Argentina
Argentina is a country blessed by an endless array of natural beauty. It offers the exciting combination of impressive and isolated sceneries, in contrast with the comfort and sophistication of the big cities. The mere mention of the name Argentina evokes images of football, tango, solitary gauchos, Evita and even Maradona. But there is much more.
Comprising almost the entire southern half of South America, Argentina ranks as the world's eighth largest country, covering an area of 2.8 million square km, with a population of over 38 million. The mainland points down from the hot jungles of its northeast and the arid highland steppes of its northwest through windswept Patagonia to Tierra del Fuego, a territory that is shared with Chile.
For cosmopolitan types, its lively and wonderfully characteristic capital, Buenos Aires, is renowned for its sophistication and elegance. It is famous for its tango, with its mesmerizing music and staggering steps, which can be seen in dramatic evening shows at ritzy theatres such as Esquina Carlos Gardel, Piazzola and La Ventana. It is renowned for its passion for football. It is proud of its European style architecture and hidden gems, including picturesque cobbled neighbourhoods like La Boca, unique cafés in Recoleta, antique markets in san Telmo, or the beautifully landscaped parks in Palermo which are all part of the laid back porteño lifestyle.
For natural beauty, look north, south east and west from the breathtaking tropical waterfalls of Iguazu, considered one of the natural wonders of the world, down to the majestic glaciers of El Calafate. The dramatic northwest desert with its coloured hills, canyons and cacti, contrasts with the enchanting Southern Lakes region of San Carlos de Bariloche where vast extensions of virgin woods surround uncountable lakes with the backdrop of the Patagonia mountain range. Embodying the romantic culture of Argentina are the never-ending Pampas and the 'gauchos' who inhabit them and who invite you to enjoy a typical barbecue or a horseback ride at one of the numerous estancias.
Argentina is a country of such endless variety which offers you a vast range of colours, scents, styles, customs, architecture and geography.