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Argentina |
| Date: |
07/07/00 (164 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: So much to see, so much to do.
Disadvantages: It takes time.
Crossing the lakes and mountain passes of the southern Andes, with a condor flying overhead, beats looking up at hang-gliders in the Alps.
The Argentine Republic is the second largest country in South America, after Brazil.
Somewhat triangular in shape, Argentina's apex is at the very south of the American continent, with Punta Dungeness the south-eastern extremity of the South American mainland.
One of the best ways to travel around Argentina is by bus. The Buenos Aires bus station is on Av. Ramos Mejía 1680 near to Retiro Station. Long distance buses have toilets, air conditioning and coffee bar.
If time is limited, you can always buy the Visit Argentina Airpass, issued by Aerolíneas Argentinas and Austral Líneas Aéreas in your own country, which allows you to travel cheaply in Argentina, or the Mercosur Airpass for an airtour of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Argentina is a diverse country with plenty to see and do, even for the most jaded of seen it all travellers. Beaches, giant water falls in tropical rainforests, skiing in the Andes, horseriding on the Pampas, or watching whales and penguins off the tip of Patagonia. All you need in Argentina is time.
Iguazú National Park:
turismo.gov.ar/g/reg1/reg1.htm
The area extends on both sides of the River Iguazú and its water falls between Brazil and Argentina.
Derived from a Guaraní word for great water, the name is Iguaçu in Portuguese-speaking Brazil.
The falls are the centrepiece of the parks. Over 60m high, the series of falls and cascades stretch for 4km in the wet season.
Visitors can view the base of the falls in Argentina, and the lip in Brazil.
Pampa Region:
turismo.gov.ar/g/reg5/reg5.htm
The Pamas are the vast treeless plains of central Argentina that stretches from the Atlantic coast to the Andes Mountains.
The humid Pampa, eastern portion, is one of the most fertile regions
in the country.
The dry Pampa is the area towards the Andes, a less populated region famous for its horses, and sheep.
The name Pampas comes from a Quechua Native American term for flat land or plain.
Patagonia:
turismo.gov.ar/g/reg4/reg4.htm
The region of southern Argentina, east of the Andes and south of the Colorado River. Patagonia was formerly the name for the southernmost portion of the South American continent, including what is now the southern parts of both Argentina and Chile.
Penguins are protected in Patagonia, and flourish on the cold ocean currents off the archipelago of Tierra del Fuego; at the southern tip of Patagonia.
The Andes:
turismo.gov.ar/g/reg2/reg2.htm
The great mountain range of the Andes forms the spine of South America.
Running almost parallel with the Pacific coast, the Andes stretch for more than 7,000km -- that's 4 and a half thousand miles, from Panama down towards Cape Horn. The highest mountain in the western hemisphere is in the Andes -- Argentina's Aconcagua (6,959m).
The passes through the Andes are at their highest, steepest, and narrowest in Peru. Arequipa to Puno (4,468m); Lima to Tarma and Cerro de Pasco (4,804m).
Between Mendoza, Argentina, and Santiago, Chile, the Uspallata Pass, still reaches a staggering 3,900m.
Between Puerto Montt and Bariloche:
turismo.gov.ar/g/reg3/reg3.htm
Crossing the lakes and lower mountain passes of the southern Andes, with a condor flying overhead, beats looking up at hang-gliders in the Alps.
Life at the End of the Earth:
www.pbs.org/edens/patagonia/
Another excellent production in the Living Edens series from PBS.
Skiing in Argentina:
Summer skiing is not just about getting a few high runs in early, before the snow turns to slush, and then slipping on a swimsuit in the afternoon.
For real skiing during the European and American summers, think
Argentina.
Bariloche:
San Carlos de Bariloche is on the southern shore of Lake Nahuel Huapí, in western Argentina.
If you feel like you're in an Alpine town, it's probably because Austrians and Germans settled here around 1895.
Bariloche attracts skiers in the winter and hikers in the summer. Boating and fishing are also popular on the lake.
You'll also arrive here if you're travelling to or from Puerto Mont in Chile. Excellent route across the lakes and mountains.
Buenos Aires:
The capital of Argentina, founded in 1580, is situated inland from the Atlantic Ocean; on the western bank of the Río de la Plata.
The Plaza de Mayo, close to the waterfront, is where the city began, and it has expanded in ever-widening semi-circles.
The Avenida de Mayo runs west from the Plaza de Mayo to the National Congress.
To the north of Avenida de Mayo are the more wealthier suburbs, while the colourful La Boca neighbourhood of working class families and descendants of Italian emigrants lies to its south.
Argentines like their meat and tend to dine out late. It's not uncommon to be the only guest in a restaurant before nine in the evening.
Córdoba:
Founded on the Río Primero, in central Argentina, by the Spaniard Jerónimo Luis de Cabrera in 1573, Córdoba became one of the major centres of learning in South America.
The Jesuits founded the National University of Córdoba in 1613. The city is also home to an astronomical observatory and the National Meteorological Institute.
The beautiful hill country surrounding Córdoba makes it a popular summer escape from the heat of Buenos Aires.
Mar del Plata:
The most popular seaside resort in Argentina is at Cape Corrientes on the Atlantic Ocean.
Midsummer is January and February, and the beaches are packed with people from Buenos Aires -- standing room only.
Rosario:
The sec
ond most important city in the Republic of Argentina. It is located in the south of the province of Santa Fe along the shores of the Paraná river and is approximately 300kms northwest of the capital, Buenos Aires.
Salta:
Colonial architecture draws the tourists to Argentina's northwest. The cathedral and numerous churches, government buildings, and private mansions throughout the area reflect its Spanish colonial past.
Salta's fiesta time is in September.
You won't see a condor if you only visit Buenos Aires... it takes time to enjoy natures treasures at the end of the world.
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