Covering almost the entire southern half of South America, the rich diversity of natural habitats and culture within this, the world's eighth largest country, is indisputable. Travelers come to see some of the world's tallest mountains, expansive deserts and its mightiest rivers and waterfalls, ranging from the wild remote lands of southern Patagonia to the bustling, sophisticated capital of Buenos Aires and the Iguazu National Park in the country's subtropical north. Its six major geographical regions, containing such natural attractions as dreams are made of, are often classified as follows:
Cuyo and the Andean Northwest - Originally a colony of Peru , this area surrounds the Andes and is occupied today by only a few miners and herders whose lifestyle has adapted to deal with the harsh unforgiving terrain of volcanic peaks and salt lakes. Although Cuyo itself has low rainfall, eastwards lie the fertile river valleys and subtropical lowlands of the Gran Chaco.
Mesopotamia and the Northeast - Mesopotamia is wet, swampy and extremely hot during the summer months, a broad plain between the Parana and Uruguay Rivers in the north of the country. The northern province of Misiones, a more mountainous region nearly enclosed by Brazil and Paraguay , is covered in dense forest and contains a section of the awe-inspiring Iguazu Falls.
The Chaco - This patched area in the west is part of the enormous Gran Chaco, a region shared with Bolivia , Paraguay and Brazil. The landscape here consists only of grassland and thorny forest.
The Pampas - These fertile plains are Argentina's bread-basket, consisting of the Humid Pampas along the seaboard and the Dry Pampas in the west and south. The region includes Buenos Aires , as well as the world class beaches of its surrounding area. To fully understand why the South-Americans are considered a passionate people, this is the place to attend a football game, join in a tango, and sample the incredible nightlife. Built by Europeans, it has a melancholic twist which only seems to underline the energy and sparkle of its vivacious and attractive residents, whether or not hampered by a dodgy economy.
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Land of Fire
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Patagonia and the Lake District - South of the Rio Colorado the climate turns to desert and temperatures range from mild to subzero. As for the landscapes, there are both bucolic river valleys and gigantic, ice-capped peaks which are the southern Andes. Cool grazing grounds support vast flocks of sheep and farms in the valleys growing mainly fruit and vegetables. Patagonia is a destination in its own right, where nature has long been left to its own devices and the big spaces are almost as awesome as the inevitable encounter with the jagged peaks and pristine lakes. This territory also holds a hidden treasure in its vast reserves of oil and coal.
Tierra del Fuego - An archipelago which includes the Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego (shared with neighboring Chile ) and numerous smaller islands. Northern Isla Grande is similar in terrain to Patagonia's plains, while the mountainous area in the south is covered with forests and glaciers. Other than frequent storms, it has a mild year-round climate.
Apart from these mainly geographical highlights, the culture of Argentina has been influential on the world stage in many areas, from literature, film and theater productions to music and dance. In the world of sport, its national football team is the most decorated in the world, and one in twenty-five adult males in the country are registered football players.
Covering almost the entire southern half of South America, the rich diversity of natural habitats and culture within this, the world's eighth largest country, is indisputable. Travelers come to see some of the world's tallest mountains, expansive deserts and its mightiest rivers and waterfalls, ranging from the wild remote lands of southern Patagonia to the bustling, sophisticated capital of Buenos Aires and the Iguazu National Park in the country's subtropical north. Its six major geographical regions, containing such natural attractions as dreams are made of, are often classified as follows:
Cuyo and the Andean Northwest - Originally a colony of Peru , this area surrounds the Andes and is occupied today by only a few miners and herders whose lifestyle has adapted to deal with the harsh unforgiving terrain of volcanic peaks and salt lakes. Although Cuyo itself has low rainfall, eastwards lie the fertile river valleys and subtropical lowlands of the Gran Chaco.
Mesopotamia and the Northeast - Mesopotamia is wet, swampy and extremely hot during the summer months, a broad plain between the Parana and Uruguay Rivers in the north of the country. The northern province of Misiones, a more mountainous region nearly enclosed by Brazil and Paraguay , is covered in dense forest and contains a section of the awe-inspiring Iguazu Falls.
The Chaco - This patched area in the west is part of the enormous Gran Chaco, a region shared with Bolivia , Paraguay and Brazil. The landscape here consists only of grassland and thorny forest.
The Pampas - These fertile plains are Argentina's bread-basket, consisting of the Humid Pampas along the seaboard and the Dry Pampas in the west and south. The region includes Buenos Aires , as well as the world class beaches of its surrounding area. To fully understand why the South-Americans are considered a passionate people, this is the place to attend a football game, join in a tango, and sample the incredible nightlife. Built by Europeans, it has a melancholic twist which only seems to underline the energy and sparkle of its vivacious and attractive residents, whether or not hampered by a dodgy economy.
|
|
Land of Fire
|
Patagonia and the Lake District - South of the Rio Colorado the climate turns to desert and temperatures range from mild to subzero. As for the landscapes, there are both bucolic river valleys and gigantic, ice-capped peaks which are the southern Andes. Cool grazing grounds support vast flocks of sheep and farms in the valleys growing mainly fruit and vegetables. Patagonia is a destination in its own right, where nature has long been left to its own devices and the big spaces are almost as awesome as the inevitable encounter with the jagged peaks and pristine lakes. This territory also holds a hidden treasure in its vast reserves of oil and coal.
Tierra del Fuego - An archipelago which includes the Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego (shared with neighboring Chile ) and numerous smaller islands. Northern Isla Grande is similar in terrain to Patagonia's plains, while the mountainous area in the south is covered with forests and glaciers. Other than frequent storms, it has a mild year-round climate.
Apart from these mainly geographical highlights, the culture of Argentina has been influential on the world stage in many areas, from literature, film and theater productions to music and dance. In the world of sport, its national football team is the most decorated in the world, and one in twenty-five adult males in the country are registered football players.