ABSTRACT
In the Western hemisphere, Central and South America, as well as Mexico, are frequently overshadowed by the global attention given to the United States. While tourism is increasing steadily, most travelers choose the United States or islands of the Caribbean for their vacation destinations. Many areas south of the U.S. border are still regarded as “developing,” but many great cities in these areas are quite cosmopolitan and as highly developed as cities in the United States and Europe. The region also boasts some of the world’s most beautiful natural wonders, such as the Amazon-the largest river in the world-and its surrounding rainforests (mostly in Brazil); Angel Falls (Venezuela), the highest waterfall in the world; and the Andes Mountains, second only to the Himalayas in peak height and the longest system of high mountains in the world, running all along the western coast of South America.
