Tag archives for Peru
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Lijah Hanley, a member of the 2009 Hands-On Explorer Challenge expedition to Peru, has won the grand prize in the National Geographic Student Expeditions Photo Contest! His love for photography began before he entered the 2009 contest, and he has continued to learn and grow as a photographer since the Peru expedition.
Lijah’s winning photo, called “No Boundaries,” can be seen above. “There is nothing more thrilling than taking the car out on the road and exploring new places. Unfortunately, being a new driver, my parents have set a lot of boundaries that limit how far I can go. I made it as far as the Columbia River Gorge, and it was a perfect crisp clear night for stargazing. So we removed the top of our car, sat on the roof, and gazed into the endless universe. Exploration is not bound by how far your car can take you, but by how far your imagination can take you into the stars,” Lijah says.
See the winning photos from the National Geographic Student Expeditions Photo Contest.
In July 1911, Hiram Bingham rediscovered the forgotten Machu Picchu site in Peru. Tomorrow, Peru will celebrate the 100th anniversary of this event. Bingham discovered the site on July 24, 1911, and wrote an article about the site for National Geographic magazine. Machu Picchu is the ruin of an ancient Inca city built more than 500 years ago. Today, it is the most popular tourist destination in Peru.
Learn more about Machu Picchu on National Geographic Traveler.
Watch a video about Machu Picchu on National Geographic Kids.
Get the facts on Peru on National Geographic Kids.
Photograph by Miguel Vilaxa, My Shot
Scientists have uncovered the fossils of prehistoric penguins in Peru. Evidence from the fossils suggests that these giant penguins, called water king penguins (Inkayacu paracasensis), had reddish-brown colors on the underside of their wings. But that’s not the only unusual thing about this ancient bird–it was also about 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall!
Learn more about the giant water king penguin on National Geographic News.
Get the facts on emperor penguins, the world’s largest living penguins.
Illustration courtesy Katie Browne, U.T. Austin
The fossilized remains of a giant species of sperm whale have been found in a desert in Peru! The 60-foot (18-meter) giant whale is called Leviathan melvillei after Herman Melville, the author of the novel about a whale called Moby-Dick. A study in Nature says that the whale’s massive teeth may mean that the whale actively hunted other whales and not only eating giant squid, like today’s sperm whale.
Learn more about Leviathan melvillei on National Geographic News.
How much do you know about the largest living species of whale? Quiz Your Noodle and find out!
Illustration by C. Letenneur, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
The winners of the 2009 Hands-On Explorer Challenge contest flew to Peru on May 22 to begin exploring the wildlife, culture, and history of this South American country! The talented 15 kids and two teachers have already visited Lima, where expedition team member Lijah was fascinated by the face-shaped pottery at the Rafael Larco Herrera Archeological Museum.
Tomorrow they’re off to Machu Picchu. Follow their adventures in the Hands-On Explorer Trip Blog!
Check out their blog entries on the Hands-On Explorer Trip Blog.
Read excerpts from the winners’ essays on National Geographic Kids.
Posted by The winners of the 2009 Hands-On Explorer Challenge have been chosen! Visit kids.nationalgeographic.com to read excerpts from their essays and see their winning photos.
The expedition to Peru starts on May 23. Visit the blog to get updates from the Peru expedition team!
Visit the Blog in April
Check back in April to find out who won, and catch a glimpse of the winning photos and essay excerpts!
The 2009 Hands-On Explorer Contest is now closed. No new entries will
be accepted by the judges. It’s time to wait to find out who won!
There are a few days left to enter the 2009 Hands-On Explorer Challenge! The postmark date is February 5. All entries must be received by February 12. So finish your essay, choose your photo, and enter the contest!
2009 Hands-On Explorer Challenge
Looking for inspiration? Read excerpts from last year’s winning essays.
