Rivers & Rainforests

Around the World
Written by Kelci

Black and white photo depicting a straight river dense coverage of bushes on either side, not from South America, but setting the tone of its quiet, untamed river landscapes

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

Welcome back, world travelers, and for those joining for the first time, you’ve arrived just in time for the final stop of our Around the World journey. This series has been a global hop from deserts to skylines, temples to tropics, uncovering cultures geography, and perspective through bite-sized, country-focused chapters.

Today, we land in “Rivers & Rainforests,” where Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela come into focus. These nations guard the secrets of both culture and nature with rich histories, biodiverse wonderlands, and traditions that run deeper than the Amazon itself.

If you’re just tuning in, head to “Just the Beginning,” the series origin point and full itinerary, to see just how far we’ve come. Now, let’s explore the final currents of South America.

My hand-drawn flag of Guyana

GUYANA

Official name: The Co-Operative Republic of Guyana

Pronunciation: gai-aa-nuh

Capital: Georgetown

Official language: English

Location: On Northeastern coast of South America slightly above the equator in the Northern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Venezuela, Suriname, and Brazil

Most known for: Being “Land of the Giants” due to being a biodiversity hotspot, having unique ecosystems, and having some of the world’s largest and impressive wildlife and flowers

Fun fact: Home to the world’s largest single drop waterfall, the Kaieteur Falls

Recent news article: What to Know About Visiting Guyana, South America’s Best-Kept Secret (Travel Age West, 2025)

My knowledge: I’m mainly familiar with country name and location

My hand-drawn flag of Paraguay

PARAGUAY

Official name: The Republic of Paraguay

Pronunciation: peh-ruh-gwai

Capital: Asunción

Official language: Spanish and Guarani

Location: In the middle of South America in the Southern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil

Most known for: “Heart of South America” due to its central location and being at the crossroads of cultures and trades

Fun fact: Visitors often clap instead of ring door bells as windows are often open due to the heat

Recent news article: 5 totally unmissable festivals to see in Paraguay (Anujj Trehaan, 2025)

My knowledge: Not all that familiar

My hand-drawn flag of Peru

PERU

Official name: Republic of Peru

Pronunciation: pr-oo

Capital: Lima

Official language: Spanish

Location: Along the western coastline right at the equator and in the Southern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, and Chile

Most known for: Machu Picchu

Fun fact: Having the world’s highest sand dune, standing at 3,860 feet tall. It can be found at Cerro Blanco

Recent news article: Bubblegum Soda, Fried Rice, and Unexpected Fusion: Peru’s China Food Culture (Tanya Fraser, 2025)

My knowledge: Slightly familiar

My hand-drawn flag of Suriname

SURINAME

Official name: The Republic of Suriname

Pronunciation: sur-uh-naam

Capital: Paramaribo

Official language: Dutch

Location: On the Southeastern coast of South America in the Northern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Suriname and Brazil

Most known for: Its rainforests

Fun fact: The capital of Paramaribo has the only cinema

Recent news article: Suriname marks 50 years of independence with cultural showcase (Staboek News, 2025)

My knowledge: Not much

My hand-drawn flag of Uruguay

URUGUAY

Official name: The Oriental Republic of Uruguay

Pronunciation: yur-uh-gwai

Capital: Montevideo

Official language: Spanish

Location: On the Southeastern coast in South America within the Southern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Argentina and Brazil

Most known for: It’s laid back vibes

Fun fact: Birthplace of the first World Cup

Recent news article: Uruguay’s Best Coastal Towns to Visit (Georgia Mizen, 2025)

My knowledge: I’m not too familiar

My hand-drawn flag of Venezuela

VENEZUELA

Official name: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

Pronunciation: veh-nuhz-wayy-luhn

Capital: Caracas

Official language: Spanish

Location: Along the Northern coast of South America in the Northern Hemisphere

Surrounding countries: Colombia, Brazil, and Guyana

Most known for: Its professional baseball players

Fun fact: Has the world’s tallest uninterrupted waterfall from Mount Roraima

Recent news article: Caracas Reimagined: How a Venezuelan Artist Captures a ‘Lunatic City’ (Rebeca Medina, 2025)

My knowledge: More familiar from Venezuela from a sports perspective

As we close out this final leg of the Around the World journey, once and for all, the rivers and rainforests of South America remind us that the most powerful stories are often whispered, not shouted. They’re written in tree rings, carried in river tides, and passed from voice to voice. Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela each offer something rare: not just breathtaking beauty, but a sense of awe that shifts your inner compass.

If this is your first post or your 30th, take a moment to revisit “Just the Beginning,” the series hub that links every chapter of this journey. And if you’ve lived in, traveled to, or dreamt of visiting any of these countries, I'd love to hear your stories. Let’s keep exploring, because even when the map ends, curiosity doesn’t.

Thank you to everyone who read these posts. While I still have so much more to learn about the world, amidst my own journey, it’s been fun learning more about countries that I wasn’t all that familiar with.

Still expect to see a new post the next two Monday’s: December 22nd and December 29th, There will be giveaway’s and shorter posts. In the meantime, I hope you continue to take adventures! See you, Monday!

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.***

Ever notice how two people can experience the same situation and walk away with completely different opinions? 🤔 To one person it’s no big deal while another has a whole story to tell. And somewhere in between there’s usually an inter
Ever notice how two people can experience the same situation and walk away with completely different opinions? 🤔 To one person it’s no big deal while another has a whole story to tell. And somewhere in between there’s usually an interesting conversation waiting to happen 😂 To A Point, Chapter 2 of my November series, As We Go, is now available! This week, we’re getting into some of those everyday moments that make us think twice. Are you someone who speaks your mind right away, or do you like to think things through first? • •• ••• •••• ••••• •••• ••• •• • #MeaningfulConnections #PersonalGrowth #KindnessMatters #CommunicationSkills #SelfReflection
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
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 unexpectedly earn a spot on our favorites list And sometimes, we surprise ourselves 🩷 More or Less, the first chapter of my November series, As We Go, is now available! Come see what I’ve been thinking about lately What’s something you’ve grown to appreciate more as you’ve gotten older? • •• ••• •••• ••••• •••• ••• •• • #PersonalGrowth #SelfDiscovery #MindfulLiving #LifeLessons #FindingJoy
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
Ever notice how two people can experience the same situation and walk away with completely different opinions? 🤔 To one person it’s no big deal while another has a whole story to tell. And somewhere in between there’s usually an inter 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
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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