 where to go, what to do? |
 Introduction |
The country can be divided into four major physiographic provinces: the Andes to the west (with arid basins, grape-filled foothills, glacial mountains and the Lake District), the fertile lowland north (with subtropical rainforests), the central Pampas (a flat mix of humid and dry expanses) and Patagonia (a combination of pastoral steppes and glacial regions).
More than twenty national parks preserve large areas of these varied environments and protect wildlife (See Article on Geography).
| Provinces and Cities |
Argentina comprises 23 provinces; the self-governing Federal District, which consists of the city of Buenos Aires and several suburbs; and the national territory of the Argentine part of Tierra del Fuego, the Argentine-claimed sector of Antártida, and several South Atlantic islands. The national territory of Tierra del Fuego was in the process of becoming a province in 1993.
| Province | Capital | | The Atlantic Coastal, or Littoral | | Buenos Aires | La Plata | | Chaco | Resistencia | | Corrientes | Corrientes | | Entre Ríos | Paraná | | Formosa | Formosa | | Misiones | Posadas | | Santa Fe | Santa Fe | | Northern provinces | | Jujuy | San Salvador de Jujuy | | Salta | Salta | | Santiago del Estero | Santiago del Estero | | Tucumán | San Miguel de Tucumán | | The Central provinces | | Córdoba | Córdoba | | La Pampa | Santa Rosa | | San Luis | San Luis | | The provinces of the Andes | | Catamarca | San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca | | La Rioja | La Rioja | | Mendoza | Mendoza | | Neuquén | Neuquén | | San Juan | San Juan | | The Patagonian provinces | | Chubut | Rawson | | Río Negro | Viedma | | Santa Cruz | Río Gallegos | | Tierra del Fuego | Ushuaia |
A number of nations, including the United States, do not recognize the Argentine claim to the vast sector of Antártida, between longitude 25º West and 74 º West, and to a number of South Atlantic islands.
| | Principal Cities |
Important cities include:
Buenos Aires (population, 1996 estimate 12,608,046 )
Córdoba (population, 1996 estimate, 1,233,866), a major manufacturing and university city
The river port of Rosario (population, 1996 estimate 899,897)
La Plata (population, 1996 estimate 541,905), capital of Buenos Aires Province
Mar del Plata (population, 1996 estimate 532,845), a resort city at the mouth of the Río de la Plata
Salta (population, 1996 estimate 500,000), famous for its colonial architecture
San Miguel de Tucumán (population, 1996 estimate 470,000), a diversified manufacturing center
Mendoza (population, 1996 estimate, 121,620), hub of an important agricultural and wine-growing regionEstimated Argentinian’s population for 2001: 37.486.938
Recommended sites to visit in Argentina
1/ Visiting the North
Cuyo: The region of Cuyo; Mendoza; San Juan; San Luis
The Andean Northwest: Jujuy ; Salta; La Rioja
Iguazú Falls: A part of the Heritage of Humanity
2/ Visiting the Centre
Buenos Aires La capital”: Population; Origins and main areas; Physical structure; Neighbourhoods; Attractions & Spirit; Where to stay & Food; Nightlife
The Pampas: The region; Santa Rosa, capital de La Pampa; What else to do in the area
Mar del Plata: The Town; Cuisine; Nightlife Córdoba: The colonial capital; Natural landmark and physical center; Cuisine; Nightlife; Adventure Tourism; Fiestas and Traditions
Santa Fe: Province and City
3/ Visiting the South: The Patagonia Region
Neuquén: Province; San Martín de los Andes
Río Negro: Province; San Carlos de Bariloche
Tierra del Fuego: Province; Ushuaia Chubut: Península Valdés; Major historical cities: / Gaiman / Puerto Madryn
National Parks in Patagonia: Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi - Parque Nacional Laguna Blanca - Parque Nacional Lanín - Reserva Provincial Punta Tombo - Parque Nacional Los Alerces - Parque Nacional Los Glaciares - Monumento Natural Bosques Petrificados - Parque Nacional Perito / Perito Moreno |
