Andes & Amazon

Around the World
Written by Kelci

On a letter board is a quote from Emiliano Zapata, “The land belongs to those who work it”

Editor’s note: This post will continue to evolve as I do

Welcome explorers, to a new leg of our Around the World journey. A series designed to take you through every country on the map, one region at a time, offering a glimpse into the cultures, geographies, and hidden stories that often go unnoticed. We’ve wandered through continents and crossed oceans, and after finishing up the vast blue expanse of Oceania, we now land on our final continent: South America.

Today’s chapter, “Andes & Amazon,” leads us through six remarkable nations, including: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador. Where landscapes shift from towering mountain peaks to endless jungle rivers.

From soaring peaks to winding rivers, these nations define South America’s story. Are you ready? Let’s go.

My hand-drawn flag of Argentina

ARGENTINA

Official name: Argentine Republic

Pronunciation: aar-juhn-tee-nuh

Capital: Buenos Aires

Official language: No official language, but Spanish is the main language used

Location: Southern part of South America in the Southern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, and Uruguay

Most known for: Passion for football (soccer for Americans)

Fun fact: Home to the world’s first animated feature film for El Apóstle, back in 1917

Recent news article: What to know before visiting Argentina (Luke Waterson, 2025)

My knowledge: While I knew someone from Argentina, I’m not too familiar

My hand-drawn flag of Bolivia

BOLIVIA

Official name: Plurinational State of Bolivia

Pronunciation: buh-li-vee-uh

Capital: With two capitals, La Paz (de facto capital) and Sucre (official constitutional capital)

Official language: Includes the following 37 official languages: Spanish, Baure, Reyesano, Puquina, Paraguayan Guarani, Tapieté, Trinitario Language, Canichana, Aymara, Mòoré, Cayubaba, Guaraní, Yucacaré language, Chimane language, Movima, Wichí Lhamtés Nocten, Kallawaya, Ignaciano language, Ayoreo, Mashco Piro language, Cavineña, Chipaya language, Leco, Yaminawa language, Araona, Sirionó, Ese Ejja language, Quechuan language, Guarayu language, Pauserna, Toromona language, Pacahuara, Matsiguenga language, Tacana, Itonama, Yuqui language, and Chácobo

Location: In Central South America on the western half in the Southern Hempishere

Surrounding countries: Chile, Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina

Most known for: The Andean mountains

Fun fact: Has the world’s largest salt flat, known as Salar de Uyuni

Recent news article: Pachamama Endures: From Ancient Andes to Modern Bolivia (The Wild Hunt, 2025)

My knowledge: I knew someone from Bolivia once but I don’t known much, otherwise.

By hand-drawn flag of Brazil

BRAZIL

Official name: Federative Republic of Brazil

Pronunciation: bruh-zil

Capital: Brasília

Official language: Portugese

Location: Along the Eastern coast of South America in both the North and South Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname

Most known for: Iconic landmarks, such as Christ the Redeemer statue and Amazon Rainforest

Fun fact: Has the world’s largest tropical wetland area, the Pantanal

Recent news article: Top 10 Museums in Brazil That Showcase the Country’s Culture and History (Matt Durum, 2025)

My knowledge: I’m a little familiar

My hand-drawn flag of Chile

CHILE

Official name: The Republic of Chile

Pronunciation: CHEE-lay

Capital: Santiago

Official language: No official language, but Spanish is the de facto

Location: Along the Southwestern coast of South America in the Southern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina

Most known for: Patagonia mountains

Fun fact: Home to the world’s driest desert (aside from Antartica), the Atacama Desert

Recent news article: Indigenous people of Chile: a new niche of tourism in our country (Chile Travel, 2025)

My knowledge: I’m not too familiar

My hand-drawn flag of Colombia

COLOMBIA

Official name: The Republic of Colombia

Pronunciation: kuh-luhm-bee-uh

Capital: Bogotá

Official language: Spanish

Location: On the Northwestern coast of South America in both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Ecuador, Panama, Venezuela, and Brazil

Most known for: Its coffee

Fun fact: Has the world’s tallest palm trees in Cocora Valley

Recent news article: On Colombia’s coast, the Wayuu struggle to save their territory and culture (Luzbeidy Monterrosa Atencio, 2025)

My knowledge: I’m not that familiar

My hand-drawn flag of Ecuador

ECUADOR

Official name: Republic of Ecuador

Pronunciation: eh-kwuh-dor

Capital: Quito

Official language: Spanish

Location: On the Northern portion on the Western coast in both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Colombia and Peru

Most known for: Its biodiversity hotspot

Fun fact: Quito, is the highest official capital in the world, standing at 9,350 feet

Recent news article: A city of culture in the high Andes (The Week UK, 2025)

My knowledge: Not all that much

… And just like that, we’ve trekked from the heights of the Andes to the heart of the Amazon. These six countries are each carry a distinct pulse: one of resilience, one of rhythm, and one of raw natural beauty from Argentina through Ecuador. This region demands curiosity and rewards it with awe.

Ready to keep traveling? The Around the World journey continues. If you’re just joining or want to catch up, start from “Just the Beginning,” this full itinerary is waiting for you.

As a signature of my blog, I’d like to end this post with a suggestion to “Pass on kindness.” There’s no time like the present to Inspire Those Who Inspire You. Acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, can have a direct, positive impact on someone else. Go out there today and change someone’s life for the better!

***These are my personal opinions and may not be those of my employer.***

More of this. Less of that. A little extra here. Maybe not quite so much there 🤔 Funny how our preferences can change over time, isn’t it? Something we once couldn’t get enough of suddenly becomes less appealing, while others unexpect
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I spent a lot of time asking myself questions when I write these posts. This time, I decided to ask some of you instead. You Tell Me is a little different from the other entires in For What It’s Worth. Rather than keeping all of my questions
I spent a lot of time asking myself questions when I write these posts. This time, I decided to ask some of you instead. You Tell Me is a little different from the other entires in For What It’s Worth. Rather than keeping all of my questions on the page, I handed a few of them over to others and got curious about where their minds would go. There were no right answers and nothing anyone was supposed to figure out (the norm and same with my polls). I just wanted to see what might happen when different people were given the same information. And well… you tell me 💛 You Tell Me is now live • •• ••• •••• ••••• •••• ••• •• • #YouTellMe #ForWhatItsWorth #Perspective #Curiosity #LetsTalk
How much is enough to consider? Throughout, For What It’s Worth, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about perspective, from what we know, what we don’t, what other people see, and what might change when we make room for another pos
How much is enough to consider? Throughout, For What It’s Worth, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about perspective, from what we know, what we don’t, what other people see, and what might change when we make room for another possibility All Things Considered brings me to one more question What happens when considered what we reasonably can and there are still things we may never know? It’s the final chapter (aside from the bonus post coming out this coming Thursday) of For What It’s Worth, and maybe the most personal question I’ve asked myself along the way 💛 Read All Things Considered, now live | Part IIII | Week 43 | For What It’s Worth series • •• ••• •••• ••••• •••• ••• •• • #AllThingsConsidered #ForWhatItsWorth #Perspective #SelfReflection #Curiosity
How can two people know the same person and describe them differently? Or experience the same moment and walk away understanding it in completely different ways? Same Difference, the next chapter For What It’s Worth, had me thinking about p
How can two people know the same person and describe them differently? Or experience the same moment and walk away understanding it in completely different ways? Same Difference, the next chapter For What It’s Worth, had me thinking about perception, perspective, and how much of another person any one of us really gets to see Different doesn’t necessarily mean someone has it wrong Sometimes it’s just means there’s more than one experience in the room 💛 Read “Same Difference” is now live | Part III | Week 42 | For What It’s Worth series | • •• ••• •••• ••••• •••• ••• •• • #SameDifference #ForWhatItsWorth #Perspective #Perception PersonalReflectio
More of this. Less of that. A little extra here. Maybe not quite so much there 🤔 Funny how our preferences can change over time, isn’t it? Something we once couldn’t get enough of suddenly becomes less appealing, while others unexpect I spent a lot of time asking myself questions when I write these posts. This time, I decided to ask some of you instead. You Tell Me is a little different from the other entires in For What It’s Worth. Rather than keeping all of my questions How much is enough to consider? Throughout, For What It’s Worth, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about perspective, from what we know, what we don’t, what other people see, and what might change when we make room for another pos How can two people know the same person and describe them differently? Or experience the same moment and walk away understanding it in completely different ways? Same Difference, the next chapter For What It’s Worth, had me thinking about p
Kelci

Hi, I’m the creative mind behind Inspire Those Who Inspire You!

I’m a curious soul with a love for creativity, meaningful moments, and life’s little adventures.

I’ve always enjoyed taking in the world around me, noticing the little (often forgotten) details, and learning something new along the way. I’m fascinated by different cultures, countries, and the people who make each place unique. There’s so much to discover beyond our own little corners of the world, and I hope to experience as much of it as I can.

I’m happiest when I’m doing a little bit of everything. Give me an early morning sunrise, a good swim, a peaceful walk-through nature, or an interesting mystery novel, and I’m pretty content. I love a productive day, appreciate a good cup of coffee, and have a soft spot for animals, especially penguins, frogs, turtles, and a growing list of other fascinating creatures.

I also enjoy finding humor in life’s unexpected moments, especially the ones that don’t go quite as planned. Some of my blond moments have turned into hilarious moments because sometimes all you can do is laugh, and I certainly have plenty of opportunities to do that!

When it comes to creativity, I love experimenting and seeing where an idea takes me. Whether I’m writing, taking photographs, or creating colorful abstract artwork, I enjoy the freedom to explore without worrying about how something is supposed to turn out. Sometimes there’s a story or deeper meaning behind what I create, and other times I simply enjoy the process.

Over the years, I’ve learned to take life a little less seriously, appreciate my individuality, and understand that kindness and personal boundaries can coexist. Being considerate of others matters to me, but so does treating myself with that same respect.

I value genuine connections, curiosity, kindness, and the little things that make each of us unique. One of the things I appreciate most about people is how differently we experience the world. Our interests, experiences, and perspectives all contribute to who we are, and I find that fascinating.

I tend to keep certain parts of my life personal, but this little corner of the internet gives me a place to share some of my interests, experiences, and creativity with others.

All in all, I’m glad you found your way here!

http://www.inspirethose.com
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