15^th WFSA World Congress
of Anaesthesiologists^®

About Argentina

You probably think about "tango" and "gauchos" when Argentina is mentioned, but for many travellers its natural beauties are the main attraction of the country: from the deserts in the North to the magnificent desolation of Patagonia in the South, and from the impressive Iguazú Falls in the North-East to the majesty of the Andes Mountains in the West. In the centre of this picture is Buenos Aires, its capital, an amazing fabulous city, known for its sophistication.

One of the most outstanding characteristics of Argentina is its population, mainly of immigrant origin, that has preserved many European cultural traits during the transposition to the New World. For this reason, Argentina is a Latin American country where European, North American, and many people from all around the world in general feel at ease.

Argentina is situated at the southern end of South America. Ranked by size, it is the second country in South America and the eighth in the world. Its total surface is 3,761,274 sq km. From North to South its extension is 5,121 km, and from East to West, 1,425 km. It borders on Bolivia and Paraguay to the North; Brazil, Uruguay and the Atlantic Ocean to the East; Chile to the West and the Atlantic Ocean and the South Pole to the South.

The Western part of the country is flanked by the Andes Mountains, the great mountain system of South America, including the highest peak in the Americas and one of the highest in the World, the Aconcagua with a height of 6960 m. East of the Andes Mountains, we find several groups of mountainous regions, like the Oriental Mountains and the Subandinean Sierras in the North, the Pampas Sierras in the centre and the systems of Tandilia and Ventania in the province of Buenos Aires. The centre of the territory is mainly occupied by a great plain with smooth undulations: the pampas.

Peoples' warmth, the European architecture of the main cities and a wide range of food options, including the typical 'asado' (barbecue) as the main dish, will assure you an unforgettable trip.

For further information, please visit: http://www.turismo.gov.ar/

DIFFERENT REGIONS OF ARGENTINA

 

The Northwest is mainly a mountainous region, with spectacular landscapes. In the far west there is a high plateau (up to 3,800m above sea level), crossed by chains of mountains. Its centre is crossed by deep gorges (as the Quebrada of Humahuaca). In the eastern side of this region we can find smaller mountains, of about 2,000 m, as a transition to Chaco plains.

In this region it is possible to find remnants of pre-columbian sites and ruins of fortifications, native villages and constructions from the times of Conquest and Colonisation.

Time seems to have stopped in the highlands of the Puna, land crossed by hills, gorges and ravines. The villages were located in the depressions of land, surrounded by hills, sometimes multi-coloured, sometimes monochromatic with slopes covered by big cactuses.

The touristy Railway to the Clouds (one of the highest in the world), allows enjoyment of this region from an amazing perspective. Snow in the summits contrast with red, violet and green patches on the sides of these mountains.

In this region we can also find forest areas intermingled with an important variety of fauna, preserved in National Parks. Several picturesque villages are spread in unparalleled natural landscapes. In the eastern limit of this region we can visit Rio Hondo thermal baths, internationally recognised for its curative properties.
 

 

It is divided in two sub regions: Chaco and Mesopotamia. The first one is a woody and uniform subtropical plain. Mesopotamia is a sub region surrounded by two great and plentiful rivers, Paraná and Uruguay.

Both sub regions are characterized by a rich and varied fauna, especially in the protected subtropical forest in Misiones and in the more temperate woods and parks in Corrientes and Entre Ríos.

In Misiones province, the zone of the humid tropical weather, the red earth and the virgin forests covered by huge trees, with a superb fauna and flora, rocky formations break the riverbed, creating waterfalls and rapids. A fabulous example of this are the famous Iguazú Falls, (Iguazú means Big Water in guaraní) where nature overflows noisily in one of the marvels of earth, which were declared Natural Mankind Patrimony by the UNESCO.

A magnificent scenario covers the Iguazú National Park, the Moconá Falls, Pilcomayo National Park, El Palmar National Park, the Iberá´s Marshy Lands and the Chaco plain.

In the southern part of this region, the littoral of Entre Ríos, Corrientes and Santa Fe provinces can be visited, with numerous spas, beaches, islands and corners for swimming, water sports and fishing, with the possibility of tasting delicious river fishes.

In this natural apotheosis the ruins of the Jesuit missions are the living testimony of the fruitful work of the Company of Jesus.
 

 

Cuyo " the land of the desert" in native language is the region of the highest mountains with snow covered slopes and among them, the Aconcagua (6969 m), the highest mountain in Western hemisphere, in the province of Mendoza, several volcanoes and the vast lands which go from the Andes to the East.

The plentiful Andes' rivers have created impressive canyons, like the Atuel's canyon, plenty of colours and natural beauties.

Tourist options in this region are varied, especially with trekking, rafting, and mountain climbing, among others. Winter sports are present too in several ski centres, as in Las Leñas.

Through irrigation canals, the water changed this arid region into a prosperous zone where excellent grapevines are grown. The wines of this region are recognized worldwide and its wine cellars can be visited (and the wines tasted, too!!!!). If you are not planning to visit this area, we will bring you our best wines to taste in Buenos Aires.

You can have a real trip back to the dinosaur's time when you visit the National Parks of Ischigualasto and Talampaya, both Mankind Natural Patrimony. Ischigualasto, also called "The Moon Valley" due to the surprising shapes and colours caused by erosion, is one of the most important paleontological reservoirs in the world. The Talampaya river canyon is remarkable due to the folding and red walls.

Pink flamencos, ducks, vicunias and guanacos live together in the natural Parks under the silent flight of the condors.
 

 

This region has medium height mountains, valleys, plains and plateaus (called pampas, of about 1,000 m above sea level) crossed by many rivers and streams, ideal for swimming and water sports, that are practised in artificial lakes created by numerous dams. It has an important touristy potential. Several touristy villages take advantage of its beautiful landscapes. This region has an ideal and healthy climate, temperate and with low humidity.

In these surroundings we can find the second city of Argentina, the modern and active city of Cordoba.
 

 

This is a flat land, only crossed by two ancient hilly systems, Tandil (500 m above sea level) and Ventana (1,200 m above sea level). This region is especially suitable for agricultural and cattle breeding activities.

Its tourist potential is mainly reflected in Buenos Aires, the great industrial and commercial metropolis of Argentina, with an intense cultural activity in numerous cinemas, theatres, musical spectacles, pubs, restaurants, shopping centres and many other attractions. It has a rich architectural and fine arts tradition too, that can be seen in several museums and buildings that show different styles.

Besides, there are important tourist cities located on the Atlantic shore, like the populous Mar del Plata y Villa Gesell, and the more exclusive beaches of Pinamar and Cariló. The picture is completed with a visit to Tandil and Sierra de la Ventana, which offers mountain landscapes and adventure tourism. Near Tandil, in Balcarce, you can also visit a museum dedicated to Juan. M. Fangio, the 5-times F1 racing car World Champion of the 50´s.

This is an impressive mountainous region, with unique natural lakes, glaciers and woods. This is one of the most spectacular regions in Argentina. Several National Parks that can be visited, Lanín, Nahuel Huapi, Los Arrayanes, Los Alerces, Lago Puelo, Francisco P. Moreno, Los Glaciares and Tierra del Fuego National Parks, protect its fauna and picturesque richness.

This region is especially suitable for adventure tourism and has numerous possibilities for practising trekking, rafting, mountain-climbing, mountain biking, cavalcades, etc., added to water sports in its numerous lakes, not forgetting fishing. There are also important winter sports centres for skiing, like Chapelco and Cerro Catedral and thermal baths, like Copahue.

It is a must for worldwide travellers to enjoy several of the famous attractions of this region, for example, one of the most beautiful active glaciers, the Perito Moreno Glacier in Santa Cruz province, and visit several other tourist points.

In the southern end, in Tierra del Fuego, you can travel through intricate channels and visit Ushuaia, the most southern city of the world and the gateway to the huge and mysterious Antarctic.
 

 

A central plateau, crossed by valleys, canyons and low mountains, characterises this wild region, also known as Patagonia plateau. The climate is arid, windy and cold, and agricultural activities are concentrated in some artificial oasis protected from extreme meteorological conditions.

Tourist attractions are mainly in the northern part of this region, on the Atlantic shore, where important wild life reserves can be found, with sea elephants and wolves, penguins, birds and the southern whales. In this context the Valdés Peninsula must be mentioned.

The northern beaches, surrounded by beautiful cliffs of about 30m in height, are ideal for swimming and diving.