Places To Visit in Argentina

Argentina's history goes all the way back to early 16th century when Spanish explorers traveled in search of silver, gold, and other treasures but the early expeditions were either killed or forced to withdraw by the natives. However, in the late 16th century, many Spanish settlers arrived in the present day Northwest region of Argentina and established numerous forts, towns, and houses. The Spanish kingdom soon claimed the territory, and the city of Buenos Aires was founded in 1580 as an important hub. Argentina remained a Spanish colony for 300 years and gained independence in the early 1800s, the prolonged presence of Spaniards and the influence of other European settlers is reflected in the country's heritage.

Argentine culture is a rich mixture of Italian, Spanish, and other European cultures mainly due to its large immigrant population as compared to the rest of Latin America which has a good mix of native Indian culture as well. This inherent European culture is reflected in the country's cuisine, theater, art forms and society. The dominant religion in Argentina is Christianity, and around 76% of the population practices Roman Catholicism, and 15% of the population is religiously indifferent. The country's official language is Spanish. However, Argentine Spanish sound a lot different than Spain's Spanish. In addition to Spanish, Italian, German and English are also commonly spoken due to a large number of European immigrants.

Argentina can be divided into six regions based on its diverse geography. Cherish the tropical climate of the Northwest in its savannahs, ochre deserts and swampy forests and visit the colonial city of Salta, one of the prime attractions in the country. Get a glimpse of the Gaucho lifestyle in the Pampas, making up the country's central region and home to the metropolitan cities of Buenos Aires and Cordoba. Experience the warm and humid climate of Litoral and one of the world's most breath-taking natural spectacles, Iguazu Falls and the incredible variety of wildlife in Chaco. Cuyo is famous for its varied climate and landscapes ranging from the majestic Andes to fertile valleys and barren volcanoes. Last but not the least, lies a nature lover's paradise, the beautiful region of Patagonia in the south with its steppes, glaciers, and snow-capped peaks which are also the hub of adventure activities such as skiing and trekking.