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Argentina is a land of incredible distances and contrasts. Sights often lay thousands of kilometers apart. In the farthest northeast of the country the waterfalls from Iguazú rush down into the valley. A gigantic and deafening spectacle. It is best to seek accommodation at Puerto Iguazú.
Buenos Aires is a Moloch. 13 million humans live within the town and its suburbs. Plaza de Mayo is the center of the historical old part of town. Here one finds the cathedral, the government headquarters Casa Rosada and the town hall. The Andes form the whole western border of the country. A ride across this mountain range could start at Salta. From Cachi, a romantically situated village up high within the mountains, one has a fantastic view at the 6,380 m high peak of the same name. West of Mendozagain towers the Acongua, which is about 7000 m high and therefore the highest summit in America.
The Quebrada de Humahuaca, a 130 kilometers long cleft canyon, leads towards the Bolivian border, the Valle de la Luna ("valley of the moon") and the Talampaya-Canyon are also spectacular.
At Córdoba on the way from La Riojand to Buenos Aires one feels taken back in the time of the colonial masters. Riding from San Carlos de Bariloche towards the south one reaches the breathtaking glacier lakes or also the small town San Martin de los Andes with its wooden houses.
Even further to the south the country side becomes clearly rougher and the icy winds of Patagonia permanently blow into ones face. Once you reach Lago Argentino we like to recommends a tour to Argentina’s wild glaciers in the national park of Los Glaciares.
The native kitchen is formed by Basque, Spanish and Italian influences. On top of the menu one finds beef, it might be prepared as Churrasco (steaks), Parrillada (roasted meat), innards or sausage. Arroz con Pollo (stew from rice, chicken, eggs, vegetables and hot sauce), Puchero de Gallina (chicken, little sausages, cornmeal and potatoes), Empanada (filled dough pieces) and Queso y dulce (an fat slice of cheese with an slice of quinces jelly) also count among the Argentinean specialties. National beverage is mate-tea. It is served in special cups with a metal straw. The domestic wines are excellent.
Some geography:
Argentina stretches over an area of 2.8 million square kilometers and is therefore the second largest country in South America. It has close to 36.6 million inhabitants. Language of the country is Spanish. 90 % of the Argentineans are Catholic, but only 20 % of them practice their religion actively. The Argentineans celebrate their national holiday on May 25th. On the same day in 1810 the Spanish vice king had his downfall and the revolution began. After 6 years this secured the freedom of the country. |
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