The North |
Perhaps one of the principal attractions in this region are the spectacular Iguazú Falls in the Iguazú National Park, tucked away in the extreme northeast, surrounded by Brazil. Lush forests bursting with wildlife and impressive, rugged mountains lie in contrast to the vast, fertile plains of the Pampas below. Spread over a large portion of the country, the Pampas are known as the Gran Chaco in the North, and these plains form the agricultural heartland of Argentina, where gauchos (cowboys) roam and where the country's famous beef comes from. The Gran Chaco is much drier than the central part of the Pampas and is a rich source of tannins and timber.
Closer to the Chilean border in the west is the impressive Andes Mountain Range, and its highest peak, Cerro Aconcagua, situated in the famed wine region of Mendoza. The bustling city and industrial hub of Córdoba is also to be found in the north and here, Jesuit traditions, colonial architecture and traditional guacho culture combine, with plenty of traditional festivals and local arts and crafts to be discovered. There are many treasures to be found by travellers willing to move beyond Buenos Aires, and the northern region is not to be missed.
Attractions
Córdoba
Founded in 1573, Córdoba is Argentina's second largest
city and although there has been massive development in recent
years, much of the old colonial vestiges remain. A fine collection
of churches and colonial buildings survive from this period
including the 17th century Town Hall (El Cabildo), the Romanesque
Iglesia Cathedral and the Jesuit Iglesia de la
Compañía, the oldest surviving church in Argentina,
dating from 1622. The Museo Histórico Provincial
Marqués de Sobremonte is one of the most important
historical museums in the country. The Jesuit influence is clear
within the scenic mountain interior, which is scattered with
colonial churches, hermitages and interesting towns. Many are well
prepared for tourists, with hotels, restaurants and festivals
keeping alive the Jesuit and gaucho traditions.
Iguazú National Park
The Iguazú National Park is a huge subtropical rainforest covering 135,000 acres and is home to thousands of different species of flora and birds, including parrots and hummingbirds. It is most famous for the Iguazú Falls, declared a National Heritage Site by UNESCO. The deep flowing waters of the river tumble down 275 falls, the most famous of which is Devil's Throat. On the border with Brazil, it drops 230ft (70m), almost twice the height of Niagara Falls. As well as enjoying the stunning views from the series of platforms, visitors can enjoy kayaking and other watersports on the river. The Iguazú Falls were one of the locations used for the film The Mission and, appropriately, Jesuit Mission ruins remain nearby.
Website: www.iguazuargentina.com; Opening time: Daily 7.30am to 6.30pm (1 October to 31 March); 8am to 6pm (1 April to 30 September); Admission: $40 (adults); $20 (children 6-12 years); other concessions available
Mendoza
The Mendoza Province rests at the foot of the Andes and is Argentina's main wine-producing region, peppered here and there with wine farms offering tours and tastings. The city of Mendoza, a low-rise city since 1861 when it was almost destroyed by an earthquake, is characterised by wide, leafy boulevards and a massive network of canals. Well worth seeing is the Enoteca Giol wine museum and if one is visiting in late February, one must not miss the Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia, an annual grape-harvest festival accompanied by concerts and local celebrations. Near the border with Chile lies Mount Aconcagua. At 23,000 feet (6,900m) it is the highest mountain in the Western hemisphere.
The Pampas
The vast flat plains of the Pampas are Argentina's agricultural heartland and the home of the gaucho (cowboy). Lying southwest of Buenos Aires is the location of Argentina's famous beef and grain industry, the source of the country's wealth. The area is festooned with small agricultural towns, which are home to the majority of Argentina's population, but hold little to interest the tourist. There are however excursions available to different ranches during which one can enjoy a day's horseriding and feasting on 'asado'.