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Argentina
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The country of Argentina
encompasses 1,073,518 square miles which makes it
the 8th largest country in the world. From north
to south it measures 2,187 miles and from east to
west 625 miles. Argentina has a population of 37
million of which one third live in metropolitan
Buenos Aires, the capital of the country.
Argentina was discovered by the Spaniards in the
sixteenth century. Today, this rich history is present
in its oldest cities, among which is Cordoba. Before
colonization, the territory which is today Argentina
had been inhabited by indigenous tribes (guaranies,
mapuches, tehuelches, onas, matacos, comechingones,
patagones, etc.).
In 1816, Argentina gained independence from Spain.
At the beginning of the 20th century, an extended
period of immigration followed, with the arrival
of waves of European immigrants: Italians, Spanish,
Ukrainians, British, Welsh, Jews, Swiss and Poles,
among others.
This blend of nationalities and cultures gave the
Argentinean people unique characteristics with regard
to their physical appearance and way of thinking.
The vastness of the territory gives the country
a wide array of climates and landscapes. In the
north, lie the provinces of Salta and Jujuy, where
the climate is warm and dry, with a tranquil beauty.
In the Northeast is a region aptly named Mesopotamia
(the mid-river area), due to the many large rivers
that converge in this area. This gives the area
a climate that is humid and hot. It is in the region
where Iguazu Falls is located, one the most important
tourist sites in the country. Western Argentina
is an area known as “Cuyo” and it stands
out as being renowned for fine wines and the possibility
of partaking in sports such as rafting, skiing and
mountain-climbing.
In the center of the country, the province of Cordoba,
with its temperate climate offers rivers, mountains
and lakes. The South combines the beauty of the
Patagonian desert with large lakes and mountains.
Here can be found among other tourist attractions,
the city of Bariloche, Perito Moreno Glacier (this
mainland glacier is the largest in the world), the
Peninsula of Valdez, with its famous vistas for
whale-watching and the southern-most point in the
world: Ushuaia.
Argentina is also known for Tango music and dance,
its delicious cuisine, outdoor “asados”
(local barbecue) and professional soccer.
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