Deep in the south of South America is this land of infinitely enchanting landscapes -from the
snow-capped peaks of the
Andes and the dusty plains of
Patagonia to the ‘Land of Fire' - Tierra del Fuego. Whether exploring the
lush rainforest of Missiones,
horse riding in the scorched red mountains of Salta, trekking the
turquoise lakes and evergreen forests of the Lake District or
playing the gaucho in the fertile Pampas, the country provides wonderful, boundless adventures.
At the heart of all this is the capital
city,
Buenos Aires. Somewhat unfairly described as a grimy Paris, Buenos Aires is a
smart, contemporary city that is full of life and bursting with energy. While the spirit of the
tango is alive and well and the
gaucho heritage is celebrated, modern Argentina is more
cosmopolitan in its outlook than many South American countries.
The people of Argentina are warm,
friendly and open to visitors. Despite a dark period of military dictatorship and a series of economic crises, the Argentines have a tenacious spirit and
lust for life that is infectious. This passion shines through in the nation's great loves of
football, food and partying. Visitors to this country will find it easy to get into the swing of things, bringing back long-lasting memories of fine local wines and enormous steaks, along with those of the unforgettable and extraordinary landscapes.
GeographyArgentina is situated in South America, separated from Chile to the west by the long spine of the Andes. Its eastern border is the Atlantic Ocean, with Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil to the north and northeast. It can roughly be divided into four main geographical areas: the spectacular Andes mountain range, the dry North along with the more verdant Mesopotamia, the lush plains of the Pampas and the windswept wastes of Patagonia. Mount Aconcagua soars almost 7,000m (23,000ft) and waterfalls at Iguazú stretch around a massive semi-circle, thundering 70m (230ft) to the bed of the Paraná River. In the southwest is the Argentine Lake District with a string of beautiful glacial lakes framed by snow-covered mountains.
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