Argentina – Tropical Forest, Ranches & Glaciers
The second biggest country in South America has been formed by the Europeans like no other country in South America. The Spaniards came in the 16th century because they speculated, that there is a lot of silver to be found. Therefore, they named the country Argentinum, which means Silver Land.
The speculations were not fruitful and after a war with the Spanish crown, Argentina became independent in the early 19th century. The country itself is characterized by vast prairie in the northeast and the Andes in the west at the border to Chile.
The large country combines almost all climate zones. You can find tropical areas in the north-east, the subtropical climate in the rest of the north, and cold climate in the Andes and the south of the country. Near the northern Andes of Argentina, you can find mystical forests that are covered in fog. Wandering through these woods will make you feel like you just escaped from a fairytale.
The prairie of Argentina offers a moderate and wet climate, which is used perfectly for ranching. Many wealthy families from Buenos Aires used the possibilities in the early independence 200 years ago, to establish ranches in the vast countryside. Some of these farms have opened their lands for tourism and offer horseback riding tours through the landscape. Depending on the climate and the location, each tour can be unique and is pure bliss for nature lovers.
The complete opposite is waiting for you in the south of the country. The region is called Patagonia and can be only described as the end of the world. The region Patagonia is shared by Argentina and Chile and has no strictly determined borders. This unique region is almost as big as Europe and very sparsely populated. On each square kilometer are 2 inhabitants only.
The best time to visit Patagonia is from November to March, the summer in the southern hemisphere. The average temperature in January is at 11°C, while the yearly average is at -6,5°C. If you are traveling to Patagonia, be prepared. Especially the south is very cold and will welcome you with roughly 300 days of rain per year.
If you are visiting this unreal part of the world, you will be in for majestic landscapes. You can visit the 3.406 m high “Los Glaciares”, the most infamous national park in South America. It is located directly at the border between Argentina and Chile and is home to an icefield that is 350 km long. This large body of ice has been formed through the glaciers and borders to the glacier lakes Lago Argentino and Lago Viedma.
If you want to explore Argentina or especially Patagonia on your own with a rental car, you need to be prepared. The weather conditions can turn very quickly. When you are driving from the north to the south of the country, always bring clothes for all 4 seasons with you, so you can enjoy the end of the world.
