Towers in Peru called solar observatory
Archeologists say they've solved the mystery of a 2,400-year-old structure.
By Thomas H. Maugh II, Times Staff Writer
March 2, 2007

Thirteen Towers

Archeologists have solved the mystery of the Thirteen Towers, a line of low stone structures that have spanned an arid Peruvian slope like a massive set of prehistoric teeth for 2,400 years.

The towers lined up outside the citadel at Chankillo are a massive solar observatory that marks not only the summer and winter solstices, but also the days and weeks of the year.

http://south-america.com.au/things.htm

PASSPORTS AND VISAS

You must be in possession of a valid passport with at least six months validity.Visas are required for most South and Central American countries; the majority of these can be obtained through Consular representatives in Australia. Some must be obtained en route.

CLIMATE

Being such a large continent South America has very distinct weather patterns but the seasons are very similar to Australia on the whole. However, things to remember are that in the Altiplano region, where it would normally be summer, it is the rainy season between December and March, and that Rio de Janeiro has a major rainy season from the end of February through March. Above the Tropic of Capricorn,which runs on a line through Antofogasta to Rio de Janeiro, the climate is hot and sultry most of the time, with coastal areas of Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela and the Amazon jungle being extremely humid. South of Puerto Montt around the Tierra del Fuego area the best season is literally from September to April. So when asked for the best time to travel, we reply anytime, depending on what you want and where you want to go.