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Expedition Humboldt: Experience science and adventure

On the occasion of Alexander von Humboldt's 250th birthday on September 14, DW is offering the multimedia special Expedition Humboldt, honoring the German natural scientist and explorer’s life and work.

DW Humboldt 250

Videos, picture galleries and articles on the Expedition Humboldt website are available in English, German and Spanish. The content is being updated continuously.

Born in Berlin in 1769, Humboldt left a personal mark in countless places around the world. Mountains and penguins, universities and flowers bear his name, even a part of the lunar surface, the crater chain Catena Humboldt. 

DW reporters Carolina Chimoy and Christian Roman went on a journey and met with Humboldt fans in several countries where teh explorer once gained important insights into nature, society and culture. One of their trips took them to Colombia and Venezuela and their report tells the adventurous story of Humboldt’s experiences on the Orinoco river.

Reise von Frau Chimoy wie Humboldt durch Südamerika
In Humboldt's footsteps: DW reporter Carolina Chimoy traveled across South America Image: DW/Zacarias
Alexander von Humboldt und Aime Bonpland Flash-Galerie
Alexander von Humboldt and Aimé Bonpland Image: picture-alliance / akg-images


Documentary: For the Love of Nature – Exploring the Orinoco

In 1799, 30-year-old Humboldt and his French working partner Aimé Bonpland traveled to South America to explore the rainforest along the Orinoco river by canoe. The young men were surrounded by crocodiles, piranhas and snakes and completely left to their own devices. At that time, nobody back home in Europe expected them to return home alive. 

Watch the documentary For the Love of Nature – Exploring the Orinoco, starting September 13, here.

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How Alexander von Humboldt put South America on the map

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