function photo(i,c,m,q,d,j,h,o,p,a,l,f,k,b,r,n,g,e){this.id=i;this.galleries_id=c;this.photo_ref=m;this.section_code=q;this.src=d;this.width=j;this.height=h;this.caption=o;this.home=p;this.gallery=a;this.description=l;this.takendate=f;this.photographer=k;this.location=b;this.item_price=r;this.purchase_instruction=n;this.payment_groups_id=g;this.server_id=e;this.src=getServerPath(this.server_id)+"/"+this.src}function gallery(e,c,d,b,a){this.id=e;this.featured_images=c;this.title=d;this.section_code=b;this.photoIDs=a}var backgrounds=new Object();backgrounds[6425818]=new photo(6425818,"261743","Recent6425818","gallery","QoyllurRiti2010D380.jpg",400,266,"Qoyllur Riti festival, near Cusco",0,0,'Indigenous leaders descend from the glaciers after performing rituals to the mountain spirits or apus at the Qoyllur Riti festival. A unique event, Qoyllur Riti takes place shortly before Corpus Christi in the high Andes near Cusco.<br>\r\n<br>\r\nPlease click on this link to see more <a href="http://www.photographersdirect.com/brunker/search.asp?search=qoyllur+riti&maximages=60">Qoyllur Riti stock photography images</a>. You can use the searchable database facility to refine your search.',"","","Ocongate region, near Cusco, Peru","","","",18);backgrounds[6425868]=new photo(6425868,"261743","Recent6425868","gallery","QoyllurRiti2010D141.jpg",400,266,"Qoyllur Riti festival, near Cusco",0,0,'Dancers in colourful traditional dress at the Qoyllur Riti festival. A unique event, Qoyllur Riti takes place shortly before Corpus Christi in the high Andes near Cusco.<br>\r\n<br>\r\nPlease click on this link to see more <a href="http://www.photographersdirect.com/brunker/search.asp?search=qoyllur+riti&maximages=60">Qoyllur Riti stock photography images</a>. You can use the searchable database facility to refine your search.',"","","Ocongate region, near Cusco, Peru","","","",18);backgrounds[6425870]=new photo(6425870,"261743","Recent6425870","gallery","Ollantaytambo2010D167.JPG",400,266,"Inti Punku and Mt Veronica",0,0,'This spectacular little Inca temple is found on a hilltop high above the village of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. Mountain worship was very important to the Incas, this site was obviously used for ceremonial purposes.<br>\r\n<br>\r\nPlease click on this link to see more <a href="http://www.photographersdirect.com/brunker/search.asp?search=cusco+mountain&maximages=60">Cusco mountain stock photography images</a>. You can use the searchable database facility to refine your search.',"","","Ollantaytambo, near Cusco, Peru","","","",18);backgrounds[6425876]=new photo(6425876,"261743","Recent6425876","gallery","IntiRaymi2010D85.JPG",400,266,"Warriors at Inti Raymi festival, Cusco",0,0,'Amazonian warriors parade through the streets of Cusco during the Inti Raymi festival. One of Peru\'s best known festivals, Inti Raymi is a re-enactment of the Inca winter solstice celebrations and takes place on 24th June.<br>\r\n<br>\r\nPlease click on this link to see more <a href="http://www.photographersdirect.com/brunker/search.asp?search=inti+raymi&maximages=60">Inti Raymi stock photography images</a>. You can use the searchable database facility to refine your search.',"","","Cusco, Peru","","","",18);backgrounds[6425880]=new photo(6425880,"261743","Recent6425880","gallery","Cusco2010D55.JPG",400,266,"Inca stonework, Cusco",0,0,'Inca stonework in the centre of Cusco. The Incas were master masons and much of their work survives in the centre of Cusco. <br>\r\n<br>\r\nPlease click on this link to see more <a href="http://www.photographersdirect.com/brunker/search.asp?search=cusco+inca&maximages=60">Inca Cusco stock photography images</a>. You can use the searchable database facility to refine your search.',"","","Cusco, Peru","","","",18);backgrounds[6425886]=new photo(6425886,"261743","Recent6425886","gallery","Pampamarca2010D15.JPG",400,266,"Donkeys and election propaganda",0,0,'Donkeys carrying fodder cross the main square in the highland village of Pampamarca, near Cusco. The rustic houses in the background are covered in election propaganda from previous elections.<br>\r\n<br>\r\nPlease click on this link to see more <a href="http://www.photographersdirect.com/brunker/search.asp?search=cusco+rural&maximages=60">Cusco rural life stock photography images</a>. You can use the searchable database facility to refine your search.',"","","Pampamarca, near Cusco, Peru","","","",18);backgrounds[6425890]=new photo(6425890,"261743","Recent6425890","gallery","QoyllurRiti2010D81.jpg",400,266,"Qoyllur Riti festival, near Cusco",0,0,'Musicians accompany a large group of pilgrims arriving for the Qoyllur Riti festival. A unique event, Qoyllur Riti takes place shortly before Corpus Christi in the high Andes near Cusco.<br>\r\n<br>\r\nPlease click on this link to see more <a href="http://www.photographersdirect.com/brunker/search.asp?search=qoyllur+riti&maximages=60">Qoyllur Riti stock photography images</a>. You can use the searchable database facility to refine your search.',"","","Ocongate region, near Cusco, Peru","","","",18);backgrounds[6425961]=new photo(6425961,"261743","Recent6425961","gallery","CorpusCristiCUS2010D203.jpg",400,266,"Corpus Christi festival, Cusco",0,0,'Devotees lead the parade of the Virgen of the Nativity around the Plaza de Armas in Cusco, which is renowned for its large and colourful Corpus Christ celebrations. <br>\r\n<br>\r\nPlease click on this link to see more <a href="http://www.photographersdirect.com/brunker/search.asp?search=corpus+christi+cusco&maximages=60">Corpus Christi stock photography images</a>. You can use the searchable database facility to refine your search.',"","","Cusco, Peru","","","",18);backgrounds[6425964]=new photo(6425964,"261743","Recent6425964","gallery","ChincheroMkt2010D23.JPG",400,266,"Lady serving chicha, Chinchero market",0,0,'A lady serves chicha at Chinchero market, near Cusco. This pink variety is made from quinoa and the airampu fruit which gives it the colour.<br>\r\n<br>\r\nPlease click on this link to see more <a href="http://www.photographersdirect.com/brunker/search.asp?search=cusco+market&maximages=60">Cusco market stock photography images</a> that have recently been added. You can use the searchable database facility to refine your search.',"","","Chinchero, near Cusco, Peru","","","",18);backgrounds[6425965]=new photo(6425965,"261743","Recent6425965","gallery","Ollantaytambo2010D77.JPG",400,266,"Aerial view of Ollantaytambo",0,0,'Ollantaytambo was one of the most important Inca sites and settlements in the Cusco region. The Sacred Valley is very fertile and a major agricultural area. <br>\r\n<br>\r\nPlease click on this link to see more <a href="http://www.photographersdirect.com/brunker/search.asp?search=ollantaytambo&maximages=60">Ollantaytambo stock photography images</a>. You can use the searchable database facility to refine your search.',"","","Ollantaytambo, near Cusco, Peru","","","",18);backgrounds[6425967]=new photo(6425967,"261743","Recent6425967","gallery","Willoq2010D32.JPG",400,266,"Satellite phone dish in the Andes",0,0,'A satellite phone dish provides connection to the outside world in a rustic hamlet in the high Andes near Cusco.<br>\r\n<br>\r\nPlease click on this link to see more <a href="http://www.photographersdirect.com/brunker/search.asp?search=cusco+rural&maximages=60">Cusco rural life stock photography images</a>. You can use the searchable database facility to refine your search.',"","","near Cusco, Peru","","","",18);backgrounds[138211]=new photo(138211,"12725","Wildlife138211","gallery","Vicuña1.jpg",400,272,"Vicuñas grazing",1,0,"Smallest, rarest and most beautiful of the South American cameloids, vicuñas (<i>Vicugna vicugna</i>) were hunted almost to extinction for their wool, some of the finest on the planet (even more so than alpaca wool). So fine that in Inca times its use was only permitted for the royal family. Now fully protected, then can be seen in herds on the high altiplano in southern Peru, Bolivia and northern Chile.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[227919]=new photo(227919,"12725","Wildlife227919","gallery","GreyFox11.jpg",400,267,"Patagonian Grey Fox",0,0,"The Patagonian Grey Fox (<i>Pseudalopex griseus</i>) is a common mammal in Patagonian regions. This very cooperative specimen was photographed in the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[227924]=new photo(227924,"12725","Wildlife227924","gallery","Galapagos28.jpg",400,270,"Young Galapagos Sealion",0,0,"A young Galapagos sealion enjoys a nap on the Galapagos islands. Sealions are common along the coasts of South America, where they can form huge and odourous colonies.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[227970]=new photo(227970,"12725","Wildlife227970","gallery","Penguin23.jpg",400,267,"Magellanic Penguin",0,0,"Close up of an adult Magellanic Penguin (<i>Spheniscus magellanicus</i>) at Punto Tombo, Argentina. Punto Tombo is South America's largest continental penguin colony; numbers can peak at around 750,000. The pink patch around the eye and beak identifies an adult bird.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[227982]=new photo(227982,"12725","Wildlife227982","gallery","Penguin31.jpg",400,267,"Magellanic Penguin moulting",0,0,"Close up of a juvenile Magellanic Penguin (<i>Spheniscus magellanicus</i>) moulting into adult plumage at Punto Tombo, Argentina. Punto Tombo is South America's largest continental penguin colony; numbers can peak at around 750,000. ","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[3556520]=new photo(3556520,"145155","Amazon3556520","gallery","BolFrog1.jpg",400,267,"White lined tree frog",1,0,"A white lined tree frog (<i>Phyllomedusa camba</i>) takes a break from night hunting. It is one of the commonest tree frog species found in the Amazon rainforests.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[3556522]=new photo(3556522,"145155","Amazon3556522","gallery","Hoatzin5.jpg",400,268,"Hoatzins",1,0,"A pair of hoatzins (<i>Opisthocomus hoazin</i>) rest in a tree. The only species in its family, the hoatzin resembles the prehistoric archaeopteryx as much as any living species. It is the world's only totally herbivorous bird and has a stomach system resembling a cows and full of bacteria to break down the celulose in the leaves it eats. This extra weight makes it an extremely clumsy flier and means it gives off an unpleasant odour!","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[3556525]=new photo(3556525,"145155","Amazon3556525","gallery","Jaguar7.jpg",400,267,"Jaguar",1,0,"The jaguar (<i>Panthera onca</i>) is the largest and most powerful big cat found in the western hemisphere. It is a strong swimmer and is most often seen resting on river banks in the rainforest. It was revered as a deity by many pre Colombian civilisations, most notably the Mayas.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[5212386]=new photo(5212386,"261742","Reportage5212386","gallery","LaPazElections2009D15.JPG",400,266,"Young girl celebrates Evo Morales' re-election as president",0,0,'A young girl waves the Bolivian flag in Plaza Murillo to celebrate Evo Morales\' re-election as president with 60%+ of the vote, 6th December 2009. Please click on this link to see the new <a href=" http://www.photographersdirect.com/brunker/search.asp?search=election+2009&maximages=40">Bolivian presidential election stock photography images</a>that have recently been uploaded. You can use the searchable database facility to refine your search.',"06/12/09","","","","","",18);backgrounds[5212387]=new photo(5212387,"261742","Reportage5212387","gallery","LaPazElections2009D17.JPG",400,266,"Evo Morales on balcony on his re-election as president",0,0,'President Evo Morales (L) and vice president Alvaro Garcia Linera on balcony of Presidential Palace to celebrate Evo\'s re-election as president with 60%+ of the vote, 6th December 2009. Please click on this link to see the new <a href=" http://www.photographersdirect.com/brunker/search.asp?search=election+2009&maximages=40">Bolivian presidential election stock photography images</a>that have recently been uploaded. You can use the searchable database facility to refine your search.',"06/12/09","","","","","",18);backgrounds[5212391]=new photo(5212391,"261742","Reportage5212391","gallery","LaPazElections2009D21.JPG",400,266,"Evo Morales' victory speech",0,0,'Vice president Alvaro Garcia Linera (R) and minister David Choquehuanca (L) applaud during President Evo Morales\' victory speech  on balcony of Presidential Palace. Evo has just been re-elected as president with 60%+ of the vote, 6th December 2009. Please click on this link to see the new <a href=" http://www.photographersdirect.com/brunker/search.asp?search=election+2009&maximages=40">Bolivian presidential election stock photography images</a>that have recently been uploaded. You can use the searchable database facility to refine your search.',"06/12/09","","","","","",18);backgrounds[4490911]=new photo(4490911,"261742","Reportage4490911","gallery","BolPeople117.jpg",400,267,"Marching miners",0,0,"Miners march to Plaza Murillo to pressurize Congress into approving the date for a referendum on a new constitution. The referendum took place on 25 January 2009, with an approx 60% vote in favour.","20/10/08","","","","","",18);backgrounds[4491019]=new photo(4491019,"261742","Reportage4491019","gallery","LaPazMisc2009D2.JPG",400,266,"MAS party mural",0,0,'An Aymara lady or "cholita" walks past an elaborate political mural outside a MAS ("Movimiento al Socialismo") party office. MAS is the political party of current Bolivian president Evo Morales.',"18/06/09","","","","","",18);backgrounds[4491148]=new photo(4491148,"261742","Reportage4491148","gallery","BolIndDay2009D65.JPG",400,266,"Mass for the police, Independence Day 2009",0,0,"Mass is held in the cathedral for the police force before the Independence Day parades. The Virgen of Copacabana is the patron saint of the police and also Bolivia.","06/08/09","","","","","",18);backgrounds[133774]=new photo(133774,"12255","MAPI133774","gallery","mapi137.jpg",400,270,"Rainbows at Machu Picchu",1,0,"Rainbows were considered sacred by the Incas and are frequently seen at Machu Picchu. Here a fine double rainbow rises from the depths of the Urubamba canyon on a stormy afternoon.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[134091]=new photo(134091,"12255","MAPI134091","gallery","mapi3.jpg",400,265,"Machu Picchu Panorama",0,0,"The classic view of the Inca city, as mid morning cloud starts to build up over the Urubamba canyon and surrounding peaks of the Cordillera Vilcanota.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[134105]=new photo(134105,"12255","MAPI134105","gallery","mapi47.jpg",400,266,"Machu Picchu and bromeliad",1,0,"Bromeliads are native to the Americas where several hundred species can be found, many along the Inca Trail and in the Machu Picchu area. This particular species is unusual as it has a deep bottle green coloured flower.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[134109]=new photo(134109,"12255","MAPI134109","gallery","mapi48.jpg",400,266,"End of the Inca Trail",1,0,"Few treks finish at such a spectacular location, one reason why the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is justly famous and the most popular hike in South America","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[134112]=new photo(134112,"12255","MAPI134112","gallery","mapi51.jpg",400,261,"Machu Picchu Panorama",0,0,"The classic view of the famous Inca site, showing the main entrance on the left hand side and its situation on a steep ridge above the Urubamba canyon. The River Urubamba can just be seen at the foot of Huayna Picchu mountain, some 400m below the site.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[134113]=new photo(134113,"12255","MAPI134113","gallery","mapi106.jpg",400,266,"Aerial view of Machu Picchu",0,0,"Aerial view of the Inca city, seen from the summit of Huayna Picchu mountain. Some theories suggest that Machu Picchu was laid out in the form of a condor when seen from above (the head at top right and open wings at the bottom, you then have to turn the image upside down). Whatever your opinion its a great view!","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[134118]=new photo(134118,"12255","MAPI134118","gallery","mapi38.jpg",400,266,"Inca Houses",0,0,"Terracing and steep pitched gables were hallmarks of Inca architecture, very necessary in wet tropical mountain regions such as where Machu Picchu is situated.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136220]=new photo(136220,"171511","PeruRuins136220","gallery","WiñayWayna7.jpg",400,270,"Wiñay Wayna",1,0,"Arguably the most beautiful site along the Inca Trail, Wiñay Wayna is a couple of hours from Machu Picchu and demonstrates the Inca genius for fitting their cities into the surrounding mountainside. It is thought to have been an important ceremonial centre.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[641143]=new photo(641143,"171511","PeruMts641143","gallery","Salcantay7.jpg",400,270,"Mt. Salcantay",1,0,'Close up of the awesome south-east face of Mt. Salcantay, which at 6271m / 20,575ft is the highest peak in the Inca Trail region. Salcantay means "Wild mountain" due the the number of avalanches that crash down its steep faces and has only ever been climbed once, by a Japanese team (who cheated?!) using suction pads. ',"","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2757881]=new photo(2757881,"171511","Trail2757881","gallery","WiñayWayna10.jpg",400,270,"Wiñay Wayna waterfall",1,0,"This beautiful waterfall is found in the steep valley behind the Wiñay Wayna site. Waters from this stream feed a fine set of fountains used for water worship in the site, which was an important ceremonial centre.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136171]=new photo(136171,"12258","PeruRuins136171","gallery","Choque14.jpg",400,261,"Choquequirao",1,0,'Panoramic view of the Inca site of Choquequirao. Choquequirao means "cradle of gold" in Quechua and sits high on a ridge above the Apurimac river in a remote part of the Cordillera Vilcabamba. It is thought to have been built by Topa Inca, Pachacuti\'s sucessor and investigation suggests it may still have been occupied at the time of the Spanish conquest.',"","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136178]=new photo(136178,"12258","PeruRuins136178","gallery","Choque3.jpg",400,265,"Choquequirao",1,0,'View of the main plaza of the Inca site of Choquequirao. Choquequirao means "cradle of gold" in Quechua and sits high on a ridge above the Apurimac river in a remote part of the Cordillera Vilcabamba. It is thought to have been built by Topa Inca, Pachacuti\'s sucessor and investigation suggests it may still have been occupied at the time of the Spanish conquest.',"","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136181]=new photo(136181,"12258","PeruRuins136181","gallery","Choque12.jpg",400,262,"Choquequirao",0,0,'View of the main plaza and terracing of the Inca site of Choquequirao. Choquequirao means "cradle of gold" in Quechua and sits high on a ridge above the Apurimac river in a remote part of the Cordillera Vilcabamba. It is thought to have been built by Topa Inca, Pachacuti\'s sucessor and investigation suggests it may still have been occupied at the time of the Spanish conquest.',"","","","","","",18);backgrounds[642635]=new photo(642635,"12258","Architecture642635","gallery","cusco3.jpg",400,257,"Compañia de Jesus church",1,0,"Much of the centre of Cusco is built over the Inca original; the current main square or Plaza de Armas sits over the original and much larger Inca square known as Huacaypata. It is particularly beautiful at night. The Compañia de Jesus church was built by Jesuits and has an ornate façade and was built over the site of the palace of the Inca Huayna Capac (known as Amarucancha: Palace of the Serpents) in the late 17th century.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[642636]=new photo(642636,"12258","Architecture642636","gallery","cusco4.jpg",400,261,"Coricancha / Sun Temple",1,0,"Cusco was once the capital of the Inca empire and the focus of Spanish attempts to subjugate the Incas when they arrived in the city in 1533; there were several battles until the Inca rebellion was finally put down with the execution of Tupac Amaru in 1572. Much of the city centre is built over the Inca original. This is perhaps best seen here where the Santo Domingo church and monastery has been built over the Inca foundations of the Coricancha or Sun Temple, once the most important temple in the Inca empire. The Inca stonework has remained unmoved despite many earthquakes; the colonial church has been rebuilt several times however, the last after a major earthquake in 1950.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136226]=new photo(136226,"12258","PeruRuins136226","gallery","maras3.jpg",400,266,"Inca salt terraces at Maras",1,0,"Undoubtably the most unusual site in the Sacred Valley are the salt teraces at Maras. Water from a saturated salty spring has been channelled through a series of terraces and evaporation pans some 1km in length along the side of a steep valley. Salt is still collected in the same manner today by a local run co-operative.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[641146]=new photo(641146,"12258","PeruMts641146","gallery","ChinPlateau38.jpg",400,267,"Mt. Veronica",1,0,"Mt. Veronica, at 5680m / 18,635ft, is the highest peak in the Cordillera Urubamba range close to Cusco. Its Quechua name, Wakay Willca, means “Sacred Tears”. Although not the highest range in Peru it still offers impressive scenery and many traditional Quechua speaking villages. This view was taken from the Chinchero plateau on the other side of the Urubamba River, heavily farmed and offering a wonderful array of patchwork quilt fields whose colours vary with the seasons.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136566]=new photo(136566,"12259","PeruMts136566","gallery","Chacraraju1.jpg",400,270,"Mt. Chacraraju",1,0,"The beautiful double peaked Mt. Chacraraju (6112m / 20,050ft) is one of the hardest climbs in the Cordillera Blanca due to its near vertical ice faces.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[1619068]=new photo(1619068,"12259","PeruMts1619068","gallery","Huandoy29.jpg",400,267,"Mt Huandoy",1,0,"The four peaks of Huandoy provide plenty of climbing options for keen mountaineers. Here a climber admires the East (centre, 6395m / 20,980ft) and North (right, 6000m / 19,680ft) peaks soon after sunrise.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[1619073]=new photo(1619073,"12259","PeruMts1619073","gallery","Auquiscocha11.jpg",400,268,"Mt Hualcan",0,0,"Close up of the ice on snow formations of the main peak of Hualcan (6125m / 20,090ft) in the central Cordillera Blanca.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[1619080]=new photo(1619080,"12259","PeruMts1619080","gallery","Huascaran8.jpg",400,267,"Mt Huascaran",1,0,"Peru’s highest peak, Huascaran (6768m / 22,200ft) dominates the Callejon de Huaylas to the north of Huaraz. Soils in the lower valleys are very fertile and continue to be farmed by Quechua people as they have been for centuries.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[1619089]=new photo(1619089,"12259","PeruMts1619089","gallery","Huandoy17.jpg",400,267,"Mt Huandoy",1,0,"The four peaks of Huandoy provide plenty of climbing options for keen mountaineers. Here the sunrise turns the beautiful ice formations of the North peak (6000m / 19,680ft) a delicate pink.<br>\r\n<br>\r\n","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2760123]=new photo(2760123,"12259","Blanca2760123","gallery","Chopicalqui9.jpg",400,267,"Mt Chopicalqui",1,0,"Chopicalqui (6354m / 20,845ft) is one of several 6000m peaks that surround the Llanganuco valley and a popular climb for its views across to neighbouring Huascaran (Peru's highest peak) to the south.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[3522418]=new photo(3522418,"171513","Canyons3522418","gallery","Colca5.jpg",400,270,"Colonial church at Coporaque, Colca Canyon",1,0,"In colonial times the Spanish discovered many silver mines in the Colca region; it was wealthier and more populated then than it is now. Beautiful old churches in many villages in the region are a reminder of this past, the one at Coporaque is a fine example.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[3522414]=new photo(3522414,"171513","Canyons3522414","gallery","Colca2.jpg",400,266,"Pre-Inca terracing, Colca Canyon",1,0,"The Colca region has a long history and is noted for its fabulous agricultural terracing. These were built probably before the Incas moved into the region.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136562]=new photo(136562,"171513","PeruMts136562","gallery","Ampato1.jpg",400,262,"Ampato volcano",1,0,'The flat topped Ampato volcano (6288m / 20,630ft) is the highest peak in the immediate vicinity of the Colca Canyon. It became world famous when on 8 September 1995 a National Geographic funded expedition led by Johan Reinhard discovered a perfectly preserved Inca mummy, now known as "Juanita", just below the summit. In the foreground is Lake Mucurca, popular with flamingoes.',"","","","","","",18);backgrounds[3522507]=new photo(3522507,"171513","Canyons3522507","gallery","Cotahuasi1.jpg",400,267,"Cactus forest at sunset, Cotahuasi Canyon",1,0,"Cacti forests are a notable feature of the Cotahuasi Canyon; the succulents grow to several metres in height and some species produce a juicy lime-like fruit, very refreshing after a days hiking in the desert heat!!","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[3522524]=new photo(3522524,"171513","Canyons3522524","gallery","Cotahuasi57.jpg",400,267,"Quechua lady and donkey, Cotahuasi Canyon",1,0,"A Quechua lady and her donkey follow the trail down the Cotahuasi Canyon to their village. People have used this route for centuries; the canyon used to be a major Inca route from Cusco to the Pacific coast and you can still use sections of this road and see ruins from the period.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[642644]=new photo(642644,"171516","Architecture642644","gallery","Trujillo36.jpg",400,267,"Trujillo",1,0,"Trujillo contains some of Peru's most beautiful and distinctive colonial architecture, in a very different style to the highland towns. It is particularly noted for its elegant doorways and windows, such as these on the Archbishop’s Palace. The town was founded in 1534 by conquistador Diego de Almagro and named after the town in Spain where Francisco Pizarro, leader of the Inca conquest, was born. ","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[642647]=new photo(642647,"171516","Architecture642647","gallery","Trujillo58.jpg",400,267,"Trujillo",0,0,"Trujillo contains some of Peru's most beautiful and distinctive colonial architecture, in a very different style to the highland towns. It is particularly noted for its elegant doorways and windows, such as these on the mansions surrounding the Plaza de Armas. The town was founded in 1534 by conquistador Diego de Almagro and named after the town in Spain where Francisco Pizarro, leader of the Inca conquest, was born. ","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[641139]=new photo(641139,"171516","PeruRuins641139","gallery","HuacaLuna19.jpg",400,267,"Huaca de la Luna",1,0,'Detail of a frieze showing the main deity of the Mochica culture “Ai Apaec”, also known as “The Decapitator”, as he appears to have been honoured by rituals involving human sacrifice. Variations of this figure are the main theme of these spectacular friezes, discovered in an almost perfect state of preservation in the Huaca de la Luna (Temple of the Moon) pyramid close to Trujillo. Little was known of social structure of the Moche culture (apart from the obviously advanced nature of their society and their amazing skills as goldsmiths and potters) until the spectacular discoveries in the late 1980’s at Sipan, to the north of Trujillo. These included the untouched tomb of a Moche ruler known as the Lord of Sipan which was described as the Tutankhamun of the Americas. For more details please visit the website of <a href="http://www.huacas.com"> Las Huacas del Sol y de la Luna (in English)</a>',"","","","","","",18);backgrounds[4415862]=new photo(4415862,"171549","People4415862","gallery","Paucartambo2009D59.JPG",400,266,"Kapac Negro dancers, Paucartambo",0,0,"Many of the dances and masks at the Virgen del Carmen festival in Paucartambo are parodies of the Spanish conquistadores and colonial leaders. The Kapac Negros represent slaves brought over from Africa to work especially in sugar and other agricultural plantions in the Amazon lowlands.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[4415864]=new photo(4415864,"171549","People4415864","gallery","Paucartambo2009D170.JPG",400,266,"Saqra devils, Paucartambo",0,0,"The Virgen del Carmen is celebrated in many Andean villages on July 16th. One of the most notable festivals in her honour is at Paucartambo, near Cusco. During her parade around the village she is taunted by devils (saqras) who dance on the balconies and rooftops.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[143389]=new photo(143389,"171549","People143389","gallery","PeruPeople15.jpg",400,266,"Quechua mother and baby",0,0,"A Quechua lady and her baby from the village of Willoq, in the mountains above Ollantaytambo near Cusco. The Quechua people are the main indigenous race in Peru and also one of the main ethnic groups in Ecuador and Bolivia; Quechua was the language of the Inca empire and is also the second official language of the Republic of Peru.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[143393]=new photo(143393,"171549","People143393","gallery","PeruPeople9.jpg",400,273,"Young quechua girl",0,0,"A young Quechua girl from the village of Willoq, in the mountains above Ollantaytambo near Cusco. The Quechua people are the main indigenous race in Peru and also one of the main ethnic groups in Ecuador and Bolivia; Quechua was the language of the Inca empire and is also the second official language of the Republic of Peru.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[4415869]=new photo(4415869,"171549","People4415869","gallery","Taquile2009D6.JPG",400,266,"Men on Taquile Island",0,0,'Quechua men from Taquile Island (L Titicaca) in traditional dress dip into their bags (chuspa) of coca leaves while chatting, a regular daily practice.<br>\r\n<br>\r\nFor more information on visiting Taquile Island and trip packages visit the <a href="http://www.taquile.net/eng/">Taquile Island Community Based Travel Agency website</a>. Owned and managed by the islanders rather than outsiders, its a great way to support this unique island community.<br>\r\n',"","","","","","",18);backgrounds[4415884]=new photo(4415884,"171549","People4415884","gallery","TaquileFestival2009D32.JPG",400,266,"Suri sikuri musicians, Taquile Island",0,0,'Suri sikuri musicians parade around the main square of the village on Taquile Island (L Titicaca) during the festival celebrating their patron saint, San Santiago.<br>\r\n<br>\r\nFor more information on visiting Taquile Island and trip packages visit the <a href="http://www.taquile.net/eng/">Taquile Island Community Based Travel Agency website</a>. Owned and managed by the islanders rather than outsiders, its a great way to support this unique island community.<br>\r\n',"","","","","","",18);backgrounds[4415887]=new photo(4415887,"171549","People4415887","gallery","TaquileFestival2009D76.JPG",400,266,"Musicians, Taquile Island",0,0,'Musicians parade around the main square of the village on Taquile Island (L Titicaca) during the festival celebrating their patron saint, San Santiago.<br>\r\n<br>\r\nFor more information on visiting Taquile Island and trip packages visit the <a href="http://www.taquile.net/eng/">Taquile Island Community Based Travel Agency website</a>. Owned and managed by the islanders rather than outsiders, its a great way to support this unique island community.<br>\r\n',"","","","","","",18);backgrounds[4415888]=new photo(4415888,"171549","People4415888","gallery","TaquileFestival2009D135.JPG",400,266,"Woman's pollera, Taquile Island",0,0,'Detail of the multi coloured layers and folds of the traditional skirts (polleras) worn by some women on Taquile Island (L Titicaca) during the festival celebrating their patron saint, San Santiago.<br>\r\n<br>\r\nFor more information on visiting Taquile Island and trip packages visit the <a href="http://www.taquile.net/eng/">Taquile Island Community Based Travel Agency website</a>. Owned and managed by the islanders rather than outsiders, its a great way to support this unique island community.<br>\r\n',"","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2763368]=new photo(2763368,"12260","Titicaca2763368","gallery","Titicaca95.jpg",400,267,"Inner Lake and Mt Chachacomani",1,0,"A view across the Inner Lake on a stormy afternoon towards the Cordillera Real. The main peak in the image is Mt Chachacomani (6000m / 19,680ft).","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2763372]=new photo(2763372,"12260","Titicaca2763372","gallery","Titicaca136.jpg",400,267,"Sailing boat and Mt Chearoco",1,0,"Another view of the Inner Lake, with a local fishing boat passing in front of Mt Chearoco (6104m / 20,025ft).","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2763374]=new photo(2763374,"12260","Titicaca3763374","gallery","Titicaca131.jpg",400,267,"Puerto Perez",1,0,"Peace and calm in the shallows near Puerto Perez, with the peaks of the central part of the Cordillera Real in the background. Puerto Perez was briefly Bolivia's main port for shipping exports to Peru after it lost its coastline and before roads and railways were built; now it is a sleepy farming and fishing community. ","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[134950]=new photo(134950,"12260","Titicaca134950","gallery","Titicaca48.jpg",400,266,"Moon Island",1,0,"The red earth cliffs of the Island of the Moon glow in the late afternoon sun, as seen from the nearby Island of the Sun. Both islands feature prominently in local and Inca creation mythology. The peaks of the northern part of the Cordillera Real can be seen in the distance.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2934546]=new photo(2934546,"12260","Titicaca2934546","gallery","Titicaca115.jpg",400,270,"Moon Island",1,0,"Dramatic dawn skies over Moon Island, seen from the nearby Sun Island. Both islands occupy an important place in a wide range of Inca and older legends. ","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[134951]=new photo(134951,"12260","Titicaca134951","gallery","Titicaca51.jpg",400,270,"Sailing boat and Mt. Ancohuma",1,0,"Another view of the Inner Lake, with a local fishing boat about to pass in front of Bolivia`s third highest peak.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[134944]=new photo(134944,"12260","Titicaca134944","gallery","Titicaca32.jpg",400,266,"The Inner Lake",1,0,"View across the Inner Lake, or Lago Interior to the Cordillera Real. The Inner Lake is a large shallow stretch of water almost entirely separated from the main lake by the Copacabana peninsular; only the Straits of Tiquina connect them. Due to its shallowness tortora reed grow in profusion and have been used by villagers for millenia. The two main peaks in the image are Chearoco (6104m / 20,025ft, L) and Chachacomani (6000m / 19,685ft, R).","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[229052]=new photo(229052,"12260","Titicaca229052","gallery","Titicaca9.jpg",400,266,"Sun Island",1,0,"Panorama from Sun Island across Lake Titicaca to the Cordillera Real. Sun Island is the largest island in the Lake and contains an important place in local creation legends; Inca legend also tells how it was the birthplace of the first Inca.  ","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[229065]=new photo(229065,"12260","Titicaca229065","gallery","Tortora2.jpg",400,262,"Tortora reed boat",0,0,"Boats built out of tortora reeds have been used for millenia by the people who lived on the shores of the Lake and are still used today. They can easily be seen on the Inner Lake and also around the floating reed Uros Islands near Puno, Peru.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[1028265]=new photo(1028265,"12262","Salar1028265","gallery","Salar136.jpg",400,267,"Salt hexagons at sunset",1,0,"View across the vast expanse of the Salar de Uyuni at sunset, with the Tunupa volcano on the horizon. The hexagonal patterns are formed as the salt crystallises when water evaporates from the surface. The salt varies in depth from 2 to 20m, beneath is a reservoir of super saturated salt solution","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136983]=new photo(136983,"12262","Salar136983","gallery","Salar14.jpg",400,270,"Cave and cacti",1,0,"Giant cacti silhouetted in the mouth of a cave on Incashuasi Island (sometimes mistakenly called Fish Island). The island is formed of volcanic rock covered with coral-like formations and sedimentary layers; consistent with the theory that the Salar is a remnant (as is Lake Titicaca) of a much larger lake called Minchin by geologists that covered the entire altiplano millenia ago. In the background is the Tunupa volcano (5368m / 17,715ft), the salt lake is also known by locals as the Salar de Tunupa.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136986]=new photo(136986,"12262","Salar136986","gallery","Salar17.jpg",400,269,"Giant cacti, Incahuasi Island",1,0,"Giant cacti cover the surface of Incahuasi Island (sometimes mistakenly called Fish Island) in the centre of the Salar. It is estimated that they grow at around 1cm/year on average; the tallest specimen on the island is over 12 tall.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[138694]=new photo(138694,"12262","Salar138694","gallery","Salar21.jpg",400,270,"Rock Arch, Incahuasi Island",0,0,"A natural rock arch, one of several curious formations on Incashuasi Island (sometimes mistakenly called Fish Island). The island is formed of volcanic rock covered with coral-like formations and sedimentary layers; consistent with the theory that the Salar is a remnant (as is Lake Titicaca) of a much larger lake called Minchin by geologists that covered the entire altiplano millenia ago. ","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[1028266]=new photo(1028266,"12262","Salar1028266","gallery","Salar176.jpg",400,267,"Giant cacti at dawn",1,0,"Giant cacti cover the surface of Incahuasi Island (sometimes mistakenly called Fish Island) in the centre of the Salar. It is estimated that they grow at around 1cm/year on average; the tallest specimen on the island is over 12 tall.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136991]=new photo(136991,"12262","Salar136991","gallery","Salar5.jpg",400,257,"Liquid sunset",0,0,"Water in depressions in the surface of the Salar make for a surreal atmosphere as the sun sets. The peak on the horizon is the Tunupa volcano, locals know the Salar as the Salar de Tunupa rather than the Salar de Uyuni.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136993]=new photo(136993,"12262","Salar136993","gallery","Salar6.jpg",400,259,"Salt cones at sunset",1,0,"Salt cones reflected in surrounding pools of water make for a surreal atmosphere as the sun sets. Villagers who live on the edge of the Salar make a living from the salt; first it is raked into conical piles and left for several days to dry before being taken away for processing. These areas are slightly lower as a result and tend to collect any rainwater or seepage.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[138705]=new photo(138705,"12262","Salar138705","gallery","Uturuncu1.jpg",400,258,"Uturuncu volcano",0,0,"Uturuncu (6008m / 19,830ft) is the highest peak in the Cordillera Lipez, the name given to the range of volcanic peaks in the extreme south-west of Bolivia. In the foreground is the beautiful blue Lake Morijón, a stark contrast to the barren desert of the region.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[138706]=new photo(138706,"12262","Salar138706","gallery","Lagunas7.jpg",400,265,"Licancabur volcano",1,0,"Laguna Verde (Green Lake) is possibly the most spectacular of the mineral lakes in the region. The colour is said to be due to an unusually high concentration of arsenic and changes according to the time of day and wind conditions; it also means the lake stays liquid even at temperatures as low as -20ºC. Licancabur volcano (5915m / 19,410ft) in the background sits in the extreme south-west corner of Bolivia on the Chilean border.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136629]=new photo(136629,"12261","Huayna136629","gallery","Huayna1.jpg",400,265,"Mt. Huayna Potosí",1,0,"The glaciers of Mt. Huayna Potosí (6088m / 19,975ft) turn golden as the sun rises. Closeness to Bolivia's capital, La Paz, and the relative lack of difficulty of the normal route to the summit of the north peak (right hand peak in the image) make Huayna Potosí one of the most climbed peaks in the Andes.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136633]=new photo(136633,"12261","Huayna136633","gallery","Huayna2.jpg",400,258,"Mt. Huayna Potosí",1,0,"Close up of the twin peaks of Mt. Huayna Potosí (6088m / 19,975ft). Closeness to Bolivia's capital, La Paz, and the relative lack of difficulty of the normal route to the summit of the north peak (right hand peak in the image) make Huayna Potosí one of the most climbed peaks in the Andes.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136650]=new photo(136650,"12261","Huayna136650","gallery","Huayna27.jpg",400,262,"Mt. Huayna Potosí",1,0,"This image shows how abruptly the Cordillera Real rises from the plains and grasslands of the altiplano. The main peak in the view is again Mt. Huayna Potosí (6088m / 19,975ft), with the pyramid of Mt. Maria Lloco to its left. Hard to imagine that in some 40km on the far side of the peaks you drop down to the sub-tropical Yungas region.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2763283]=new photo(2763283,"12261","Huayna2763283","gallery","Huayna35.jpg",400,266,"Mt Huayna Potosi and Milluni cemetery",1,0,"Few cemeteries enjoy such an impressive location as that of Milluni, a now abandoned mining village close to the foot of Mt Huayna Potosí (6088m / 19,975ft). Once an important mining village with a population of several thousand and site of the main tin smelter for the many mines in the region, it has been abandoned since the 1960's which only adds to the eerie atmosphere.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2763287]=new photo(2763287,"12261","Illampu2763287","gallery","LagGlaciar22.jpg",400,267,"Laguna Glaciar",1,0,"Laguna Glacier sits at 5038m / 16.530ft in the saddle between the great peaks of Illampu and Ancohuma. It is a popular trekking destination from the village of Sorata. The peak on the left of the image is Illampu, Bolivia's 4th highest peak (6368m / 20,890ft) and the northernmost peak of the Cordillera Real. ","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2763289]=new photo(2763289,"12261","Illampu2763289","gallery","Illampu48.jpg",400,267,"Mt Illampu",1,0,"Illampu is Bolivia's 4th highest peak (6368m / 20,890ft) and the northernmost peak of the Cordillera Real. It is one of the most challenging peaks in Bolivia and a favourite with serious mountaineers; even the normal route requires high technical ability.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136657]=new photo(136657,"12261","Mururata136657","gallery","Mururata1.jpg",400,266,"Mt. Mururata",1,0,"A perfect dawn reflects the flat topped Mt. Mururata (5868m / 19,250ft) in the still waters of Lake Khelluani. Various legends tell of how Mururata used to be much higher but was beheaded (the meaning of Mururata); in one version by the creator god Viracocha as punishment for arrogance, in another by neighbouring peak Illimani after a battle for supremacy.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136667]=new photo(136667,"12261","Illimani136667","gallery","Illimani25.jpg",400,266,"Mt. Illimani",1,0,"The classic view of Bolivia's second highest peak, Mt. Illimani (6439m / 21,125ft). In the winter months (May to August) as seen from La Paz, the full moon rises almost directly over the triple peaked mountain, an unforgettable sight. ","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2763278]=new photo(2763278,"12261","Illimani2763278","gallery","Illimani111.jpg",400,267,"Mt Illimani",1,0,"This image shows how abruptly the Cordillera Real rises from the bleak plains and grasslands of the altiplano. The main peak in the view is Illimani (6439m / 21,125ft), Bolivia's 2nd highest and most famous mountain. This is the peak that dominates views from the capital, La Paz, which lies in the canyon between the altiplano and the mountain as seen in this image.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2832294]=new photo(2832294,"145156","Sajama2832294","gallery","Sajama90.jpg",400,600,"Lake Lagunillas",1,0,"Lagunillas is a beautiful shallow lake near the main entrance to Sajama village and the Park HQ. It is popular with flamingoes and other bird life. Sajama volcano (6542m / 21,465ft) is in the background.  ","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2735791]=new photo(2735791,"145156","Sajama2735791","gallery","Payachatas2.jpg",400,266,"Cairn and clouds",1,0,"The peaks in the region are important deities to the indigenous inhabitants; apachetas or cairns mark sites where mountain worship rituals are still performed. The twin Payachatas volcanoes (Parinacota L, Pomerape R) that form part of the border between Bolivia and Chile are in the background. ","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2735802]=new photo(2735802,"145156","Sajama2735802","gallery","Sajama114.jpg",400,267,"Sajama flora",1,0,"Some of the high altitude flora specialities of the Park can be seen in this image. The green plant in the foreground is Yareta (<i>Azorella compacta</i>), which is very slow growing (up to 1cm / year) and used by locals for fuel. The bushes behind are keñua (<i>Polylepis tarapacana</i>); smaller dwarf versions can be found growing on the flanks of the volcano at heights of 5200m / 17,050ft - the world's highest tree line.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136469]=new photo(136469,"145156","Sajama136469","gallery","Sajama4.jpg",400,266,"Tomerapi church",1,0,"The beautiful little church at Tomerapi is one of the best preserved of the churches in the Sajama National Park. Sajama volcano (6542m / 21,465ft) rises in the background.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136473]=new photo(136473,"145156","Sajama136473","gallery","Sajama6.jpg",400,266,"Sajama volcano at sunset",1,0,"A glowing wisp of cloud drifting from the summit of Sajama volcano at sunset hints at its once active ancient past.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2735797]=new photo(2735797,"145156","Sajama2735797","gallery","Sajama108.jpg",400,267,"Sajama volcano",1,0,"A close up of the awesome west face of Sajama volcano (6542m / 21,465ft). The valley below here is one of the main approach routes used by mountaineers aiming for Bolivia's highest summit.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136477]=new photo(136477,"145156","Sajama136477","gallery","Payachatas7.jpg",400,266,"Payachatas volcanoes at sunset",1,0,"Sunset silhouettes the twin Payachatas volcanoes (Parinacota L, Pomerape R) that form part of the border between Bolivia and Chile. The thin clear air at altitude and often high winds across the bleak plains make for fascinating cloud formations.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136479]=new photo(136479,"145156","Sajama136479","gallery","Sajama1.jpg",400,268,"Payachatas volcanoes and alpacas",1,0,"Alpacas and llamas are crucial to the survival of altiplano villagers in the bleak border regions of Bolivia and Chile. The volcanic ash and sand soil together with the dry windy climate means that growing crops is virtually impossible. The cameloids thrive on the native ichu grass and provide wool and meat for the villagers; the former in particular provides vital income in an area where there is little other.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2735796]=new photo(2735796,"145156","Sajama2735796","gallery","Payachatas31.jpg",400,267,"Lagunillas church",1,0,"The Sajama region of the altiplano is famous for its small rustic churches built of adobe (mud) bricks. Many have fallen into disuse but some are still visited by the local priest on a regular (often weekly) basis. In the background is the Parinacota volcano (6330m / 20,765ft), one of the twin Payachatas volcanoes on the Bolivia - Chile border.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2735790]=new photo(2735790,"145156","Sajama2735790","gallery","Chullpas1.jpg",400,267,"Burial towers",0,0,"Burial towers or chullpas have been used for millenia in parts of the altiplano for burying the dead, and still are today in some areas. These are two of the many found in the Desaguadero River valley, which is the main watercourse in the region and flows from Lake Titicaca (its only natural outlet) to Lake Poopo near Oruro.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2768087]=new photo(2768087,"49009","Architecture2768087","gallery","Sucre120.jpg",400,267,"Sucre",0,0,"San Francisco Xavier university is one of the oldest in the Americas and was founded in 1624. Its was here that the first calls for independence from the Spanish crown were issued in 1809, leading to the Wars of Independence and subsequent founding of the countries in South America as we know them today a few years later.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[642652]=new photo(642652,"49009","Architecture642652","gallery","Potosi3.jpg",400,264,"Potosi",1,0,"Potosi is the highest city of its size in the world (over 4000m / 13,000ft) and in its heyday in the 16th/17th centuries the largest and richest city in the Americas, rivalling the major cities in Europe. The source of this wealth were the huge silver deposits in Cerro Rico (“Rich Mountain”) which overlooks the city; this mountain for a century provided over half the silver shipped out of the Americas by the Spanish. As the reserves became exhausted and other more accessible silver deposits were discovered (notably in Mexico) Potosi’s fortunes collapsed as quickly as they had grown.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[642641]=new photo(642641,"49009","Architecture642641","gallery","LaPaz1.jpg",400,262,"La Paz",1,0,"Few cities enjoy such a spectacular setting as La Paz, the world’s highest capital city set in a canyon at 3600m / 11,800ft with the peaks of the Cordillera Real in the background. The triple peaked Mt. Illimani (6439m / 21,125ft) dominates views of the city and is considered its symbol and protector. Sunsets, when the city lights come on while the sun’s last rays catch the glaciers, are particularly impressive.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2767824]=new photo(2767824,"12265","BolPeople2767824","gallery","LaPazMkt24.jpg",400,266,"Fruit seller, La Paz",1,0,'One of La Paz\'s most notable features are its huge sprawling indigenous street markets. The Aymara people are traders as well as farmers, the women or "Cholitas" often manage the business and invariably wear bowler hats.',"","","","","","",18);backgrounds[143396]=new photo(143396,"12265","People143396","gallery","BolPeople20.jpg",400,271,"Aymara mother and baby",1,0,"An Aymara lady and her baby from the altiplano. The Aymara people are one of two main indigenous groups in Bolivia (the other being Quechua) and are concentrated in the altiplano region in the west of the country and around Lake Titicaca. Most people who live around the Peruvian side of the Lake are also Aymara.  Some 25% of Bolivia’s population speak Aymara as a first language; it is also one of 3 official languages in Bolivia.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2767829]=new photo(2767829,"12265","BolPeople2767829","gallery","Autoctonos6.jpg",400,267,"Flute musicians",1,0,"Locals musicians play one of the many varieties of wooden flute to be found in Bolivia at a village festival near Lake Titicaca.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2767833]=new photo(2767833,"12265","BolPeople2767833","gallery","GranPoder45.jpg",400,268,"Diablada dancers",0,0,"The Diablada is one of Bolivia’s most famous dances, partly for its spectacular masks and costumes and partly its association with the Oruro Carnival, one of the biggest in South America. It represents the struggle between good and evil. Here the Archangel Michael leads a group of dancing devils.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2767834]=new photo(2767834,"12265","BolPeople2767834","gallery","OruroCarnival7.jpg",400,269,"Diablada dancers",1,0,"The Diablada is one of Bolivia’s most famous dances, partly for its spectacular masks and costumes and partly its association with the Oruro Carnival, one of the biggest in South America. It represents the struggle between good and evil. Although originally of Catholic origin, many of the costumes (such as bears and condors) show how a strong pre-Colombian influence on the ceremony has developed. This image shows a group of china supay dancers, female dancing devils.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2767836]=new photo(2767836,"12265","BolPeople2767836","gallery","Chutillos27.jpg",400,267,"Diablada dancer",1,0,"The Diablada is one of Bolivia’s most famous dances, partly for its spectacular masks and costumes and partly its association with the Oruro Carnival, one of the biggest in South America. It represents the struggle between good and evil. Although originally of Catholic origin, many of the costumes (such as bears and condors) show how a strong pre-Colombian influence on the ceremony has developed.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2767839]=new photo(2767839,"12265","BolPeople2767839","gallery","GranPoder49.jpg",400,267,"Morenada dancers",0,0,"The Morenada is another of the best known dances in Bolivia, and had its origins among the African slave communities brought to South America by the Spanish. It has since evolved into huge spectacles and is the most popular dance at the Gran Poder festival, which takes place in La Paz normally on the first weekend of June.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2767842]=new photo(2767842,"12265","BolPeople2767842","gallery","Chutillos42.jpg",400,267,"Suri Sikuris dancer",1,0,"Suri Sikuris is a ceremonial dance originally from the altiplano regions of Bolivia and was associated with the hunting of rheas (a small South American version of the ostrich, known as suris). It is also commonly danced at weddings and inaugurating the building of houses. More modern versions for teh larger commercial carnivals have evolved spectacular huge headdresses, such as here at the Chutillos festival in Potosi.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[137129]=new photo(137129,"12267","Torres137129","gallery","Cuernos12.jpg",400,270,'Cuernos ("Horns") del Paine',1,0,'Another view of the Cuernos del Paine, one of the most spectacular sights in the Torres del Paine National Park. Geologically they were formed by the instrusion of granite rock pushing up from beneath older black sedimentary rock. Subsequent glacial erosion has sculpted these peaks and worn most of the sedimentary rock away, leaving it capping the granite on the highest peaks. This view shows (R to L) the North Horn, with the smaller "Mask" and "Sword" peaks beyond.',"","","","","","",18);backgrounds[137163]=new photo(137163,"12267","Torres137163","gallery","Dickson7.jpg",400,270,"Lake Dickson",1,0,"A beautiful clear evening over Lake Dickson, reflecting the Dickson Glacier and Cerro Cubo in the distance. The lake was named after a wealthy Swedish businessman who funded various several expeditions to the area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[137153]=new photo(137153,"12267","Torres137153","gallery","Grey26.jpg",400,270,"Ice trekking, Grey Glacier",1,0,"Exploring the other-worldy scenery on the surface of Grey Glacier. The stormy sky only enhances the blue colour of the ice. As the ice is compressed by its own weight air bubbles (which make the ice appear white) are squeezed out; the resulting compressed ice filters out all the other colours of the spectrum, leaving the blues to shine through. The older the ice the deeper and clearer the blue; the oldest parts resemble like deep blue stained glass.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[137172]=new photo(137172,"12267","Torres137172","gallery","Grey1.jpg",400,270,"Grey Glacier",1,0,"View over the surface of Grey Glacier, the largest glacier in the Park, towards the Patagonian Icefield. In reality a huge slow moving river of ice, Grey Glacier is some 25km long and 5km wide.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[137179]=new photo(137179,"12267","Torres137179","gallery","Grey3.jpg",400,266,"Grey Glacier",0,0,'Crevasses on the surface of Grey Glacier form an abstract image. Not all parts of a glacier move at the same speed, friction slows movement near the "banks" where there are often "eddies" and there is a main  "current" in the middle; very similar to a normal liquid river except much, much slower (a glacier typically moves at a couple of metres a day). The rougher and more crevassed the surface the faster the ice is moving and the greater the stresses within it.',"","","","","","",18);backgrounds[137182]=new photo(137182,"12267","Torres137182","gallery","Paine40.jpg",400,267,"Estancia and Paine River",1,0,"Old farm buildings and a wooden cart in the Paine River valley, a throwback to pre-National Park days (the Park was founded in 1959 and has been expanded several times since) when the entire area belonged to several estancias or farms. In the background is the Torres del Paine massif, with the famous towers visible in the clouds and Almirante Nieto mountain to the left.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[137207]=new photo(137207,"12267","Torres137207","gallery","Pehoe7.jpg",400,270,"Lake Pehoe",0,0,'"Paine" means blue in Tehuelche, language of the original inhabitants, and doubtless refers to the colour of many of the lakes in the region. This view looks down the French Valley and across the turquoise waters of Lake Pehoe towards the Patagonian plains. ',"","","","","","",18);backgrounds[138392]=new photo(138392,"12267","Torres138392","gallery","Cuernos28.jpg",400,267,"Torres del Paine sunset",1,0,"A dramatic stormy Patagonian sunset over the Torres del Paine massif, with the Serrano River in the foreground. The Cuernos del Paine are visible in the centre, with Almirante Nieto mountain forming the bulk of the right side of the range.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[227795]=new photo(227795,"20387","Lakes227795","gallery","Villarrica8.jpg",400,267,"Villarrica volcano",1,0,"Villarrica volcano (2840m / 9,320ft) is the most active volcano in Chile, and easily accesible from the popular resort town of Pucon. It is a straightforward and popular climb when activity permits; minor eruptions are commonplace and a major event in 1971 expelled 30 million cubic metres of lava in a flow that stretched for 14km.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[227807]=new photo(227807,"20387","Lakes227807","gallery","Huerquehue22.jpg",400,267,"Llaima volcano",1,0,"Llaima volcano (3125m / 10,250ft) rises above the clouds, seen here from the summit of Cerro San Sebastian in Huerquehue National Park, Chile. The central feature of Chile's Conguillio National Park; it is Chile's second most active volcano and its frequent eruptions are destroying much of the Park's natural vegetation.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[227839]=new photo(227839,"20387","Lakes227839","gallery","Huerquehue13.jpg",400,270,"Huerquehue National Park",1,0,'A stand of Araucaria or "Monkey Puzzle" trees (<i>Araucaria araucana</i>) on the shores of Lago Toro in Huerquehue National Park, Chile. One of the world\'s most unique and spectacular trees, it is a member of the pine family and is only found in the wild in the northern parts of Patagonia in Chile and Argentina, where it can form dense forests at higher altitudes. It is very slow growing and long lived; the largest specimens can reach 40m in height and an age of 2-3,000 years old.<br>\r\n',"","","","","","",18);backgrounds[227851]=new photo(227851,"20387","Lakes227851","gallery","Araucaria6.jpg",400,267,"Huerquehue National Park",0,0,'Resembling a Chinese painting, dawn cloud swirls through a stand of Araucaria or "Monkey Puzzle" trees (<i>Araucaria araucana</i>) clinging to the cliffs of Huerquehue National Park, Chile. One of the world\'s most unique and spectacular trees, it is a member of the pine family and is only found in the wild in the northern parts of Patagonia in Chile and Argentina, where it can form dense forests at higher altitudes. It is very slow growing and long lived; the largest specimens can reach 40m in height and an age of 2-3,000 years old.<br>\r\n',"","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2735940]=new photo(2735940,"20387","Lakes2735940","gallery","Petrohue21.jpg",400,267,"Lake Todos los Santos",1,0,"Dramatic stormy skies over Lake Todos Los Santos, Chile. Part of the Vicente Perez Rosales National Park, many reckon it to be the most beautiful lake in the Chilean Lake District. The Park is named after an explorer who made a fortune in the Gold Rush and cleared the way for colonisation of the region; today it is a popular boat and bus route for tourists travelling between Chile and Argentina.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2743397]=new photo(2743397,"145157","Atacama2743397","gallery","SanPedro18.jpg",400,267,"Licancabur volcano",1,0,"The Licancabur and Juriques volcanoes lie on the Bolivian border and dominate views from the popular village of San Pedro de Atacama. This view looks across from some of the surreal desert scenery in the Cordillera de Sal. ","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2743401]=new photo(2743401,"145157","Atacama2743401","gallery","SanPedro73.jpg",400,267,"Salar de Atacama",1,0,"The Salar de Atacama is the largest in Chile and the third largest in the world. Several lakes can be found within the Salar including the deep green Laguna Piedra. The formations in the foreground are the remains of corals on its salty shore. ","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2743403]=new photo(2743403,"145157","Atacama2743403","gallery","Tatio3.jpg",400,267,"El Tatio geysers",1,0,"El Tatio is at 4,300m / 14,000ft the world's highest geothermal field. The large number of geysers and fumaroles are best seen at dawn when the steam contrasts with the sub-zero high altitude temperatures. They are best accessed from the much visited village of San Pedro de Atacama.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136488]=new photo(136488,"145157","Lauca136488","gallery","Lauca3.jpg",400,275,"Parinacota volcano",1,0,"The Parinacota volcano (6330m / 20,675ft) rises above an area of bofedales in Lauca National Park. Bofedales is the name given to a rare habitat only found in the bleak high altiplano regions of the Andes; they consist of llareta plants (a large kind of extremely slow growing moss) and other species of grasses and mosses interspersed with shallow pools and rivulets. The llareta plants grow at only a few mm per year and are extremely hardy, surviving the subzero temperatures normal at night in these regions.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136496]=new photo(136496,"145157","Lauca136496","gallery","Lauca1.jpg",400,262,"Parinacota volcano and Lake Chungará",1,0,"A rare windless day reflects the perfectly conical Parinacota volcano (6330m / 20,765ft) in the blue waters of Lake Chungará, Lauca National Park. The lake itself is at an altitude of some 4600m / 15,100ft and is one of the largest lakes found at that height anywhere in the world.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136501]=new photo(136501,"145157","Lauca136501","gallery","Lauca2.jpg",400,262,"Parinacota volcano and Lake Chungará",1,0,"A rare windless day reflects the perfectly conical Parinacota volcano (6330m / 20,765ft) in the blue waters of Lake Chungará, Lauca National Park. The lake itself is at an altitude of some 4600m / 15,100ft and is one of the largest lakes found at that height anywhere in the world.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2743415]=new photo(2743415,"145157","Atacama2743415","gallery","StaLaura5.jpg",400,267,"Santa Laura ghost town",0,0,"The Atacama desert near Iquique was before World War I one of the world's major industrial areas and largest nitrate producing region. Abandoned since 1961, Santa Laura and nearby Humberstone have been declared UNESCO heritage sites and are some of the most interesting ghost towns in the region. This image shows the derelict nitrate processing plant at Santa Laura.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2743417]=new photo(2743417,"145157","Atacama2743417","gallery","Geoglyphs13.jpg",400,267,"The Atacama Giant",1,0,"The Atacama Giant measures some 93 in length and is the world's largest geoglyph. It is found on the side of Cerro Unitas not far from Iquique and almost certainly represents an important deity for the pre-Colombian peoples who once lived in the area.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[642657]=new photo(642657,"171508","BUE642657","gallery","Boca2.jpg",400,270,"Street lamps, La Boca",0,0,"La Boca is Buenos Aires' most distinctive and colourful district and was originally settled by French and Italian immigrants. As well as being famous for its brightly painted houses it is also famous for its fanatical support for the local football team, Boca Juniors (where Diego Maradona began his career).","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2737593]=new photo(2737593,"171508","BUE2737593","gallery","BUE4.jpg",400,266,"Sarmiento frigate, Puerto Madero",0,0,"The Sarmiento frigate was an early 20th century naval vessel and is now a museum and national monument. It is moored in the revamped docks of Puerto Madero, once the original port of Buenos Aires and now a popular area of bars and restaurants.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136063]=new photo(136063,"12266","Fitzroy136063","gallery","Fitzroy6_955FDFC0-1D09-001F-9913C9EAAA47C60D.jpg",400,261,"Mt. Fitzroy at sunrise",1,0,'The Tehuelche name for Mt. Fitzroy is "Chalten", meaning "mountain that smokes" or "mountain of fire". The peak was sacred to them; watching the granite cliffs turn orange/red at sunrise its easy to understand why........',"","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136082]=new photo(136082,"12266","Fitzroy136082","gallery","Fitzroy12.jpg",400,266,"Mt. Fitzroy",1,0,"Stormy clouds build over the Mt. Fitzroy range soon after sunrise. Weather in the region is very variable, the western side (behind the peaks in image) of the Fitzroy range backs onto the South Patagonian Icefield, the third largest in the world (after Antarctica and Greenland).","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136066]=new photo(136066,"12266","Fitzroy136066","gallery","Fitzroy39.jpg",400,267,"Mt. Fitzroy at sunrise",1,0,'The Tehuelche name for Mt. Fitzroy is "Chalten", meaning "mountain that smokes" or "mountain of fire". The peak was sacred to them, watching the granite cliffs turn orange/red at sunrise its easy to understand why........',"","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136069]=new photo(136069,"12266","Fitzroy136069","gallery","Fitzroy4.jpg",400,260,"Mt. Fitzroy at sunrise",1,0,'The Tehuelche name for Mt. Fitzroy is "Chalten", meaning "mountain that smokes" or "mountain of fire". The peak was sacred to them; watching the granite cliffs turn orange/red at sunrise its easy to understand why........',"","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136106]=new photo(136106,"12266","Fitzroy136106","gallery","Torre13.jpg",400,266,"Cerro Torre at sunrise",0,0,"Close up of the sheer granite needle of Cerro Torre at sunrise. The needle itself was long considered impossible by mountaineers; the Italian Cesare Maestri first climbed it in 1957 but the evidence was lost when his partner was killed in an avalanche on the descent, taking the expedition's camera with him. Maestri attempted the climb again in 1970 using a compressor drill to drive in the bolts, a technique that cause a furore in moutaineering circles. The first undisputed ascent was made in 1974 by the Italian Casimiro Ferrari.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136102]=new photo(136102,"12266","Fitzroy136102","gallery","Torre1.jpg",400,262,"Cerro Torre at sunrise",1,0,"The dawn sun catches the granite needle of Cerro Torre and the adjoining glaciers of the Cordon Adela, reflecting them in the rarely still waters of Laguna Torre.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136108]=new photo(136108,"12266","Fitzroy136108","gallery","Torre4.jpg",400,266,"Cerro and Laguna Torre",1,0,"Stormy skies build over the granite needle of Cerro Torre, reflecting it in the still waters of Laguna Torre. The remains of icebergs gather in the shallower parts of the lake.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136112]=new photo(136112,"12266","Fitzroy136112","gallery","Moreno10.jpg",400,266,"Storm over Perito Moreno Glacier",1,0,"Dark storm clouds gather over the Patagonian Icefield at the head of the famous Perito Moreno Glacier. Shafts of sunlight illuminate the crevasses and fissures on the glacier's surface.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[136121]=new photo(136121,"12266","Fitzroy136121","gallery","Moreno6.jpg",400,266,"Perito Moreno Glacier",0,0,"Contrary to many expectations the surfaces of glaciers are not smooth but a spectacular array of crevasses and fissures, due to internal stresses caused by the movement of the glacier. Hence the wonderful jagged surface seen here at the glacier's snout; large blocks of ice break off and crash into the lake frequently, a spectacular sight and sound.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[2737320]=new photo(2737320,"171518","Lanin2737320","gallery","Lanin2.jpg",400,267,"Rainbow over Patagonian steppe",1,0,"A passing late afternoon storm leaves a rainbow and dramatic light in its wake. Lying on the eastern rain shadow side of the Andes, Lanin National Park generally has a much drier climate than its counterparts on the Chilean side of the border.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[227821]=new photo(227821,"171518","Lanin227821","gallery","Lanin18.jpg",400,267,"Lanin volcano",1,0,'Dramatic clouds swirl over the summit of Lanin volcano on the Argentina / Chile border. A stand of Araucaria or "Monkey Puzzle" trees (<i>Araucaria araucana</i>) grows on its lower slopes. One of the world\'s most unique and spectacular trees, it is a member of the pine family and is only found in the wild in the northern parts of Patagonia in Chile and Argentina, where it can form dense forests at higher altitudes. It is very slow growing and long lived; the largest specimens can reach 40m in height and an age of 2-3,000 years old.<br>\r\n',"","","","","","",18);backgrounds[877766]=new photo(877766,"65322","Aconcagua877766","gallery","Aconcagua5.jpg",400,267,"Laguna Horcones & Mt Aconcagua",1,0,"Arguably the most frequently seen view of Aconcagua - Laguna Horcones is the main entrance to the Park and the lake itself is only 2km from the main road between Mendoza and Santiago (Chile), making it an easy day trip from Mendoza or nearby accomodation in Puente del Inca.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[877769]=new photo(877769,"65322","Aconcagua877769","gallery","Aconcagua32.jpg",400,267,"Mt Aconcagua south face",1,0,"The impressive south face of Aconcagua, offering some of the most challenging routes available to the summit for mountaineers. To compensate the approach route via the Lower Horcones valley to base camp at Plaza Francia is the shortest and also easily accessible to trekkers (3 days round trip)!","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[877770]=new photo(877770,"65322","Aconcagua877770","gallery","Aconcagua761.jpg",400,267,"Mt Aconcagua west face",1,0,"The almost sheer rocky west face of Aconcagua looms over the base camp at Plaza de Mulas. By the end of the mountaineering season (summer) what little winter snow has settled has usually disappeared. The face has many rock climbing routes; they are rarely attempted however....","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[877772]=new photo(877772,"65322","Aconcagua877772","gallery","Aconcagua96.jpg",400,267,"Cerro Cuerno and Upper Horcones Glacier",1,0,"Part of the ridge at the head of the Upper Horcones Valley - just out of image to right is Plaza de Mulas base camp. The triangular mountain to the right of the glacier is Cerro Cuerno (5642m / 18,510ft).","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[877773]=new photo(877773,"65322","Aconcagua877773","gallery","Aconcagua107.jpg",400,267,"Mt Aconcagua at sunset",1,0,"Sunset turns the almost sheer rocky west face of Aconcagua golden as it looms over the base camp at Plaza de Mulas. By the end of the mountaineering season (summer) what little winter snow has settled has usually disappeared. The face has many rock climbing routes; they are rarely attempted however....","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[877775]=new photo(877775,"65322","Aconcagua877775","gallery","PuenteInca11.jpg",400,267,"Puente del Inca",1,0,'"The Inca\'s Bridge" is an unusual geological formation crossing the River de las Cuevas close to the entrances to Aconcagua. Opinion varies as to whether it is purely a rock bridge or an old glacial bridge that has been solidified over time by mineral deposits; there are thermal baths there hence the orange formations.',"","","","","","",18);backgrounds[877776]=new photo(877776,"65322","Aconcagua877776","gallery","PuenteInca2.jpg",400,267,"Puente del Inca",0,0,"The remains of thermal baths next to \"The Inca's Bridge\", an unusual geological formation crossing the River de las Cuevas close to the entrances to Aconcagua. Once the site of a popular resort, the baths are now abandoned and slowly being covered by mineral deposits after the main hotel was destroyed in the '60s by a landslide. ","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[877781]=new photo(877781,"65322","Aconcagua877781","gallery","Calingasta34.jpg",400,267,"Mt Mercedario",1,0,"Mt Mercedario is the highest peak in the Cordillera de la Ramada, seen here from the beautiful Calingasta Valley near Barreal. At 6770m / 22,210ft it is the third highest peak in Argentina and fourth highest in the Andes.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[877784]=new photo(877784,"65322","Aconcagua877784","gallery","Talampaya17.jpg",400,267,"Talampaya National Park",1,0,"Spectacular skies and rock formations in Talapaya National Park, La Rioja province. Talampaya means “dry river of the Tala” in Quechua, and as well as the stunning scenery is noted for evidence of indigenous occupation, including petroglyphs and stone mortars. ","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[877785]=new photo(877785,"65322","Aconcagua877785","gallery","Talampaya30.jpg",400,267,"Talampaya National Park",1,0,"Spectacular skies and rock formations in Talapaya National Park, La Rioja province. Talampaya means “dry river of the Tala” in Quechua, and as well as the stunning scenery is noted for evidence of indigenous occupation, including petroglyphs and stone mortars. ","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[877788]=new photo(877788,"65322","Aconcagua877788","gallery","Talampaya38.jpg",400,267,"Talampaya National Park",1,0,"Spectacular skies and rock formations in Talapaya National Park, La Rioja province. Talampaya means “dry river of the Tala” in Quechua, and as well as the stunning scenery is noted for evidence of indigenous occupation, including petroglyphs and stone mortars. ","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[3308760]=new photo(3308760,"201644","Jujuy3308760","gallery","Purmamarca72.jpg",400,267,'Admiring "The Hill of Seven Colours", Purmamarca',1,0,'The amazing coloured strata of "The Hill of Seven Colours" / "Cerro de los Siete Colores" form the backdrop to the small village of Purmamarca. It is arguably the most famous landmark in northern Argentina.',"","","","","","",18);backgrounds[3308762]=new photo(3308762,"201644","Jujuy3308762","gallery","Uquia1.jpg",400,267,"Church of St Francis of Paula, Uquia",1,0,"This beautiful little church in Uquia is probably the most interesting of the many colonial churches in the Quebrada de Humahuaca. It is particularly noted for its fine collection of historic paintings from the Cusco religious art school.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[3308764]=new photo(3308764,"201644","Jujuy3308764","gallery","Uquia11.jpg",400,267,"Farmer in the Quebrada de Humahuaca near Uquia",1,0,"Much of the valley floor of the Quebrada de Humahuaca is still farmed in the traditional way. The fertile green fields are a vivid contrast to the colourful barren hillsides.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[3308765]=new photo(3308765,"201644","Jujuy3308765","gallery","Uquia13.jpg",400,267,"Quebrada de Humahuaca near Uquia",1,0,"A horse grazes contentedly in the spectacular scenery of the Quebrada de Humahuaca near the village of Uquia.","","","","","","",18);backgrounds[3308766]=new photo(3308766,"201644","Jujuy3308766","gallery","Uquia20.jpg",400,267,"Cerro Yacoraite, Quebrada de Humahuaca",1,0,"Cerro Yacoraite is one of the most distinctive peaks in the Quebrada de Humahuaca. The region is rich in fossils and the mountain also features prominently in local legends.","","","","","","",18);