Buenos Aires is one of the largest cities in the world with a population of over eleven million in both the city and the outskirts. Besides being one of the busiest cities in South America, it is proudly one of the most elegant too, boasting a deep European heritage and the purest Argentine identity. It has always treasured the traditional and charming corners that have the essence of colonial Buenos Aires. Visitors are fascinated by its unique atmosphere, the distinct character of each of its districts and the cordiality of its people when it comes to assist and make the visitor feel like at home. The broadest range of cultural and commercial options is available in a city that can surpass all your expectations. Buenos Aires, so close to the splendid countryside surrounding it, is the great cosmopolitan doorway to South America.
The Pampa country is amongst the richest areas of Argentina, having the most fertile soils of the country and thus the cradle of the gauchos, the traditional Argentinean country men. These vast plains of spectacular sunsets and 'asados' (barbecues) are the ideal place to rest as well as to feel the kindness of the Argentina's most rustic characters. One of the most appealing aspects of the Argentinean Pampas is the singular architecture of its estates. Built in the most diverse styles such as Hispanic American Colonial, English Tudor and classic French, they are unmistakably the most beautiful example of the prominent agricultural tradition of this country. Many of these 'estancias' have been adapted for tourist reception. Northwest from these plains are the Sierras of Córdoba. The highest peak, Mount Champaquí (2.970) stands out in this lovely mountain range. Its green valleys contrast with the deserts and salt marshes to produce a peculiarly pleasant landscape. Further north scattered chapels and ancient estates start to add to an already wonderful landscape. Many of them dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, they are the legacy of the Jesuits presence in these hills.
This is the tropical region of the country where heavy rains and hot temperatures contribute to make a fascinating scenery: the subtropical rainforest. This exuberant jungle of gigantic trees shelters a diverse ecosystem found nowhere else in the country. The animal species include 400 bird species- toucan, humming birds, etc - the jaguar, yacare (caiman), coatimundi, brown capuchin monkeys, collared anteaters, tapirs and butterflies such as the shiny blue morphos and the red-black heliconius. The vegetation is nothing but exotic with over 2.000 plant species where you can find gigantic trees, ferns, lianas, and colorful orchids. Finally, to top it up we find the breathtaking Iguazú Falls-great waters in Guarani language-, considered one of the wonders of the modern world, where the supreme power of nature is conveyed through the terrific roar of falling water as the visitor just cannot believe his eyes.
The Northwest regions provides some of the biggest contrasts in Argentina. The west of the region (Catamarca, Salta and Jujuy) offers Andean landscapes which include some of the highest peaks in the Americas (like the Nevado de Cachi, 6, 388) as well as the Puna, a windswept, stony and tree-less plain where the salt flats are very common. Here sleepy mining towns inhabited by indigenous people, flamingos and cloudless skies are part of the setting. By contrast, eastern Jujuy and eastern Salta offer Argentina's three cloud forest parks whilst Tucumán hosts subtropical lowlands and Santiago del Estero is chiefly covered by the arid Chaco desert. This area holds the largest indigenous population of the country, trait that is reflected in the language-half of the population also speaks Qichua-, the music and many of the traditions that are celebrated there.
In this Patagonian Region the visitor can find this very well known places such as: San Martín de los Andes, San Carlos de Bariloche, Viedma, Esquel, Puerto Madryn, Trelew, Comodoro Rivadavia and El Calafate. The Andes mountain range shows its beauty in the Patagonian provinces. Millennial and silent forests with native vegetable species extend along the shores of glistening waters. At the summit of the mountains, nature overflows in granite peaks and ice fields spreading their glacier tongues into lakes of unsurpassable beauty.
