Few South American archaeological sites are as stunning as Peru’s Machu Picchu. In the middle of a mountain forest nearly 8,000 feet above sea level, this Inca city uses natural materials to create an aesthetic harmony with its natural surroundings. This site was one of the last sanctuaries for the Inca Empire as it fell to Spanish colonialism. In fact, the Spaniards were never able to find Machu Picchu and it remained hidden until 1911. As a result, it is a notably intact archaeological site although it is threatened by increasing tourism and commercial infiltration. Outside the city, the tranquil Andes Mountains are home to a variety of interesting wildlife, including Peru’s famous llamas. A pair

Rome

World Cities & Harbors
417

Rome may be the most important city that has ever been built. The capital of an empire that controlled the entire Mediterranean region, most of Europe, and significant parts of Asia, Rome’s influence on the fundamentals of Western civilization is unmatched. Western language, art, religion, government, architecture, medicine, and much more are all rooted in Roman innovation. Many Rome sights featured in this eScapes scene hint at the civilization’s cultural legacy. This eScapes scene features the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Minerveo obelisk, an iconic Roman arched bridge, and the ruins of the Roman Forum, the former center of Roman democracy. Boney James is a saxophonist who, despite his resistance to being labeled as strictly