Northern Argentina Travel Guide
Begging to be explored, the less travelled northern regions of Argentina are an interesting blend of colonial heritage, incredible natural beauty, agriculture and an indigenous flavour.
Two major Argentinean rivers, the Parana and the Uruguay, flow together in the northeast of the country, creating the Rio de la Plata estuary. The land in between the rivers is known as Mesopotamia, a swampy, wet and sweltering region covered with yatay palms, orchids and tree ferns.
One of the principal attractions in this region, the spectacular Iguazu Falls in the Iguazu National Park, are tucked away in the extreme northeast, bordered by Brazil. Lush forests bursting with wildlife and impressive, rugged mountains lie in contrast to the vast, fertile plains of the Pampas below.
Spread over a large portion of the country, the Pampas are known as the Gran Chaco in the North, and these plains form the agricultural heartland of Argentina, where gauchos (cowboys) roam and where the country's famous beef comes from. The Gran Chaco is much drier than the central part of the Pampas and is a rich source of tannins and timber.
Closer to the Chilean border in the west lies the impressive Andes Mountain Range and its highest peak, Cerro Aconcagua, situated in the famed wine region of Mendoza. The bustling city and industrial hub of Cordoba is where Jesuit traditions, colonial architecture and traditional gaucho culture combine, resulting in plenty of annual traditional festivals and local arts and crafts to be enjoyed.
From the abundant natural treasures of the Iguazu National Park to the hidden tastes of Mendoza's vineyards, there are many treasures to be found in the north by travellers willing to venture beyond Buenos Aires.