Over the course of 2007, readers most often visited these pages for information about top destinations, fetivals, religious holidays, cities and capitals of South America, cuisine and travel tips.
11. Dia de la Raza
October 12 (or the nearest Monday to it) is traditionally celebrated throughout the Americas as the day Christopher Columbus arrived in 1492. Día de la Raza is the celebration of the Hispanic heritage of Latin America and brings into it all the ethnic and cultural influences making it distinctive.12. Semana Santa
The Holy Week of Easter is the most important Catholic religious festival in South America. Semana Santa, Holy Week, celebrates the last days of Christ's life, the Crucifixion and Resurrection, as well as the end of Lent. Semana Santa is observed with a range of celebrations, from the most solemnly religious, to a mix of pagan/Catholic, to commercial.13. Orinoco River
Peter and Jackie Main
The Orinoco river system is one of the largest in South America, originating along the southern borders of Venezuela and Brazil, in the state of Amazonas. The exact length of the river is still undetermined, with estimates between 1,500 to 1,700 mi (2,410–2,735 km) long, making it among the world's largest river systems. Over 200 rivers are tributaries to the mighty Orinoco which extends 1290 mi (2150 km) from source to the delta at the Atlantic Ocean.
14. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Gavin Hellier / Getty Images
Big. sprawling Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, is cosmopolitan and yet retains a neighborhood feel in the barrios. Sightseeing, nightlife, including the sensual tango, is a must in this sophisticated city.
15. Caracas, Venezuela
Javier Pierini / Getty Images
Venezuela's capital and largest city is the center of commerce, culture, economics and the base for touring the country's attractions. Caracas blends a modern cityscape and a colonial heritage with a lush, temperate climate. It's noisy as any large city with millions of inhabitants, yet it boasts a city park with a waterfall and hundreds of tropical plants.
