Visit Argentina

• Author: admin
• Filed under: Argentina
• Date: May 15,2008

Argentina is the second-largest country in South America and the eighth-largest in the world. It is also the highest and the lowest of the continent; at 6.960m Cerro Aconcagua is the tallest mountain in the whole American continent, while Salinas Chicas, at 40m below sea level, is the lowest point.

At the southern tip of Argentina there are several routes between the South Atlantic and the South Pacific Oceans including the Strait of Magellan, the Beagle Channel, and the Drake Passage as an alternative sailing around Cape Horn in the open ocean between South America and Antarctica.

The name Argentina derives from the Spanish word for silver, which is what early Spanish explorers sought when they first reached the region in the sixteenth century.

The capital city Buenos Aires is the center of the country in all ways except its geographical location. With the R?­o de la Plata, in the east of the country, it is actually the city that is closest to the Old Continent, and probably the most European city in South America.

Behind Buenos Aires, the land of the Pampas begins. Many towns with historical centres that go back to colonial are worth visiting. In the west, the Andes mountains offer great outdoor opportunities: hiking, skiing and much more. Patagonia, the far south of Argentina is a rugged and cold land. The area around Ushuaia, southern most city of the counrty, is mild in October to May. It is great for the lovers of nature and wildlife; big glaciers that go directly into the Barney, birds, seals and other arctic animals abound.

In the northwestern corner of this dreamed land, deserts and steppes are the most common geographical sites; and in the northeastern part of the country, Iguazú Falls, complete all kinds of climate existing on the Earth… all in one beautiful country.

The people are awesome, full of kindness, and the weather is mostly pleasant all the year. Many people call this the Paris of the Americas.

Every country seems to have its own unique foods and Argentina is no different. You will be hard pressed to go anywhere in Argentina without seeing someone carrying a “mate” (wooden cup) and “bombilla” (metal straw) with “yerba mate” drink (a local herbal tea) in one hand and a vacuum flask (Thermos) slung over their shoulder, ready to top up their mate when empty. Another strange obsession with the Argentine people is their love of ice cream. Locally made ice cream af great quality can be found all over the country in a variety of flavours. Remember to try dulce de leche (caramelised milk) flavoured ice cream. You can also get dulce de leche spread to have on your toast. A must to try.