The Spanish voyages of Christopher Columbus from 1492 to 1504 resulted in permanent contact with European (and subsequently, other Old World) powers, which eventually led to the Columbian exchange and inaugurated a period of exploration, conquest, and colonization whose effects and consequences persist to the present. However, the colonization never became permanent and was later abandoned. The first known European settlement in the Americas was by the Norse explorer Leif Erikson. The subsequent migration of the Inuit into the neoarctic around 3500 BCE completed what is generally regarded as the settlement by the indigenous peoples of the Americas. A second migration of Na-Dene speakers followed later from Asia. Humans first settled the Americas from Asia between 20,000 and 16,000 years ago. Since the Americas extend 14,000 km (8,700 mi) from north to south, the climate and ecology vary widely, from the arctic tundra of Northern Canada, Greenland, and Alaska, to the tropical rain forests in Central America and South America. Lawrence River– Great Lakes basin, Mississippi, and La Plata. The flatter eastern side of the Americas is dominated by large river basins, such as the Amazon, St. The topography is dominated by the American Cordillera, a long chain of mountains that runs the length of the west coast. Īlong with their associated islands, the Americas cover 8% of Earth's total surface area and 28.4% of its land area. The Americas make up most of the land in Earth's Western Hemisphere and comprise the New World. The Americas (sometimes collectively called America) are a landmass comprising the totality of North and South America. Cartagena is set on rocks and coral reefs, so you need to get out to the islands if you're looking to dive or snorkel and get some ocean time.1990s CIA political map of the Americas in Lambert azimuthal equal-area projection It’s very lush, with narrow streets and a lively vibe.Īlso, if you’re wanting to get into the water, grab a boat to Islas del Rosario. I also love wandering around Getsemaní, a fun neighborhood right outside the walled city. It’s the perfect place to watch the sunset. The Club de Pesca marina has a restaurant that is pretty incredible. Can you tell us a few favorite spots in Cartagena? They rehabilitate animals so they can safely return to the wild, and they also look after animals that are unable to return, because they’re too tame or injured.Īnd this is where you get to see monkeys in the wild, without damaging their delicate natural habitat. We visit Fundación Maikuchiga, which is an animal sanctuary that aims to reduce the illegal trafficking of animals. See incredible wildlife that only exists in this part of the world © Edwin Butter / 500px What kinds of animals will visitors see? Pro tip: Have a drink at the vibey El Social in the neighborhood of Provenza. You'll travel around with your trip leader like a local, using the Metro and Metrocable (a gondola lift). Days 5–7: Deep dive into magical Medellínĭelightful year-round climate and surrounded by coffee-producing towns, Medellín is considered one of the most beautiful and modern cities in Colombia. This is the real start of your Colombian adventure, as you catch a flight from Bogotá to Colombia's southeastern corner and the town of Leticia – the gateway to some of South America's most incredible wilderness areas along the Amazon River. Salsa and sunshine for everyone! Days 1–4: Off to the Amazon Marvel at tiny pygmy marmosets and freshwater pink river dolphins, and snorkel on the Caribbean coral reefs of Islas del Rosario. The best bit? Laura has done all the planning for you. Meet the indigenous Ticuna people of the Colombian Amazon. Her appetite for adventure, her intelligence and experience (she’s a botanist, by the way), her passion for her home country and her expertise in crafting one-of-a-kind itineraries make her an ideal ambassador for Colombia.Ĭheck out some excerpts from our conversation, and get a taste of what you can expect when you book a trip with Laura.Įxplore the cities of Medellin and Cartagena, experiencing them like a local. I caught up with Laura while she was on an adventure of her own, learning about community tourism. To get an even clearer picture of what I missed, I spoke with Laura Jana, who is a local expert with Elsewhere by Lonely Planet, our travel-planning outfit that crafts trips all over the world, including Colombia, where Laura is based, as well as other far-flung destinations like Nepal, Costa Rica and South Africa. That, my friends, is the ballad of the moron who said no. Then, right after the new year, my friend Melinda texted saying she was going to Santa Marta and Alupo with her family and would I join them? Hmmm. Like what you’re reading? Get Lonely Planet, directly to your inbox.
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