LATIN AMERICA By: S. Ray

IGUAZU FALLS  Iguazu Falls, Iguazú Falls, Iguassu Falls, or Iguaçu Falls are waterfalls of the Iguazu River on the border of the Argentina province of Misiones and the Brazilian state of Paraná. The falls divide the river into the upper and lower Iguazu. The Iguazu River rises near the city of Curitiba. For most of its course, the river flows through Brazil, however, most of the falls are on the Argentine side. Below its confluence with the San Antonio River, the Iguazu River forms the boundary between Argentina and Brazil.

SALAR DE UYUNI  In southwest Bolivia is the world’s largest salt flat, spanning 10,582 square kilometers and situated 3,656 meters above sea level. The Salar is extraordinarily flat and has a lithium-rich salt crust with an estimated 11 billion short tons of salt. When it rains, the thin layer of water transforms the crust into a giant mirror, leading to some stunning and very creative pictures at one of the more unique places in Latin America.

OURO PRETO  Brazil has an impressive 78 institutions in the 2014 QS University Rankings: Latin America, including the second, third and fourth ranked Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) and Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). A former colonial mining town, Ouro Preto is now a thriving university town, whose flagship university Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP) is ranked 110 in Latin America.

TORRES DEL PAINE  Chile’s Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile tops the 2014 QS University Rankings: Latin America and joins its 31 institutions in the top 300. Southern Chile also boasts the impressive Torres del Paine National Park. A World Biosphere Reserve elected fifth on the list of most beautiful places in the world by National Geographic, this spectacular region is a transition area between the Magellanic sub- polar forests and the Pantagonian Steppes.

MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST BIOLOGICAL RESERVE  Channel your inner Aladdin and walk amongst the clouds at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, so-called because of its persistent low-level cloud cover. This 10,500 hectare reserve has six ecological zones, extremely high biodiversity, over 500 bird species, the endemic Golden Toad, and the largest number of orchids in the world.

TIKAL  Guatemala has four institutions in the top 300 of the QS University Rankings: Latin America, with its highest ranking Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala – USAC ranked It is home to UNESCO World Heritage Site Tikal, one of the largest archeological sites of the Maya civilization. Set in the heart of the jungle, this remote city is the best understood of any of the large lowland Maya cities, due to archeologists’ continued exploration of its tombs, monuments, temples and palaces.

MACHU PICCHU  Of Peru’s 16 institutions in the QS University Rankings: Latin America, its highest ranked is Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú in 30th place. Peru is perhaps most well known for Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

ANGEL FALLS  Featuring eight institutions in the QS University Rankings: Latin America, of which four are in the top 100, Venezuela’s highest ranking university is the Universidad Central de Venezuela – UCV at rank 27. Speaking of height, Venezuela is also home to the tallest waterfall in the world: Angel Falls in Canaima National Park.

 Whether you spell it Cusco, Cuzco, or Q'osco, you're talking about the gateway to one of the world's most breathtaking sites, Machu Picchu, the Incan city on what was considered a sacred valley, and the most impressive pre-Columbian ruins in the world. Before heading there, plan your sightseeing in the city's Plaza de Armas, and make a list of the Incan ruins and colonial architecture you want to see (fortresses, temples, baroque and Renaissance churches and mansions). Although increasingly touristy, it's managed to preserve its character and remains one of the highlights of a trip to South America. CUSCO, PERU

LIMA, PERU  Peru's capital has cleaned up its colonial architecture and that has earned it a spot on the World Heritage Sites list. It was once Latin America's richest city, reflected today on the grand Plaza Mayor. The treasures of ancient pre-Columbian civilizations on display in the National Museum and Larco Museum are often the reasons many visit the city, but the local gastronomy and celebrity chefs (like Gastón Acurio and Pedro Miguel Schiaffino) have now also placed it on the map.