Many visitors to Argentina see Buenos Aires and imagine they've seen it all.
Far from it. The second largest country in South America and the eighth largest country in the world has 2.8 mainland million square kilometers of varied climates, terrains, natural wonders and sophisticated urban centers, small towns and way-off-the-beaten-track treasures.
From urban and urbane Buenos Aires and its distinctive barrios, to the tiniest community, Argentina offers something for the visitor.
Departing Buenos Aires, visitors flock to Mesopotamia and the Northeast through the provinces of Entre Rios, Corrientes and Misiones to reach the ruins of Jesuit missions and Iguazu Falls on the Parana River, the border with Brazil and Paraguay. This is an area of heavy rainfall resulting in a tropical climate of swampy lowland forests and upland savannahs. Nture lovers will delight in the wildlife viewing and birding opportunities here.
The savannahs extend into the Chaco where the forests become thorny. The provinces of Chaco, Formosa, the eastern portions of Salta, Santiago del Estero and the Gran Chaco which extends into Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia endure extremely hot summers, but the area is primarily agricultural. It is the first settled area as the city of Santiago del Estero was founded in 1553 before Buenos Aires, as a stopover between the mines of Bolivia and the river and sea gateways to Spain. Attracting visitors now are the Caverna de las Bruja, Atuel River Canyon, Pozo de las Ánimas, and the engineering marvel of "The Railway to the Clouds."
Buenos Aires and the province of Buenos Aires are part of the Pampas region, Argentina's vast flat agricultural heartland. Divided by climate into humid and dry areas, this is the area where vast estancias provided the mainstay of the Argentine economy and way of life. Visitors may leave the pleasures of the city to visit on an estancia and glimpse a bit of the gaucho lifestyle. Though present day gauchos may dress as colorfully as their grandfathers the true gaucho lifestyle is gone. La Pampa Santa Fe and Cordoba provinces offer sightseeing and the Sierras de Cordoba popular with Argentine tourists.
Cuyo and the Andean Northwest offer a distinct change from the rest of Argentina. Here the visitor finds Andean peaks high puna (cold arid tableland) salares (salt lakes) rising from the lowlands of the Gran Chaco. The cities of Tucuman, Mendoza, San Juan, San Luis, La Rioja, Catamarca, Jujuy, and the western portions of Salta, Santiago del Estero, and the Gran Chaco present a range of climates supporting both the vast vineyards producing Argentina's fine wines and the ski resorts, including the upscale and popular Las Leñas. The Quebrada de Humahuaca is a popular tourist destination. Climbers and trekkers test themselves on Mount Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Americas. Talampaya Canyon and Moon Valley are other popular attractions.
After Buenos Aires, the most visited parts of Argentina are in Patagonia and the Lake District. Here the famous Glaciers of Argentina draw visitors all year around. The temperate agricultural areas, mountain activities and industrial development of oil and coal deposits bring in much interest. The provinces of Neuquen, Rio Negro, Chubut and Santa Cruz enjoy a temperate climate. Peninsula Valdes, Moreno Glacier, and Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapí are the highlighted tourist destinations. The area around San Carlos de Bariloche is a year-round resort area for skiers trekkers and nature lovers.
This area of Argentina is also home to the fossil remains of some of the largest Dinosaurs of South America. Paleontologists and dinosaur fans worldwide flock to this area to see the the huge 100-ton Argentinosaurus, considered by some experts to be the largest dinosaur ever recorded.
Patagonia is also a favorite with fishermen, hunters and shooters as well as environmentally inclined trekkers and wildlife observers. Historians and Wild West buffs will enjoy seeing the Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid ranch.
The southernmost reaches of Argentina in Tierra del Fuego attract visitors who come to see the Straits of Magellan and sail in Antartic waters. Ushuaia, Beagle Channel, Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego y la Antártida, Rio Grande and the "Train to the End of the World" are all must-sees.
No matter where you go in Argentina, you'll find spectacular scenery!
Far from it. The second largest country in South America and the eighth largest country in the world has 2.8 mainland million square kilometers of varied climates, terrains, natural wonders and sophisticated urban centers, small towns and way-off-the-beaten-track treasures.
From urban and urbane Buenos Aires and its distinctive barrios, to the tiniest community, Argentina offers something for the visitor.
Departing Buenos Aires, visitors flock to Mesopotamia and the Northeast through the provinces of Entre Rios, Corrientes and Misiones to reach the ruins of Jesuit missions and Iguazu Falls on the Parana River, the border with Brazil and Paraguay. This is an area of heavy rainfall resulting in a tropical climate of swampy lowland forests and upland savannahs. Nture lovers will delight in the wildlife viewing and birding opportunities here.
The savannahs extend into the Chaco where the forests become thorny. The provinces of Chaco, Formosa, the eastern portions of Salta, Santiago del Estero and the Gran Chaco which extends into Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia endure extremely hot summers, but the area is primarily agricultural. It is the first settled area as the city of Santiago del Estero was founded in 1553 before Buenos Aires, as a stopover between the mines of Bolivia and the river and sea gateways to Spain. Attracting visitors now are the Caverna de las Bruja, Atuel River Canyon, Pozo de las Ánimas, and the engineering marvel of "The Railway to the Clouds."
Buenos Aires and the province of Buenos Aires are part of the Pampas region, Argentina's vast flat agricultural heartland. Divided by climate into humid and dry areas, this is the area where vast estancias provided the mainstay of the Argentine economy and way of life. Visitors may leave the pleasures of the city to visit on an estancia and glimpse a bit of the gaucho lifestyle. Though present day gauchos may dress as colorfully as their grandfathers the true gaucho lifestyle is gone. La Pampa Santa Fe and Cordoba provinces offer sightseeing and the Sierras de Cordoba popular with Argentine tourists.
Cuyo and the Andean Northwest offer a distinct change from the rest of Argentina. Here the visitor finds Andean peaks high puna (cold arid tableland) salares (salt lakes) rising from the lowlands of the Gran Chaco. The cities of Tucuman, Mendoza, San Juan, San Luis, La Rioja, Catamarca, Jujuy, and the western portions of Salta, Santiago del Estero, and the Gran Chaco present a range of climates supporting both the vast vineyards producing Argentina's fine wines and the ski resorts, including the upscale and popular Las Leñas. The Quebrada de Humahuaca is a popular tourist destination. Climbers and trekkers test themselves on Mount Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Americas. Talampaya Canyon and Moon Valley are other popular attractions.
After Buenos Aires, the most visited parts of Argentina are in Patagonia and the Lake District. Here the famous Glaciers of Argentina draw visitors all year around. The temperate agricultural areas, mountain activities and industrial development of oil and coal deposits bring in much interest. The provinces of Neuquen, Rio Negro, Chubut and Santa Cruz enjoy a temperate climate. Peninsula Valdes, Moreno Glacier, and Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapí are the highlighted tourist destinations. The area around San Carlos de Bariloche is a year-round resort area for skiers trekkers and nature lovers.
This area of Argentina is also home to the fossil remains of some of the largest Dinosaurs of South America. Paleontologists and dinosaur fans worldwide flock to this area to see the the huge 100-ton Argentinosaurus, considered by some experts to be the largest dinosaur ever recorded.
Patagonia is also a favorite with fishermen, hunters and shooters as well as environmentally inclined trekkers and wildlife observers. Historians and Wild West buffs will enjoy seeing the Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid ranch.
The southernmost reaches of Argentina in Tierra del Fuego attract visitors who come to see the Straits of Magellan and sail in Antartic waters. Ushuaia, Beagle Channel, Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego y la Antártida, Rio Grande and the "Train to the End of the World" are all must-sees.
No matter where you go in Argentina, you'll find spectacular scenery!
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