern Peru, near the Andes Mountains. As the most important city of the Inca civilization for three centuries, the city was well-planned. Divided into cultural, administrative and industrial sections, the Inca ruins were partially covered up by churches and palaces when the Spanish conquered the city in the 16th century.

Answer: Central Amazon Conservation Complex

If you are searching for the perfect spot to represent the best that nature has to offer, look no further than the Central Amazon Conservation Complex. Spanning over five million acres, a rich abundance of aquatic life and varied ecosystems co-exist as nature intended.

The Anavilhanas National Park, Amanã Sustainable Development Reserve, Mamairauá Sustainable Development Reserve, and Jaú National Park make up this stunningly beautiful complex.

Answer: Galápagos Islands

These volcanic islands were discovered by accident in 1535 after a ship strayed off course. Naturalist Charles Darwin went to the islands to study the native species of wildlife and much of what he observed there was used in his studies of evolution. Some of the main islands found within the archipelago are Darwin, San Cristóbal, and Isabela, named for Charles Darwin, St. Christopher, and Queen Isabela respectively.

Answer: Chile

Only sixteen churches are included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Each shingled structure was constructed using wood that is not only indigenous to the area but well-suited to the wet climate. The design of the churches represents a blend of native and European Jesuit cultures.

Answer: Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia

Colombia's ideal growing conditions, warm and low altitude, makes it well-suited for cultivating high quality coffee beans. What makes Colombian coffee beans so unique is that the beans are washed before processing. All that washing makes for a robust flavor and reduces the amount of acidity.

Answer: Tiahuanaco

Located near Lake Titicaca, this World Heritage Site contains some interesting features. Surrounded by stone walls, a large sandstone entrance, known as Kalasasaya Entrance, welcomes visitors to the large open area. Two large monoliths, the Gateway to the Sun and the Gateway to the Moon, were carved from a single sheet of andesite, a type of volcanic rock. Since mythology played an important role in the lives of this ancient people, it is believed that a stone statue, Ponce Monolith, represents a race of stone giants.

Answer: Canaima National Park

12,000 sq. miles of beautiful scenery awaits visitors to Canaima National Park. Besides Angel Falls, there are other waterfalls just as beautiful such as Salto Aponguao and Salto Kama-Kama Meru. The park is known for its lush forests, hiking trails, and sheer beauty.