Africa, Indian Ocean And Transoceanic Cruise: Lisbon To Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is one of the largest cities of Latin America, a major world port, and Argentina’s commercial and social center. Heavily industrialized, he city is one of the world’s leading exporters of processed foods. It was founded in 1536, abandoned, then resettled in 1580, and was the first Latin American city to revolt (1810) against Spanish rule.

Officially independent in 1816, it became the capital of a united Argentina in 1862. It grew into an urban colossus in the late 19th century, when railroads into the agriculturally abundant pampa to the west began to supplement the great inland river transportation system that linked the city with Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil, and immigration from Europe increased. Famous landmarks include the 19th century cathedral, the opera house, and the many beautiful municipal parks.

Dakar, (dä-kär´) largest city (1988 pop. 1,447,642) and capital of Senegal, on Cape Verde Peninsula, on the Atlantic Ocean. It is an economic center for a market-gardening region, and its expanding industries produce food products, fertilizers, cement, and textiles. The city is the busiest port in W Africa, also serving Mali and Mauritania, and is linked by rail and air with other Senegalese cities. Dakar became the capital of French West Africa in 1902 and was occupied by U.S. forces in World War II. The modern city is an educational and cultural center.

The Drake Passage is the body of water from Cape Horn to the Antarctic Peninsula. During the crossing of the Drake Passage, you pass your first icebergs, wildly carved by the wind and water, and observe wandering albatross and other seabirds skimming the swell, while whales breach the surface. Passing through Drake Passage is a scenic adventure.

Portugal is for explorers. Its valiant seamen first charted the Azores, discovered Japan, and unlocked the major sea routes the world over. Now you can share the anticipation they must have felt as you explore this exciting city.

You’ll discover an 8th-century Moorish castle, quaint cafes and a palm-studded coastline. The Alfama district is a maze of narrow, twisting streets, whitewashed houses, flowered balconies, archways, terraces and courtyards that charm your socks off. (And if you can find your way out of this dizzying array, 20th-century Lisbon is just as intoxicating.)

Of course, if you’d rather play by the sea, the Portuguese Riviera lies just outside town, offering something for everyone, from sun, sand and surf to thrilling casinos. Lisbon is a vast garden abounding with flowers and tropical plants. The city’s appeal lies in the magnificent vistas from its many belvederes and in the tree-lined avenues and squares decorated with mosaic pavements.

Montevideo is on of South America’s major ports, and Uruguay’s only large city, with nearly half its population. It is a specious beautiful city with amazing architecture and spectacular beaches.

Rio de Janeiro, (rê´o dâ zhe-nâr´o) city (1990 est. pop. 6,042,000), SE Brazil, capital of Rio de Janeiro state, former capital of Brazil, on Guanabara Bay of the Atlantic Ocean. Brazil’s second largest city and principal port, Rio (as it is popularly called) has diverse manufactures and handles much of the nation’s foreign trade. It is predominantly a modern city, with a new airport and subway system. A cosmopolitan city, long the cultural center of Brazil, it is also its greatest tourist
attraction. Rio is celebrated for its pre-Lenten carnival and for its beautiful natural setting within an amphitheater of low mountains. Noted landmarks are Sugar Loaf Mt., which dominates the harbor, and Corcovado peak, with its colossal statue of Jesus. Founded by French Huguenots in 1555, the city was taken by Portugal in the 1560s. It replaced Bahia (now Salvador) as Brazil’s capital in 1763 and was supplanted by Brasília in 1960.

Salvador (sàl´ve-dôr´) or Bahia, city (1990 est. pop.2,050,000), capital of Bahia state, E Brazil. An Atlantic port, it processes and ships cacao, tobacco, sugar, and other products of a fertile crescent, the Recôncavo. The city was found in 1549, flourished with the rise of sugar plantations, and was the leading center of colonial Brazil and the capital of Portugal’s possessions in America until 1763. An influx of plantation slaves was the source of its African heritage. It is now a tourist center noted for its 16th-century cathedral.

The South Shetland Islands are a group of Antarctic islands, consisting of 11 major islands and several minor ones. Several nations maintain research stations on various islands, including Argentina, Chile, Spain and more. Most can be found on the largest, King George Island, otherwise known as Isla 25 de Mayo in Argentina, Isla Rey Jorge by Chileans, or Vaterloo to the Russians.

Stanley is a miniature capital, where the masts of old sailing ships stick up haphazardly out of the little harbour and the government house is a little more than a medium-sized Victorian home. There is little to remind visitors of the Falklands war.

Be sure to visit the post office to purchase the extraordinary Falklands commemorative stamps. Many of them depict the Island’s rich variety of wildlife. Unhampered by human encroachment, the Falklands’ huge populations of penguins, black-browed albatross, sea lions, fur seals and elephant seals are totally unafraid of visitors.