The Nazca lines, or geoglyphs, in the sand of the Pampa San Jose, near the small town of Nazca, Peru, have posed mysterious questions for years. Who created these lines? And why? This figure of the Astronaut, or Shaman, is particularly well known.

Click on the link or the photo for more information about these thought-provoking figures.

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Photo thanks to ArtToday.com.

Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro is on the list of the Top 10 Beaches We Love" from weather.com.

Included in the review: information about the beach, traveling in Brazil, and links to the other nine beaches.

Photo of a beach goer enjoying the sun and the water thanks to ArtToday.com.

For more of Rio's famous beaches, see Beaches of Rio de Janeiro photo gallery.

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Machu Picchu is the most visited tourist destination in Peru, with good reason. The ruins stand atop a steep mountain overlooking the Urubamba river far below, with Huayna Picchu overlooking the ceremonial sites, agricultural terraces and residential areas of this ever-mysterious and popular destination.

Click on the link or the photo for more information about these spectacular ruins.

Do you have a photo that you'd like to see featured as our photo of the week? Or as part of our photo galleries?

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Photo thanks to ArtToday.com.

The death of José de San Martín is commemorated on August 17. Revered in Argentina as the military hero who brought independence to the country; in Chile as the general who aided Bernardo O'Higgins in ousting the Spanish royalists; in Peru as the man who ended the vice-royalty system and liberated the country, following the wars of independence, San Martín moved to Europe, where he lived quietly with his sole surviving grand-daughter until his death in in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France on August 17, 1850.

A number of mysteries surround this man of great historical importance. He was a leader of men, could train them and inspire them. He had a grand vision for South America.

This is known. What isn't as clear is the motivation for his actions. Historians and present-day analysts have studied his life, his letters and papers. Certain elements have sought to de-mystify the man by pointing out his infirmities and his romantic liasons, even discussing the possibility that he had Guaraní blood.

Read more about José de San Martín and the men and women who formed part of the History of South America