For centuries the lure of vast treasures, lost civilizations and cities of gold hidden in the wilds of the New World have fevered the minds of explorers and adventurers, congealing in the magic term-El Dorado. El Dorado ("the gilded one"), untold riches hidden from the greedy clutches of the Europeans by Ancient civilizations long lost to the knowledge of the rest of the World. Thousands have searched and died in failed attempts to find El Dorado. One time it was the "Seven Cities of Gold" in the Southwest, others involved hidden Inca cities in Peru or the fabulous wealth of Queen Calafia and her female warrior empire. The Jungles of the Amazon basin (also thought to be the home the the ferocious female warriors) were a favorite destination for countless expeditions.
Yet, no matter how many searched or the lives lost, none have come back with the treasure of El Dorado. The lure remains, the search continues the explorer travels on and on until
"...as his strength "Over the Mountains
Failed him at length, Of the Moon,
He met a pilgrim shadow- Down the Valley of the Shadow,
"Shadow," said he, Ride, boldly ride,"
"Where can it be-- The shade replied--
This land of Eldorado?" "If you seek for Eldorado!"
From
Eldorado by Edgar Allen Poe 1849
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