Bermuda, despite travelers referring to this destination in the singular, is actually a chain of 181 islands with a total area of 53 sq. kilometers (20.6 sq. miles). Despite longtime international perception of its location within the Caribbean, Bermuda is actually located further up in the North Atlantic Ocean – some 1,000 km east of […]
Poland is best known for its place in history as being a country under constant occupation from one foreign force or another. A large Eastern European country that was wedged between two powerful countries during the 20th century (Germany and Russia), Poland was ruled by local monarchs (the Jagiellonian dynasty) for much of the Middle […]
With Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the Americas ushering in Spanish colonialism through much of the Americas, Spanish explorers arrived in the sparsely-populated South American country now known as Uruguay in 1516. Initial resistance from indigenous groups prevented the Spaniards from settling in that country until the early 1600s (when cattle was introduced there). Although no […]
Tourists visiting Peru think firstly of the country’s ancient indigenous civilization – the Inca Empire that goes back to the 13th century. That pre-Columbian empire, during its height, covered not only Peru, but parts of Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia (centered on the Andean Mountain regions of these countries). Inca rule over these lands came […]
Ecuador, located in a northwest region of South America, has a rich history that goes back to pre-Columbian times, when much of that country was part of the Inca Empire. All that changed when Spanish conquistadores (led by explorer Francisco Pizarro) invaded Ecuador in 1531. During the early part of Spanish colonial rule, Ecuador was […]
Colombia’s very name comes from Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, who never actually set foot in that country during his voyages to the Americas. However, one of Columbus’ companions from his second trip, Alonso de Ojeda, was the first European to have done so (in 1499). The gold ornaments that he saw among the local indigenous […]
Chile’s pre-Columbian history goes back to the Inca Empire, when the northern and central portions of present-day Chile were part of it. While Spanish conquistadores (led by Francisco Pizarro) conquered the Inca Empire in nearby Peru and established a colonial presence there by 1534 (in the Spanish crown’s quest for gold), Chile wasn’t settled by […]
Nicaragua, located in the middle of Central America, was first discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1502 (during his fourth voyage to the Americas) – exploring the Atlantic (Caribbean) coast of that country. With Spanish conquistadors making they way into Nicaragua by the 1520s, they named the country after one of the indigenous Indian chiefs that […]
Fort Barlee (Corozal, northern Belize) — At the center of town, this fort was built in 1849 by Caste War refugees for protection from attacks by hostile Maya. Remains of the brick corner turrets are still visible on the fort site. The Caste War refugees were mestizos (mixed-race Spanish & Indian locals)
Northern Belize — Winding through a veritable paradise, the New River – an ancient Maya waterway – showcases the wildlife and beautiful scenery of Northern Belize. When you visit this region in Belize, see how the sugar cane fields line the highway that lead you to explore remnants of Maya heritage. Mystical temples and mysterious […]