Flora & Fauna

Due to the fact that Argentina is so large and varied in its environment, it shelters a wide range of flora and fauna. The distinctive biota in the sub-tropical rainforests, the palm savannas, the high-altitude deserts, the high-latitude steppes, the humid temperate grasslands, the alpine and the sub-Antarctic forests in this country, will be unfamiliar to most visitors, or at least to those from the northern hemisphere.

Here is a short list of special points of interest, where you will enjoy an outstanding flora or fauna:

Iguazú National Park: In the northeastern province of Misiones, on the border with Brazil and Paraguay. This very popular park contains the breathtaking Iguazú falls. It also preserves nearly 55,500 hectares of sub-tropical rainforest, with abundant birds, mammals, and reptiles.

Los Glaciares National Park: One of the "must see" attractions is the famous Perito Moreno glacier, one of the few glaciers in the world that is currently advancing. The majestic peaks of the Fitz Roy range invite to a much longer stay. Southern beech forests cover substantial zones of the 600,000-hectare park.

Tierra del Fuego National Park: The only shoreline national park in Argentina, this unit on the Beagle Channel stretches inland to envelop alpine glaciers and peaks within its 63,000 hectares. There are marine mammals, seabirds, shorebirds, and extensive forests of southern beech.

Los Arrayanes National Park: This park on a small peninsula near Bariloche protects pure stands of the unique Arrayan tree, a member of the Myrtle family.

Los Alerces National Park: Along the Andean crest in Chubut province, west of the city of Esquel, this very attractive park protects 263,000 hectares of the unique Valdivian forest ecosystem, which includes impressive specimens of the Alerce tree.

Talampaya National Park: It is in the western La Rioja province, among desert landscapes. This 270,000 hectare park is a fauna and flora reserve with major paleontological and archaeological resources.

Peninsula Valdés: The Chubut provincial reserve of Peninsula Valdés is an important destination for wildlife enthusiasts. Marine mammals, including whales, sea lions, and elephant seals are the main attraction, but there are also Magellan penguins and other unusual seabirds. Along the Patagonian coast there are many smaller reserves with breeding colonies of seabirds and marine mammals.

Punta Tombo: South of Trelew in Chubut has an enormous nesting colony of burrowing Magellan penguins.