Central America, Mexico, and South America add together the region we refer to as Latin America. This vast region of the world is made up of 21 countries with a total land area exceeding 20,000,000 km2. And it's not just the scale that makes it one of the most impressive regions on earth. There are mighty rivers, wilderness areas and final frontiers, but also ancient civilisations and vibrant new cultures. Latin America truly offers something for every interest and its top attractions are some of the most fascinating and memorable on the planet.

The highlights of a trip to Latin America will of course depend on what you like most. Some people prefer to explore archaeological sites such as the spectacular Inca ruins of Peru or the towering Mayan pyramids of Tikal, while others want to experience the energy and excitement of traditional local markets or the colour of "Carnaval" in pulsating Rio de Janeiro. Whether you aim to climb to the summit of a volcano, dive among pristine coral reefs or simply laze on unspoiled beaches, Latin America provides all the ingredients for the perfect holiday or adventure.

Whatever images one has of Latin America, they most probably fail to capture the astonishing blend of cultures and people. This richness in diversity has no equal among other territories of the globe. The fusion of all races (Amerindian, African and European etc) is manifested in the music, arts and crafts, foods, religion, architecture, and language. Music is considered a staple in the Latin American diet - feeding and replenishing the soul. Popular Latin music is laden not just with passion, sentiment, happiness and anguish, but with history and nostalgia. In addition to music, visitors will find arts and crafts all around them. Fine examples of indigenous crafts, pre-Columbian treasures, colonial baroque and powerful modern paintings exist in abundance. Architectural wonders also abound in Latin America. The most famous ruins, as mentioned earlier, are those of Peru's Machu Picchu and Guatemala's Tikal. Other spectacular archaeological sites include the Mayan ruins of Copan in Honduras and the ancient adobe city of Chan Chan on the coastal plain of Peru. Alternatively, some of the best examples of colonial architecture can be seen at Antigua Guatemala, Salvador da Bahia in Brazil, Cartagena in Columbia, Cajamarca in Peru, and Sucre or Potosi in Bolivia.

The Andes are not South America's only natural superlatives; the continent also contains the world's largest rainforest, mightiest river system, driest hot desert, tallest waterfall, highest lake and southern Chile and from the coral reefs of Belize to the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador - Latin America is truly a paradise of natural wonders. No other region on Earth presents such an assortment of ecosystems and astonishing array of wildlife.

Of the many ecosystems that characterise the region, the greatest single draw is the rainforest, an ecosystem that represents Mother Nature at her most exuberant and spectacular. Tropical forests cover only 6% of earth's land surface, yet they harbour at least 50% of all earth's species. To convey an idea of the extreme biotic diversity of tropical forests lets consider La Selva Biological Reserve in Costa Rica. It covers a mere 13.7km2 but features more than 1800 vascular plant species, 394 breeding birds, 104 mammals, 76 reptiles, 46 amphibians, 42 fish and 143 butterflies. Compare this with the whole of the British Isles at 233.000km2 with around 1400 native plant species, about 240 breeding birds, 47 mammals, 6 reptiles, 6 amphibians, 43 fish, and 64 butterflies. Anyone with a passion for natural history must try and visit Latin America and experience this diverse ecosystem firsthand.

Ecuador is a good place to experience the Amazon rainforest. Acre for acre, it is one of the most species-rich countries in the world. For instance, there are more than 20,000 plant species in Ecuador, compared to only 17,000 plant species on the entire North American continent. Deep jungle and its associated wildlife are still accessible in the far reaches of the country.

In addition to their awesome beauty and biodiversity, rainforests are also a vital part to the earth's ability to sustain life. They prevent the greenhouse effect, regulate rainfall on a global level, hold untold amounts of untapped medicines and products, and are homes to many dying cultures.

Although the rainforests have all the fame and glory, the seasonally flooded landscape of the Pantanal has the greatest concentration of wildlife in Latin America: 20 million caimans coexist with anteaters, anacondas, armadillos, brilliant hyacinth macaws, capybaras, egrets, giant river otters,jabiru storks, jaguars, macaws, maned wolves, marsh deer, pumas, rheas, and tapirs. This vast area of wetlands, about half the size of France, lies mostly in Brazil, but also extends into the border regions of Bolivia and Paraguay. A diversity of habitats are the key to the astounding number of species found there, which include 3,500 species of plants, 102 species of mammals, 652 species of birds, 177 reptiles, 40 amphibians, and 264 fish. Even if you are remotely interested in wildlife, the Pantanal is one of the best places in the world to visit.

The Belize Barrier Reef is another ecosystem of the region worth mentioning. It is the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere and the second largest in the world. This reef lies parallel to the coast of Belize, and stretches about 180 miles in a north to south direction. The Belize Barrier Reef is widely regarded as one of the world's best diving and snorkelling sites and is home to about 375 species of fish and about 60 types of coral. It is well worth a visit for those interested in marine ecology.

The Galapagos Islands are surely on every wildlife enthusiast's dream-list of places to visit. A magnificent array of endemic and remarkably tame animals form an out of this world spectacle of wonderment to the human eye and senses. Visitors have wonderful opportunities to experience an environment that has changed little since Darwin arrived there on the Beagle in 1835. His visit led to one of the greatest scientific revolutions of all time - the theory of evolution.

From the evidence cited above, it is easy to understand why Central America, Mexico, and South America have become firm favourites of travellers seeking something new. Increasing numbers of tourists, students, and researchers are now travelling to Latin America rather than other exotic locations. People want to see the exotic birds, mammals, insects, and plants for themselves. Whatever your reasons for going, Latin America will offer you more excitement, contrast and mystery than you could experience in a lifetime of travel

Its natural wonders, its people, and its history are just waiting to be explored.