Latest Entries

Since Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia laid out the city grid, Plaza de Armas has served as the symbolic and geographical heart of Santiago—the point from which all distances in Chile are measured, the gathering place where generations of Chileans have celebrated, protested, and witnessed their nation's tumultuous history unfold. This large central square, shaded by Chilean palm trees and anchored by a fountain celebrating South American liberator Simón Bolívar, represents the enduring legacy of Spanish colonial urban planning.

Nestled in a valley surrounded by the towering snow-capped Andes Mountains and the lower Coastal Range, Santiago stands as Chile's vibrant heart—a dynamic metropolis where colonial heritage meets contemporary innovation, where world-class museums coexist with colorful street art, and where the rhythm of modern South American life pulses beneath the watchful gaze of ancient peaks. As Chile's capital and largest city, Santiago serves as the nation's political, cultural, and economic center, hosting over 40% of Chile's population.

Clinging precariously to steep hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Valparaíso stands as Chile's most visually captivating and culturally vibrant city—a UNESCO World Heritage Site where brightly painted houses cascade down hillsides like a waterfall of color, where historic funiculars defy gravity to connect the lower port with hillside neighborhoods, and where street art transforms crumbling walls into open-air galleries. Located northwest of Santiago on Chile's central coast, "Valpo" served as South America's most important Pacific port during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Extending from southwestern Belize's Maya Mountains eastward to the Caribbean Sea, the Maya Mountain Marine Corridor represents one of the world's most innovative conservation approaches—integrating terrestrial and marine ecosystem management to create a continuous protected landscape from mountain peaks to coral reefs. This visionary corridor bridges the gap between highland forests and coastal waters, where species rely on both terrestrial and marine habitats during their life cycles.

Rising dramatically from the coastal plains and limestone lowlands of west-central Belize and extending into eastern Guatemala, the Maya Mountains stand as both the geological backbone and ecological heart of the nation. This ancient mountain range represents one of Central America's oldest geological features and plays a pivotal role in shaping the region's landscape, biodiversity, and cultural heritage. The Maya Mountains form the centerpiece of Belize's conservation efforts, including the critical Maya Mountain Marine Corridor that connects these highlands to Caribbean coastal waters.

At the southernmost point of the South American continent, Chile is establishing Cape Froward National Park, one of the nation's most ambitious conservation initiatives in decades. Located on the Brunswick Peninsula, southwest of Punta Arenas, this protected area encompasses pristine wilderness facing the historic Strait of Magellan. The park represents a convergence of extraordinary natural features: forests, peatlands, and dramatic coasts where Pacific and Atlantic waters meet at the continent's terminus.

Argentina and Chile share Patagonia, a vast and enigmatic region at the southern tip of South America. It is renowned for its stunning landscapes, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage. This expansive region, often referred to as one of the world's last remaining "Edens," captivates with its mix of arid plains, towering mountains, sprawling glaciers, and dense forests. Patagonia's geographical, climatic, economic, and cultural aspects reveal a region of immense natural beauty and significance.

Flowing through northwestern Argentina, the Salí River serves as the region's key watercourse. Originating from precipitation in the Calchaquíes mountains and fed by streams from Sierra del Aconquija, it flows north to south through Tucumán, then southeast through Santiago del Estero, ending in the Mar Chiquita lagoon in Córdoba. The Salí-Dulce basin spans five provinces and supports nearly 2.5 million people for drinking, irrigation, industry, and hydroelectricity. However, industrial pollution, agricultural runoff, and urban waste have transformed it into one of Argentina's most contaminated river systems.

Just southeast of Santiago, the Cajón del Maipo—a dramatic Andean canyon carved by the upper Maipo River—offers one of Chile's most accessible and spectacular mountain experiences. This narrow valley, surrounded by towering peaks, including the imposing San José Volcano, encompasses the upper Maipo River basin, where the river has carved itself between steep canyon walls descending from the High Andes. The region extends to the Argentine border, where it is surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the area, including several active volcanoes

The Maipo River flows from the western slopes of the Andes to the Pacific Ocean, providing approximately 80% of Santiago's freshwater supply for seven million people. The river's basin contains more than 800 glaciers that serve as critical water storage during dry summer months. However, climate change has driven dramatic glacier retreat. This vital river system faces mounting pressures from prolonged drought, urban expansion, and agricultural demands, threatening water security for millions while supporting agriculture and industry.