2. Tallest waterfall in the world! 3212 ft--16 times taller than Niagara Falls Discovered in 1935, were named for James Angel, an American adventurer who crash landed his plane on a nearby mesa in 1937

3. Largest snake Adults are 15-30 feet. Give birth to live young and live near water/swamps.

4. “Lungs of the World” Largest river and largest area of continuous vegetation in the world Receives 50-175 inches of rain per year Home to 1500+ bird species, 3000+ fish, 30 million insects

5. Small meat eating fish--eats other fish and mammals, rarely attacks humans Can completely eat clean a cabybara (large 50-80 lb. rodent) in minutes Natives use the teeth to sharpen their arrows. They can still bite out of the water for several minutes.

6. “Lost City” of the Incas Built in the 1400s and abandoned in 1535. Rediscovered in 1911 by American explorer Hiram Bingham. It was never found by the Spanish. It is believed to be a royal residence.

7. Statue was a gift from France to commemorate the 100 th anniversary of Brazil’s freedom from Portugal. Completed in 1931, it sits on Corcovado Hill (2,340 ft), overlooking Rio de Janeiro. It is 38 meters tall.

8. Coffee starts off as a red berry. Seeds (bean) are removed, dried, and roasted. Brazil produces 25% of the world’s coffee and Columbia produces 12.5 %

9. 15 volcanic islands 600 miles from Ecuador. Charles Darwin developed his theory of evolution (Survival of the Fittest) after studying the islands in 1835. About 10,000 people live on the islands. Today, the islands are home to the rare Galapagos turtle, which can live 150 years and weigh 200 lbs. Also home of the Blue Footed Booby

10. Huge mysterious line drawings on the mountains of Peru. Drawn by the Nazca people (600 BC-200BC) and can only be seen from above. Some are carved into the ground and others were made by removing dirt/stone to expose the lighter rock underneath.

12. Highest capital in the world- 12,000 ft Founded in 1548 by the conquistador Captain Alonso de Mendoza on the site of an Inca village. It was a capital in 1898 for the executive and legislative branches of Bolivia’s government.

13. Easter Islands are 2,300 miles from Chile, covering only 47 sq. miles with a population of about 2,000. The islands were annexed by Chile in 1888. There are 600 stone faces from 11-40 ft tall, weighing as much as 85 tons.

14. Widest waterfall in the world--2 miles wide. The name is from a Guarani word meaning “great water” The first Spanish explorer to visit the falls was Cabeza de Vaca in 1541

15. Columbia has 90% of the world’s supply of natural emeralds Emeralds were believed to increase intelligence, protect marriages, ease childbirth, and enable one to predict events. Largest emerald was found in Brazil in 1974--86,136 carats Largest single crystal (gem quality) was 7,025 carats from Columbia

16. Relatives of camels. Domesticated and raised for their wool and as a pack animal. They have a high thirst tolerance, endurance and ability to subsist on a wide variety of forage. Used on some golf courses in Chile as caddies.

17. Celebration before the 40 days of Lent National Holiday in Brazil. Parades can last for several days. Cities have several Samba dance schools that anyone can join and participate. Each school has its own theme, dance, and colors. Costumes can weigh as much as 150 lbs.