Argentina:
Tourists will be thrilled by the landscape of Argentina, especially the Andes mountains in the west, Patagonia, and Tierra Del Fuego in the far south. In fact, the country boasts several different climatic zones, including the tropical northeast Gran Chaco forests, the snowy southern Andes, the desert western lowlands, and the mild-climate pampas. Since more than 85 per cent of the people live in cities, the countryside is fairly empty and available for exploration and adventure. Trekking is especially good in Argentina, and it's fairly well organized, with huts in the mountains and trekkers' organizations to supply advice, maps and even tours. In southern Argentina, you can go on organized boat tours to see whales, seals, sea lions, penguins and other birds.
If you decide to climb Mount Aconcagua, be aware that this is not a boy scouts' field trip; in 1998, 16 climbers died in storms on this mountain--more climbers than died on Mount Everest in 1996!
At present, Argentina is the richest country in South America. This means it's not the cheapest destination. But the cities are relatively crime-free.
Argentina returned to multiparty democracy in 1983, and since then the military torture masters have been taken to task. Carlos Menem was president from1989 until October 1999. Then Fernando de la Rua won the election to become the new president, with the promise to ease high unemployment, poverty, crime and corruption.
This page last updated July 2, 2000.