Travel to Argentina : Popular Argentina Travel Information

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Facts About Argentina

Within Latin America the nation of Argentina is second in area only to Brazil and fourth in population only to Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia. This large land covers more than 1 million square miles (2.7 million square kilometers), in the southern part of South America east of the Andes Mountains. It extends from the Tropic of Capricorn south to the tip of the continent within about 700 miles (1,100 kilometers) of Antarctica. Argentina claims a portion of that continent as well as the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and several other islands of the South Atlantic Ocean. The country is bounded by Chile on the west and south, Bolivia and Paraguay on the north, and Brazil, Uruguay, and the Atlantic Ocean on the east.

The Argentine landscape slopes downward from the Andes Mountains in the west to the Atlantic coast in the east. The western border with Chile follows the crest of the Andes, where heights of peaks range from more than 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) in the north to less than 5,000 feet (1,500 meters) in Tierra del Fuego at the southern tip of the continent. One of these peaks, Aconcagua (22,831 feet; 6,959 meters) is South America's highest mountain. The highest part of the Andean area lies in Argentina's Northwest region, which tapers from a width of nearly 350 miles (560 kilometers) in the north to about 200 miles (320 kilometers) in the south. In the northern Andes is a dry altiplano, or high plain, surrounded by mountains. A string of artesian oases lies along the eastern foothills.

Although the effects of the recent political and economic crisis can still be seen and felt, Argentina remains a perfectly safe destination for travellers. Social unrest has subsided, though travellers may wish to avoid large demonstrations, which can grow violent. On the flipside, tourism - both by international travelers and by Argentines who can no longer afford to travel abroad - is on the rise. Argentina offers the inviting possibility of enjoying two summers in the same year, but the country's great variety and elongated geography can make a visit in any season worthwhile.

Popular places to travel in Argentina:

Buenos Aires : Downtown, the Plaza de Mayo is the traditional focus of activity. Buenos Aires is an expensive city, but whether you're after a bargain hostel or a top-end hotel, it is possible to stay right in the center of things.
Córdoba : Argentina's second city, Córdoba, long rivaled Buenos Aires for political, economic and cultural supremacy; indeed, while Buenos Aires languished through neglect in the 17th century, Cordoba was the country's architectural treasure house.
Mar del Plata : Situated on the northern Atlantic coast, 400km (228mi) from the capital, beaches in this area sprawl for 8km (5mi).
Iguazú Falls: Situated in the Parque Nacional Iguazú near Puerto Iguazú, these spectacular falls lie just east of the confluence of the Iguazú and Paraná rivers. At least 5000 cubic m (176,570 cu ft) of water per second plunge the 70m (230ft) into the abyss below. If they look familiar, it's because they were the supporting actors in the film The Mission; appropriately, the area has historic ruins of Jesuit missions which also draw many visitors.
Pampas: The unrelentingly flat Pampas is Argentina's agricultural heartland and the home of that symbol of romantic nationalism, the gaucho. Comprising the provinces of Buenos Aires, La Pampa and major parts of Santa Fe and Córdoba, its varied environments include forested hills, extensive grasslands and flamingo-flecked salt lakes.
Patagonia: This enormous region south of Buenos Aires province features a glacier-dotted mountainous interior, unique coastal wildlife and Andean national parks. Península Valdés is a special treat for lovers of wildlife, with large numbers of sea lions, elephant seals, guanacos, rheas, Magellanic penguins, sea birds, flamingos and right whales.

Wilderness walks are also very popular, with vast and beautiful treks through the Andes, Sierras de Córdoba and the Sierra de la Ventana in Buenos Aires province. Climbers should head for Aconcagua, west of Mendoza, the Fitz Roy Range in Parque Nacional Los Glaciares in Santa Cruz province, and the Sierra de la Fentana (for advanced climbing). White-water rafting is becoming increasingly popular on the rivers that descend from the Andean divide; the main possibilities include Río Mendoza and Río Diamante in the Cuyo region, Río Hua Hum and Río Meliquina near San Martín de los Andes and the Río Limay and Río Manso near Bariloche.

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