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National parks of Argentina. When to visit Iguazu National Park

Its nature is considered to be the reason why millions of travelers from all over the world come here. The country has many pristine places that have not been touched by human hands - these are forests and jungles, lakes and mountains, semi-deserts and deserts.

Main National Parks of Argentina

In this country, a national park is a protected area located in various climatic zones(from subtropics to tropics) and altitude (from 6.96 m above sea level to –48 m under water). The fauna of the state is very diverse, endemic and endangered species live here (tuco-tuco, Magellanic dogs, vicuñas, etc.), and the red ovenbird bird has become a real symbol of the country.

Seven environmental objects were included in the list at once. The country has 33 national parks. Let's look at some of them in more detail:

(Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi). It is one of the first protected parks in the country and is located in the area of the lake of the same name. Its area is 7050 square meters. km, it is located in the north, in the provinces of Rio Negre and Neuquen. An interesting object is .
(Parque Nacional Iguazú). This National Park in Argentina, famous for waterfalls Iguazu. Located on the border with Brazil, near Paraguay.

(Parque Nacional Predelta). It is located in the Parana River delta and includes three islands, swamps, a lagoon, and has interesting flora and fauna.

(Parque Nacional Los Glaciares) in Argentina. Located in the province of Santa Cruz, it has an area of 4459 square meters. km and is famous for two large lakes: and, as well as for its glaciers.

(Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego). The park is located on the island of the same name and is the southernmost on the planet. Its area is 630 sq. km. The Pan-American Highway ends here.

(Parque Nacional Monte Leon). This is the youngest National Park in the country. It is located along the Atlantic Ocean and is famous for being home to the fourth largest colony of Magellanic penguins in South America.

(Parque Nacional Los Alerces). This is one of the most picturesque parks in the country. Its area is 193 thousand hectares and includes the Arrayanes River and 5 reservoirs.

(Parque Nacional Sierra de las Quijadas). The park is located in the paleontological zone, in the province of San Luis. Its area is 73,533 hectares. Dinosaur tracks and other ancient fossils can be seen here.

(Parque Nacional Talampaya). Officially, it was given the status of a National Park in 1997. The park is located at an altitude of 1500 m above sea level. The remains of Lagosuchus (the ancestors of dinosaurs) were discovered here.

(Parque Nacional Chaco). The main goal of the park is to protect the pristine plains of the Eastern Chaco and the unique savannah landscapes. A river flows on its territory, around which dense jungle grows.

Ibera (Parque Nacional Ibera). The territory of the park is a swampy area. This is the heritage of all Latin America. Several species of rare caimans, more than 300 species of birds live here, and unique plants grow.

(Parque Nacional El Palmar). The main goal is to preserve the local ecosystem and palm groves. The park is located on the banks of the Uruguay River and consists of wetlands, rocky banks and water streams.

(Parque Nacional El Leoncito). It has an area of 90 thousand hectares and is located on the slope of the Sierra del Tontal mountain. It has been open to visitors since 2002; before that, visits were prohibited here.

(Parque Nacional Rio Pilcomayo). This area is home to humid forests, as well as entire fields of water hyacinth. The park is listed as an international wetland.

(Parque Nacional Laguna Blanca). A huge number of bird species live here. The park is also famous for the pre-Columbian sites of the Mapuche Indians and ancient rock petroglyphs.

(Parque Nacional Los Cardones). Its main pride is its cactus fields. These plants are up to 3 m tall and live for about 300 years.

What other environmental institutions are there in the country?

In Argentina, in addition to National Parks, there are also nature reserves. The most popular of them are:

Laguna de los Patos (Reserva Natural Urbana Laguna de los Patos). The reserve is located in and includes a steppe and a reservoir. This favorite place bird habitat.

(Reserva natural Cabo Virgenes). The reserve has an area of 1230 hectares and is located on the ocean coast. A colony of penguins lives here, the number of which exceeds 250 thousand individuals.

Cabo dos Bahias (Reserva Cabo Dos Bahias). This is one of the most beautiful natural reserves in the country, where you can meet representatives of the Patagonian fauna: guanacos, sea lions, penguins, etc.

Corazon de la Isla (Reserva Corazon de la Isla). The reserve is located in the province of Tierra del Fuego. Special walking routes have been developed here for lovers of wildlife.

Laguna Oca del Rio Paraguay. A biosphere reserve that is located perpendicular to the Paraguay River and covers its tributaries, swamps, canals, dams, oxbow lakes and branches. Water spaces are interspersed with palm groves, forests and meadows.

Costa Atlantica (Reserva Costa Atlantica). Located in the province of Tierra del Fuego. It is home to many migratory wading and water birds, some of which are endemic. The area of the reserve is 28,500 hectares, it covers areas of forest and steppe overgrown with shrubs.

(Punta Tombo). Popular place among tourists who want to get acquainted with the life of Magellanic penguins, who are accustomed to people and boldly approach them. The reserve is located in the province of Chubut.

Punta del Marques (Reserva Natural Punta del Marques). The main goal of the reserve is nature conservation. A colony of sea lions lives here, and there are especially many of them from August to December. To observe them, special platforms with powerful binoculars were built.

Punta Bermeja (Reserva Faunistica Punta Bermeja). Located 3 km from La Loberia beach. The reserve is home to numerous birds and sea lions, and the coastal waters are home to dolphins, whales and killer whales. There is a scientific center here where ornithologists and oceanologists conduct their research.

(Parque provincial de Ischigualasto). This provincial park, which is located in the area, can also be classified as a nature reserve. It is included in and features a picturesque landscape.

In Argentina, nature reserves and national parks are national pride. When going to the country, be sure to visit the protected areas, because here you will not only see pristine nature, wild animals and various plants, but also relax in the fresh air, get acquainted with the history of the country and simply have a wonderful time.

Argentina is a silver country of adventure, whose geography we studied together with the children of Captain Grant. Moreover, it attracts not only tango and football, the best meat in the world and dozens of varieties of ice cream. The diversity of its nature is simply unique. Argentina stretches for thousands of kilometers from the southernmost continent of Antarctica to the impenetrable jungle in the north.

On its territory there are 33 national parks and four natural monuments, not counting numerous protected areas of regional rank. There are currently seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Argentina.

Los Glaciares

Los Glaciares (Spanish: Los Glaciares , glaciers) - national park, located in the province of Santa Cruz, along the Chilean border. The area of the park is 4459 km². Founded in 1937, Los Glaciares is Argentina's second largest national park. The park gets its name from the huge ice cap in the Andes, which feeds 47 large glaciers, of which only 13 flow towards the Atlantic Ocean. This ice massif is the largest after the ice of Antarctica and Greenland. In other parts of the world, glaciation begins at least 2,500 m above sea level, but in Los Glaciares Park, due to the size of the ice cap, glaciers begin at an altitude of 1,500 m and slide down to 200 m, eroding the slopes of the mountains underlying them.

For the first time, the territory between lakes Viedma and Lago Argentino was taken under protection by the Argentine state in 1937. However, this area was declared a national park only shortly before the end of World War II in April 1945. Modern borders Los Glaciares National Park were established by law only in the fall of 1971. In 1981 Los Glaciares National Park was included in the List of World Natural Heritage Sites.
The territory of Los Glaciares, which is 30% covered with ice, can be divided into two parts, each of which has its own lake. The largest lake in Argentina, Lake Argentino (area 1,466 km²) is located in the southern part of the park, and Lake Viedma (area 1,100 km²) is in the northern part. Both lakes feed the Santa Cruz River, which flows to the Atlantic Ocean. Between these two parts is the Central Zone, closed to tourists., in which there are no lakes.

The northern half of the park includes part of Lake Viedma, the Viedma Glacier, small glaciers and several mountain peaks popular with climbers and mountain hikers, such as Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre.

The southern half of the park, along with small glaciers, includes the main glaciers that flow into Lake Argentino: Perito Moreno, Uppsala and Spegazzini. A typical boat tour includes exploring the otherwise inaccessible Uppsala and Spegazzini glaciers. The Perito Moreno Glacier can be reached by land.

Three thousand years ago, Indians lived in the area of Lake Argentino and were engaged in hunting and gathering. The population had high mobility, which made it possible to consume both the resources of the steppe and mountainous areas. The ancient inhabitants of these places used stones to make tools and found refuge in numerous caves, where ancient drawings - traces of their presence - can still be found. One example of rock art can be seen near Lake Roca, where a stone canopy depicts both abstract motifs - straight and wavy lines, dots, as well as human and animal figures.

Los Glaciares Park is a popular destination in international tourism. Tours begin in the city of El Calafate, located on Lake Argentino, and in the village of El Chaltén, located in the northern part of the park at the foot of Mount Fitz Roy. The main attraction of the park is the majestic glaciers, which are worth spending at least two to three days exploring. For mountain lovers, in the northern part of the park there are many mountain routes of varying degrees of difficulty, and the abundance of lakes allows for boat trips.
If you have more than three days to explore the park, it’s worth finding Indian rock paintings to stand in front of them and imagine for a moment the life of ancient people.

Iguazu

This national park was created in 1934 with the aim of preserving one of the most beautiful places in Argentina: the waterfalls on the Iguazu River, surrounded by a subtropical jungle.
The park is located in the north of the province of Misiones, it covers an area of 67 thousand hectares. Along the northern border of the park flows the Iguazu River, which separates Brazil and Argentina, and is the southern border of the Brazilian national park of the same name. Both parks are now World Natural Heritage Sites.

On the shores of Iguazu and the islands of its delta, many moisture-loving plants grow, many of which are not found in other parts of the country. This a unique place in the world, since 5 forest species are concentrated on one piece of land.
Diverse and animal world park, during walks you can see colorful parrots, lizards, and a huge number of butterflies. There are especially many of them near puddles of water, where they obtain dissolved minerals.
The national park is a refuge for many rare and endangered species, including the jaguar, ocelot, anteater, and tapir.

Traces of human presence here go back 10 thousand years; evidence of the prehistoric era are the found remains of vessels. Already in historical times, the selva was inhabited by Indians who were engaged in hunting, fishing and gathering. Around 1000 AD. The Guarani came from the north and displaced the tribes that had previously lived here. The Guarani had advanced technology Agriculture, grew various vegetables.
The first tourist expedition to the waterfalls was organized at the end of the 19th century. One of its participants, Victoria Aguirre, donated money for the construction of a road from the port of Iguazu to the waterfalls, thereby greatly facilitating the journey for subsequent travelers.

50 meters from the entrance to the park there is a visitor center “Ivira Reta”, which translates as “land of trees”. Here you will learn that, in addition to magical waterfalls, the national park protects unique flora and fauna, that the history of these places began many millennia ago, and its heroes were the Gaurani Indians, Jesuits, European colonists and ecologists who have been working here since its creation parka.
The park has created many trails, pathways, bridges, and viewing platforms that will allow you to see different waterfalls up close. From the entrance to the park to the beginning walking routes tourists are transported by a small eco-train.
The lower trail will allow you to enjoy views of most of the falls from above and in front. From a long distance you will see the Devil's Throat and the Brazilian waterfalls, and if you wish, you can get wet under the streams of the Bosetti Falls.
The upper trail will take you along the fall line of the main waterfalls and allow you to enjoy their panorama.
You can get closer to the Devil's Throat by walking about a kilometer along the walkways, which end in a wide balcony directly above the gorge where the waterfall falls.
If you still have time, be sure to visit San Martin Island, where you will be taken by boat. It will take a lot of effort to get to the very top, but you will be rewarded with an unforgettable view of the Three Musketeers waterfall.
The Macuco trail was created specifically for wildlife lovers. The trail runs along an old clearing in the very heart of the jungle, and at the end of it a 20-meter waterfall awaits you. This is a great opportunity to get to know the subtropical forest and, if you're lucky, its inhabitants.

Nahuel Huapi

Parque Nahuel Huapi extends from the southeastern territories of the province of Neuquén to the northeast of the province of Rio Negro and is the oldest national park in Argentina. It was founded in 1934 and covers an area of 7,050 square kilometers. Within the park there is the main tourist town region - Bariloche. Another popular city among tourists, Villa La Angostura, is also located on its territory and is located right on the lake.
Park attraction - dormant volcano Tronador with a height of 3554 m above sea level (translated from Spanish tronador - loud, thundering). It rises above a belt of forests and numerous lakes of glacial origin. The main peak of Tronador is El Principal. From the top of Tronador, from its steep cliffs, eight glaciers slide into deep gorges. The Frias River originates in the glaciers of Tronador, carrying matte green waters.

Another attraction of the park and its decoration is Lake Nahuel Huapi, located at an altitude of 767 m, about 70 km long and with an area of 530 sq km. It is very deep, with steep banks, and navigable.

Forests of huge cedars and evergreen beeches are well preserved here. The age of some beeches up to 40 m high and 2 m in diameter reaches 500 years. In the forests of the Andes, Patagonian larches 30-35 m high and 2-3 m in diameter rise above the southern beech trees. They resemble California redwoods. Their trunks are entwined with vines, and various epiphytes settle on them.

There are many driving tours available in the national park. But the greatest demand is for the “around the world” trip, which is 280 km long.

Mammals are found in the park. But there are no large ones, except for the acclimatized European deer and fallow deer, which have bred in large numbers (therefore, regulation of their numbers has begun). Occasionally you can see a Pudu deer here, only 30-35 cm tall, with short horns. Mouse possums live in the forests. The streams are inhabited by Darwin's rhinoderma frog, and hippocamelus, guanaco, vicuna, and chinchilla also live.

Nahuel Huapi National Park is open all year round, but there are two tourist seasons: winter (July-September) and summer (January-March). National ski competitions are held here at the beginning and end of the season. A large ski station is located 20 km from the city. For the convenience of tourists, lifts have been built.

Lanin

Lanin National Park is located in the province of Neuquen, covers an area of 380 hectares and is famous for rare species of trees, many of which do not grow anywhere else in the country. The park was founded in 1937 with the aim of preserving the ecosystem, fauna and flora of the area. The park also contains famous volcano Lanin, lakes Lacar, Wekulafken and Alumine, as well as many rivers where sport fishing for salmon and trout is permitted.In addition to the beautiful forests, you can find unusual animals in the Park, as Pudu is the smallest deer on earth and the most wanted by all visitors.

Anyone who wants to get to know the park more thoroughly usually stops in the city of San Martin de los Andes, which is located right on the shores of Lake Lacar.

Tierra Del Fuego

The archipelago that makes up Tierra del Fuego was discovered in 1520 by the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan, and it received this name because of the fires lit by the Indians along the shore when Magellan sailed through the strait that now bears his name.
Young Charles Darwin also visited here and was very impressed by the landscapes of the island and the harsh lifestyle of the local Indians.
The national park of the same name with a total area of 63 thousand hectares was created in 1960.
The landscape of the park was formed under the influence of erosion and ancient glaciers, which no longer exist. After a series of geomorphological processes, the Andes mountain range rose - a system of mountain ranges that surround forested valleys, cut by rivers and lakes, swamps and rock outcrops.
In the coastal part of the park there are Lapataya and Ensenada bays, in which ravines alternate with small beaches - ideal habitats for birds.
The region's climate is cool, humid, with maximum precipitation in autumn. In winter, a lot of snow falls, which accumulates in the valleys and on the slopes.

Dense forests are common up to an altitude of 600 meters above sea level, and shrubs grow above. A characteristic feature of the national park's landscapes are peat bogs. The process of peat formation is possible only in a humid environment at low temperatures that prevent the decomposition of organic matter, and such conditions are typical for Tierra del Fuego.
The diversity of fauna here is not so great - about 20 species of mammals and about 90 species of birds. A distinctive feature of Tierra del Fuego's ecosystems is the absence of amphibians. The most common species to be found is the red fox. Another mammal, the guanaco, lives in the mountains almost the entire year and only descends into the inland valleys for the winter.
Of the birds that attract the most attention are three species of South American geese, which live in open areas and on beaches. In the forests you can meet a woodpecker, and high in the sky above the valleys and mountain peaks Condors fly.
The large island of the archipelago was inhabited by humans about 10 thousand years ago. The ethnic diversity of the settlers suggests that they interacted quite effectively with an environment that we now perceive as very unfavorable. Numerous archaeological finds indicate an ancient connection between man and the nature that surrounded him.
Ancient people built their homes on the shore, moved around the sea in canoes, and hunted seals and collected shellfish. The Indians lived in huts made of trunks and branches, and their clothing consisted of seal skins.
The disappearance of these groups dates back to the arrival of the first European colonizers in the 1880s. Epidemics are considered the main factor in the destruction, but the so-called “shooting exercises” of travelers and poisoning by hunters, for the free hunting of seals, played an important role.

Several short walks have been developed for travelers, including along the banks of the Lapataia and Ovando rivers; to the Black Bay, the waters of which are characterized by a very dark color due to the peat at the bottom; to the panoramic point of Lapataia Bay; former beaver settlement, along the swamp. These are small trails up to one kilometer long.
In addition, you can walk along routes ranging from 5 to 10 km in length, which will allow you to enjoy views of the Beagle Canal, Lake Roca and climb the 970-meter-high Mount Guanaco.

Chaco

Chaco National Park is located in the central part of the South American continent, in the east of the Gran Chaco plain. This name can be translated as "Big hunting field." Chaco Park was founded in 1954. The park was established by the Argentine government to protect the unique landscapes of the most elevated parts of the Eastern Chaco.

By the time the park was created, the unique forests on most of the plain had already been cut down.
The central, eastern and southern parts of the park are home to forests and woodlands of Quebracho trees. It is a tree with very hard wood that is dark red in color (The name comes from the Spanish expression "break the axe"). The height of the trees reaches 15 meters. White and red kebracho, containing large amounts of tannin, are considered the most valuable. Due to its dense and virtually non-rotting wood, quebracho wood is in great demand, which has become the reason for the massive cutting down of these trees.

Talampaya
Talampaya Provincial Park was created in 1975, and in 1997 it received the status of a national park. Its main goal is the protection of unique paleontological and archaeological monuments - rock outcrops with preserved remains of flora and fauna of ancient times.
Together with the adjacent Ichigualasto Provincial Park, this area is a World Natural Heritage Site.
Under open air, on the vertical walls and huge stones you can see many abstract and drawings of animal and human figures, making this area one of the most representative in terms of rock art in Argentina.

The landscape diversity of the park is very large; there are flat and low-mountain areas, depressions and plateaus. Strange shapes of sand and stone are often found, as in the area known as " Lost City».
The climate of the region is characterized by extreme temperatures, with significant temperature changes throughout the day and in different seasons. Summers are hot, daytime temperatures rise above +50ºС, and minimum temperatures in winter drop to -9ºС. The territory is characterized by low humidity, and only in summer there are heavy downpours, often accompanied by hail.

The territory is dominated by shrubs and many cacti. Rare trees grow near rivers. A number of plants are endemic to this region and country.
Among the animals in the park you can find the gray fox and lark. The Andean condor, falcon and eagle are found on the vertical walls of the canyons.

The uniqueness of the park lies in the enormous wealth of fossil remains found here. In recent decades, this area has also received scientific recognition due to the fact that the fossils found here date back to the Triassic period, the time of the appearance of dinosaurs.
One of the most notable finds at Talampaya is the fossil remains of Lagosuchustalampayensis, which lived here 250 million years ago and was one of the first dinosaurs to inhabit the Earth. Another interesting find is the fossil turtle Palaeocheris talampayensis, 210 million years old.
After visiting the information center, tourists are offered a walk through the park, during which they can see various archaeological rarities.
The Lost City is one of the most interesting places, attracting with its excellent panoramic landscapes and mysterious geoforms.

Peninsula Valdez

Protected area " Peninsula Valdez" was created in 1983, in the province of Chubut. Currently, the reserve occupies almost 400 thousand hectares of land and 176 thousand hectares of water space.
In 1999, the Valdez Peninsula received World Natural Heritage status.
The peninsula's protected system includes four protected areas that attract a variety of marine and terrestrial species.

The peninsula is located in the northeast of the province of Chubut, and is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. From the north and south, its coasts are washed by the bays of San Jose and Nuevo.
The relief of the territory is a typical Patagonian plateau, which ends in the sea with steep banks. The coast is composed of marine sediments, which are subject to constant erosion. Part coastline It is represented by beaches, among which rocky ones stand out - a favorite place for elephant seals.
The climate on the peninsula is transitional between the temperate climate of the central part of the country, with maximum precipitation in the hot months, and the cold climate with winter rains, which is more typical of Patagonia. Summers on the peninsula are hot but short, and winters are cold.

The main vegetation of sea shores is algae. They cover rocky shores with colorful blankets: blue-green, green, brown, red or yellow-green, depending on the pigment in the plant cells.
The Valdez Peninsula in Patagonia is of great importance for the conservation of marine mammals. The population of the endangered Australian subspecies of the southern right whale (Eubalaena glacialis australis) breeds here. The peninsula is famous all over the world for its excellent viewing opportunities for these giants. They arrive on shore in June and stay until December to give birth. The southern right whale reaches a length of approximately 14 meters and weighs up to 50 tons. Females carry their young for a whole year, and give birth to only one offspring at a time.
Southern elephant seals and southern sea lions also breed here, and resident killer whales use a unique hunting strategy adapted to the local coastline conditions.
The peninsula is also home to many species of birds and land animals, such as guanacos, foxes, rheas, pampas ptarmigan, and the Patagonian hare.

There are not many places in the world where you can see so many animals in their natural environment. In a boat on boat excursion or walking along a steep bank, you will be so close to them that you can study all their habits.
It is also possible to organize scuba diving on the peninsula.

Ibera

The Iberian Marshes are the second largest wetland in Latin America, covering almost 1,400 thousand hectares in the province of Corrientes. Over time, the old channels and channels of the Paraná River formed this complex network of swamps, swamps, small lakes, dams and rain streams.

The Iberian marshes are reservoirs of stagnant water, the depth of which varies from one to three meters. These water surfaces are covered with two types of aquatic plants: some rise from the bottom, forming thickets along the banks, while others stay on the surface, sometimes reaching great thickness. Over time, soil brought by water and wind accumulates on such layers, and then new plants and even trees begin to grow on it. Sometimes such layers grow into real islands that move along the water surface, guided by wind and currents.

The system includes three botanical provinces: Espinal in the south, Chaco Oriental in the west and Paraná in the north.
This diversity is expressed in the plant wealth of the territory, which is represented by reeds, water lilies, water lentils, irises, water hyacinths, and small ferns. Reeds, laurel trees, yatai palms (in other words, colored palms), entire galleries and islands of interlocking trees grow here. Among the different types of trees that can be seen in the area are: tecoma (Indian jasmine), urundea, black laurel, white quebracho (Cutraceae family), ombu (phytolacca dioecious), jacaranda, erinthrina, willow.
Two species of caimans live in the swamps (reptiles of the alligator family, distinguished from other alligators by the presence of a bony abdominal shell). One of them is the black caiman (Melanosuchus niger). It is the largest, can reach 4 - 5 meters in length, about 30% of the length is the tail. It has a narrow jaw, dark skin and a yellow belly. The other is the broad-faced caiman (Caiman latirostris). It was the latter that suffered the greatest destruction due to its very valuable leather.
Other common species include the river wolf cub, capybara (capybara) - the largest modern rodent, swamp deer, large fox (Chrysocyon brachyurus), black howler monkey and others. You can also find smaller species here: the small gray fox (Dusicyon griseus), armadillo, ferret, weasel, hare, viscacha, lizards, and turtle. Among the reptiles: aquatic boa constrictor, common boa constrictor, nyakanina (a large poisonous snake), as well as various poisonous snakes: rattlesnake, keffiyeh and others.
There are more than three hundred species of birds in the marshes: various herons, goldfinches, cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) and other colorful species.

Considering the diversity and uniqueness of the animal world of the protected area, the most exciting activity here will be observing wildlife. Tourists are offered classic birdwatching programs; boat trips, from which you can get better acquainted with the inhabitants of the waters; horseback riding excursions and leisurely walking tours.

Los Cardones
100 km from the city of Salta, in the mountains, at an altitude of 2700 to 5000 m above sea level, on an area of 65 thousand hectares, there is a real cactus field with bright flashes of yellow daffodils. Cacti of a special type in the form of slender columns, found in abundance up to 3400 m above sea level, reach 250-300 years of age and three meters in height. In the past, the road from the Inkaiko Empire to the Enchanted Valley passed through cactus fields. And to this day, some residents of the region consider plants to be strict guardians of the tranquility of the mountains and valleys, scaring away strangers. Currently, cacti of this species are on the verge of extinction due to the irrational use of their fiber.
In the national park you can also find churka trees, which belong to the legume family and form small forests. Due to its special geographical location, the park is home to vicuñas, wild donkeys, foxes, parrots, armadillos, about 100 species of birds, condors, etc. Fossil remains of long-extinct animals and traces of dinosaurs have also been discovered here. The park was founded in December 1996.

ARGENTINA

Nahuel Huapi

Nahuel Huapi National Park in Argentina, in the provinces of Neuquén and Rio Herpo, covers an area of about 800,000 hectares. It was created in 1903 thanks to the famous naturalist of Argentina, Dr. Francisco Perito Moreno (1852–1919). The country's first national park originally covered an area of 8,000 hectares between Puero Blest and Lake Frias. In 1907, the protected area was expanded to 43,000 hectares, and in 1922 it reached its current size. After a conservation law was passed in 1934, Nahuel Huapi became Argentina's first national park.

The attraction of the park is the extinct volcano Tronador, 3554 m above sea level (translated from Spanish tronador - loud, thundering). It rises above a belt of forests and numerous lakes of glacial origin. The main peak of Tronador is El Principal. From the top of Tronador, from its steep cliffs, eight glaciers slide into deep gorges. The Frias River originates in the glaciers of Tronador, carrying matte green waters.

Another attraction of the park and its decoration is Lake Nahuel Huapi, located at an altitude of 767 m, about 70 km long and with an area of 530 square meters. km. It is very deep, with steep banks, and navigable. Other lakes are associated with this lake (Gutierrez, Perito Moreno, Correntoso, Gallardo, Frias, Frey, etc.).

Located on the lake big Island with an area of 3700 hectares - Victoria. It is famous for the ruins of ancient buildings and rock carvings, some of which are 9 thousand years old. There are five small lakes on the island.

Forests of huge cedars and evergreen beeches are well preserved here. The age of some beeches up to 40 m high and 2 m in diameter reaches 500 years. In the forests of the Andes, Patagonian larches 30–35 m high and 2–3 m in diameter rise above the southern beech trees. They resemble California redwoods. Their trunks are entwined with vines, and various epiphytes settle on them.

The Quetrihue peninsula cuts into the surface of Lake Nahuel Huapi, on which forests of arrayana grow - trees with trunks, intricately curved, with smooth cinnamon-colored bark. During the flowering period, they are literally strewn with white flowers, and during the period of fruit ripening, the forest turns purple-bronze.

The Brazo-Bleet Bay of Lake Nahuel Huapi is very deep. Its shores rise up as steep walls of water, reminiscent of Norwegian fjords or the canals of Tierra del Fuego.

There are many driving tours available in the national park. But the greatest demand is for the 280 km “around the world” trip (Bariloche, the Limay River, lakes Traful, Correntoso and Espejo, the town of La Angostura, the northeastern coast of Lake Nahuel Huapi, Limay and Bariloche again).

Touring the park, tourists enter the Enchanted Valley, where they can see formations of the Tertiary period, altered by erosion and time. For their bizarre shapes they were given the names Castle, Finger of God, Penitent, Thoughtful India, etc. Lake Traful (32 km long, up to 3 km wide) is rich in salmon. On the shore of the lake is the town of Traful with hotels and a pier. Lake Correntoso (length approximately 40 km), located at an altitude of 816 m above sea level, is surrounded on all sides by humid beech forest. The Correntoso River, only 100 m long, flows out of the lake.

Mouse possums live in the forests. In the streams there is a Darwin's rhinoderma frog, the male of which holds fertilized eggs in his throat sac until the tadpoles themselves jump out of his mouth. Few American rhea ostriches survive. Shelduck ducks nest in the steppe. A few armadillos. Hippocamelus, guanaco, vicuna, and chinchilla also live here.

The cougar, the second largest cat in North America, can be found in hard-to-reach places. It was called a panther, leopard, mountain or Mexican lion. Unlike other wild cats, the puma does not show ferocity towards humans. But this did not save her from the brutal persecution of white settlers (the Indians did not hunt the puma - they revered her).

The puma is very reminiscent of a panther, but differs from it in its elegant and graceful build. Its color is always monochromatic - gray or reddish (puma kittens are born spotted, like panthers, and the spots disappear with age).

In the south of Patagonia, the puma does not exceed 1.22 m in length and weighs no more than 30–40 kg. When attacking, a puma reaches speeds of up to 18 m/sec, jumps 7–8 m from a standstill, and climbs trees excellently. Hunts mainly elk and deer.

The puma lives alone. Each animal occupies an area of 15–40 square meters. miles and does not allow rivals on it.

In North America, the puma has no serious enemies, but in South and Central America, the puma has a very dangerous enemy - the jaguar, which is much stronger than it, but the puma is lighter and more agile.

Puma can attack wild and domestic animals. Having climbed into the corral, she slaughters 6-7 cows or sheep at once (while the jaguar always kills only one animal). Therefore, the profession of a tiger has long existed - a hunter of jaguars and pumas. True, now the situation has changed somewhat: there are few pumas and jaguars left, so they are protected almost everywhere, and the government often pays farmers compensation for livestock killed by predators.

There are many birds in the park: poorly flying thanakulos, black Magellanic woodpecker, Chilean hummingbirds, wedge-tailed parrots. The condor is on the verge of extinction. The lakes are inhabited mainly by loons. There are also ducks, black-necked swan, gulls and cormorants.

On south coast The lake is located in the center of the national park - the city of San Carlos de Bariloche, which is connected to the capital by regular air and rail services. Tourists arriving here certainly visit the F. Moreno Museum, which contains relics of the missionaries and conquerors of this region, and presents household items of the local population.

From November 1 to April 15, fishing is permitted in the lakes of the Nahuel Huapi Park under licenses from the main administration of the national park. A license is also issued for shooting red deer on Lake Victoria. Climbers, or, as they are called here, Andinists, also go to the park (in 1931, the Andino Bariloche club was created, which equipped mountain shelters on the slopes of the mountains).

In addition to the Nahuel Huapi National Park, in the Patagonia region there is another Los Glaciers National Park (it was founded in 1937). The most notable things in the park are the large glacial lakes Viedma and Lago Argentino. One of the glaciers that discharges its flows into the lake is Perito Moreno, declared a UNESCO monument of world importance.

It is better to go to the famous glacier from El Calafate, which has retained its provincial appearance. Small houses with peaked roofs and walls painted in pastel colors predominate here. El Calafate is named after a local plant that produces blue berries, from which a pleasant-tasting marmalade is made. The legend says: whoever tries it will definitely come back here.

After a two-hour journey, tourists reach the spurs of the Cordillera. Passing through the gates of the national park, travelers will see a seemingly unreal giant formation up to 70 m high of a bluish-white ice mass. It rises between mountain ranges and holds its “tongue” in the lake.

Something is constantly crackling in the glacier. Or maybe suddenly an unimaginable roar can be heard - a piece of ice several tons falls into the water.

The glacier and the peninsula are separated by the so-called Iceberg Channel, which is only 5 m wide. Therefore, it happened that ice masses closed the channel. Naturally, in the southern part of Lake Lago Argentino, which is fed by glaciers, there is no water flow. Gradually, the water level here rises by 20 m or more, and the water breaks through the top of the glacier every three to four years, causing the glacier to continue to grow.

Perito Moreno is beautiful at any time of the year. Its pointed peaks shimmer with multi-colored “lights” and sparkle in the sun. The bravest ones undertake to conquer the glacier. The inscription on the shields installed here warns that more than one daredevil who climbed the giant was killed by ice fragments. Tourists take their first steps on the ice accompanied by guides, who first of all attach devices with 3 cm long spikes to the travelers’ shoes.

In 1934, Argentina adopted a law on nature conservation, according to which the country's national parks are museums in nature, reserves where local species of plants and animals can develop freely. It is also noted that national parks have economic, cultural, aesthetic and scientific significance.

National parks in Argentina are divided into three zones.

The first zone includes areas of virgin nature, or inviolable zones.

The second zone includes areas that have been degraded for various reasons (landscape restoration work is provided here).

The third zone consists of recreational areas - roads, hotel complexes, facilities and service enterprises, etc. Argentine ecologists believe that the territory of the third zone must be reduced.

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Argentina occupies the southeastern part of the South American mainland and a number of nearby islands. It borders in the west with Chile, in the north with Bolivia and Paraguay, in the northeast with Brazil and Uruguay. In the east it is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Argentina is located in three climatic zones: tropical, subtropical and temperate. Summer in the south of the country is cold: the average temperature of even the warmest month, here it is January, is +15°C. The "Pole of Heat" in Argentina is the tropical region of the Gran Chaco in the north. In summer, the air there warms up to +30 - +40°C, and in winter average temperatures reach +17 - +20°C.

Flora and fauna of Argentina

In the north of the country there are subtropical forests in which there are trees of valuable species: the evergreen coniferous araucaria and the lapacho tree, from the bark of which a very healthy tea drink is prepared, known even to the Incas.

In the southern parts of the country, shrubby vegetation predominates. Vast wetlands are covered with reeds, reeds, and water lilies, while higher and drier areas are occupied by meadows with rich grass cover. In some places there are sparse forests of acacias, mimosa, ostrich trees, and palm groves along the river banks.

One of the plants is the national flower of Argentina. This is Erythrina, or Coral tree. Some species of this plant are used for landscaping park areas and streets.

The country's fauna is somewhat less diverse than that of other Latin American countries, but most of it consists of species found nowhere else on the continent or in the world.

These include the Pampas deer, Pampas cat, and Magellanic dog. In the north-west of the country, on the territory of the high-mountain volcanic plateau Puna, the relict spectacled bear is found.

In the vast expanses of Pampa there are pumas, and in some places you can still find wild chinchillas, most of which were exterminated for their fur. The reservoirs are inhabited by otters and nutria, as well as a large number of waterfowl. In subtropical forests there are various species of hummingbirds, including rare ones.

Architectural and cultural monuments

The cultural and architectural landscape of Argnetina is varied and somewhat heterogeneous. Buenos Aires is not just the capital of the country - it is a city that combines the architectural heritage of the times of the Spanish conquistadors and the creations of modern architects. Cultural landscape Buenos Aires is in line to be included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Casa Rosada (Spanish: La Casa Rosada, The Pink House).

This building in the central square of Plaza de Mayo houses the main official working residence of the President of Argentina. The characteristic pink color of the walls of Casa Rosada turned the presidential residence into one of the most memorable buildings of Buenos Aires, into one of its architectural symbols - it is included in the list of National Monuments of Argentina.

The history of this building is interesting. In 1594, a fort was erected on the site of this building according to the design of the Spanish conquistador Juan de Garay. The building was thoroughly rebuilt in 1713 and existed until 1857, when it was almost completely destroyed. Only a small outbuilding survived, from which a building began to grow in 1862, which still stands today.

The unusual color of the walls, according to existing legend, was supposed to symbolize the reconciliation of the country's two main political parties - the Unitarians and the Federalists. The colors of these parties were, respectively, white and red.

The version, of course, is beautiful in its own way, but the Argentines also tell another version, much more prosaic: the pink color of the building’s walls is due to cow’s blood, which was added to the paint for greater durability.

Pedestrian bridge Puente de la Mujer (Women's Bridge, Women's Bridge, Spanish Puente de la Mujer). The bridge was opened recently - on December 20, 2001, but this did not stop it from immediately becoming one of the attractions of the Argentine capital. The author of the project, Spaniard Santiago Calatrava, says that the silhouette of the bridge symbolizes a couple dancing tango.

The bridge is located in the Puerto Madero area - it is a modern business district, built on the site of old docks and piers. All the streets in this quarter bear women's names, which is why the bridge was called the Woman's Bridge.

The river in this place is navigable, but the bridge is not opened or even raised: its central section rotates 90°, allowing the ship to pass.

Reserves and national parks

Argentina has several large nature reserves and national parks, also included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Cueva de las Manos (Spanish: Cueva de las Manos, Cave of Hands). Located in the south of Argentina, in the valley of the Pinturas River. On the walls of the cave are painted wall paintings of animals and negative images of human hands, the earliest of which date back to 9 thousand BC.

According to the results of archaeological excavations, the cave for a long time was inhabited: the ancestors of the Indians of Patagonia lived in it. The latest drawings date back to the first millennium AD. The paints used to make the drawings are of mineral origin. Bone tubes were found in the cave, with the help of which the drawings were made.

In addition to numerous hands, the walls of the cave also depict scenes of hunting guanacos, rhea ostriches, cats and other animals. The drawings show the use of bolas, a traditional throwing weapon of the Indians of South America.

Inca Bridge (Spanish: Puente del Inca) and geothermal springs. The so-called Inca Bridge is an object of natural origin, a natural bridge over the Mendoza River. The width of the bridge is 28 meters, length - 48, and thickness - 8 meters. The height of the arch is 27 meters.

Scientists believe that the bridge could have been formed as a result of a sequence of avalanches and rockfalls: avalanche ice and snow formed the first layer above the river, on which lay the second - from stones, dust and rock debris. The first layer melted, and the second, caking and soaking in the mineralized water of nearby geothermal springs, gradually formed the arch of a natural bridge.

Near the bridge, in the village of the same name, there are five geothermal springs. Venus, Mars, Saturn, Mercury and Champagne. The waters of the springs are rich in sodium chloride, alkali metals, arsenic-containing minerals, soda, various kinds of carbonates and sulfates. The water temperature varies from 33 °C to 38 °C in different sources.

Iguazu Falls (Spanish: Cataratas del Iguazu, port: Cataratas do Iguaçu). The complex is 2.7 km wide and includes approximately 270 individual waterfalls. The height of the water fall reaches 82 meters, but at most waterfalls it is a little more than 60 meters.

The largest waterfall - "Devil's Throat" (Spanish: Garganta del Diablo) is a U-shaped cliff 150 meters wide and 700 meters long. This waterfall, in addition to everything, marks the border between Brazil and Argentina.

Iguazu Falls is one of the most visited tourist destinations in South America. Every year there are 1.5-2 million visitors. Equipped especially for tourists observation decks. In the vicinity of the waterfall there are hiking and driving routes, including those passing at the very foot of the waterfalls.

According to one of the local legends, waterfalls on the river appeared for the following reason: an Indian youth kidnapped his beloved and sailed with her on a boat down the Iguazu River. The gods opposed this and decided to stop the lovers.

They opened a gorge in front of them, into which the waters of the once calm river fell. Once in the whirlpool, the girl turned into one of the stones that lie at the foot of the waterfall. The young man became one of the trees that surround the river and waterfall, and now he forever looks at his beloved.

Fans of active recreation can go to ski resorts in the foothills of the Andes. For those who prefer to observe underwater worlds, there is the opportunity to go diving in Patagonia: in the Beagle Channel you can see a sunken ship lying on the bottom, and near the island of Tierra del Fuego you can find huge spider crabs and dolphins. Divers from all over the world come to Puerto Madryn to appreciate the beauty of the local waters.

Parks of Argentina: national parks, reserves, protected areas of Argentina, natural parks.

Any UNESCO

the most unesco

Iguazu Falls

Province of Misiones, Ruta 101 Km 142, 3370 Puerto Iguazu, Las Cataratas del Iguazu

Iguazu National Park is located just 18 km from the city of Puerto Iguazu and 7 km from the airport. Its main attraction is the famous waterfall of the same name, a real wonder of the world. It is located on the border of Brazil and Argentina, close to the border with Paraguay.

Millions of tourists from all over the world every year travel across countries, seas, continents and oceans to get acquainted with the main attraction of Argentina - its nature. And there really is something to see here. The country stretches for long distance from north to south, thanks to which it accommodated a variety of relief forms on its territory. The northern and eastern regions are characterized by flat plateaus, while the western and southern parts are mainly dominated by hills. The flora of Argentina is also diverse; semi-deserts, tropical and subtropical forests often coexist here. The country's fauna is also rich due to its size; there are many endemic and endangered species here, for example, pampas deer, vicuñas, chinchillas, Magellanic dogs, tuco-tucos, and Chuck peccaries. The little songbird, the red stove-bird, has become one of the national symbols Argentina.

Features of Argentina's reserves

To date, the country has created 33 national parks, four natural monuments, as well as many protected areas of regional importance. The landscapes, flora and fauna of Argentina have long outgrown the boundaries of national pride and have become a world heritage; it is no coincidence that seven natural sites of the country are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The abundance of areas with untouched nature is explained by the harsh climate, inaccessibility of many areas and the relatively low population density of the country.

Popular National Parks

It is difficult to say which of the Argentine reserves is the most important; they are all beautiful in their own way and are proud of their unique natural monuments. The main advantage of Los Glaciares National Park is its glaciers, the most famous of which is the giant Perito Moreno. It slides at a constant rate of 1.5 m per day, periodically separating pieces the size of a 20-story building with a thunderous crack.

American rhea ostriches, Andean condors, Patagonian hares, guanacos, pumas and rare gray foxes have taken root in the park.

In the dried-up bed of the Talampaya River, scientists are studying dinosaur fossils, and the remains of ancient settlements are preserved in Puerta del Canyon.

The oldest reserve in Argentina, Nahuel Huapi, stretches from the southeastern territories of the province of Neuquen to the northeast of the province of Rio Negro. Its main features are the extinct volcano Tronador, 3.5 km high, covered with glaciers, and the mountain lake of the same name, Nahuel Huapi. Another reserve of the province of Neuquen - Lanin National Park - is famous for its forests of rare tree species: nothofagus oblique and alpine, Chilean araucaria. In addition, on its territory there is a huge Lanin volcano, glacial lakes Lakar, Uekulafken, Alumine and many rivers.

You can see giant cacti in Los Cardones Park. Here, at an altitude of 3 to 5 km above sea level, there are entire cactus fields.

Cacti of a special type of cardon in the form of branching pillars reach there a respectable 300 years of age and three meters in height.

Other reserves and parks in Argentina

Chaco National Park is located in the central part of the South American continent, in the east of the Gran Chaco plain, and the Valdes Peninsula Nature Reserve in the northeast of the province of Chubut is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The peculiar, arid Ibera National Park in the province of Corrientes ranks second in area among all wetlands in Latin America.

The natural parks of Ischigualasto and Talampaya are famous for their archaeological excavations, preserved relict flora and fauna, as well as unearthly mountain landscapes.