Region Information

Mesopotamia: It is that part of Argentina between the Paraná and the Uruguay rivers. The rivers winding channels and sandbars made navigation difficult, in fact, Mesopotamia was an island. The area between and along the rivers is commonly known as the littoral. Traditionally, it has been an isolated area with strong regional identity. The low rolling terrain in Southern Mesopotamia in Entre Ríos province has a productive agriculture, the alluvial grasslands of the central Corrientes province support mostly livestock except where interrupted by marshes like the Estero del Iberá. The mountainous northern Misiones province whose vegetation is mostly a subtropical forest boasts of having the most spectacular waterfalls.

Corrientes: Esteros del Iberá is a potential national park with wildlife comparable to the Pantanal do Mato Grosso in Brazil. It is the great but little known highlight of the entire Mesopotamia region and today mainly known as one of the most attractive adventure tourism places in the country. It lies on the heart of the province and it is a nearly trackless wilderness occupying 13,000 sq km. This nature reserve known by the native indians Guaraníes as the “Brilliant Water” has 7 lagoons and more than 43 lesser pools. It is a perfect spot for the observation of fauna and birds, photographic safaris, horseback excursions, canoeing and trekking. The variety of its trees is endless. However, the aquatic vegetation is the principal characteristic of this zone. The irupe, a beautiful flower and the symbol of the marshlands, is food for the carpincho, a kind of otter and the largest rodent in the world. The most notable wildlife species are reptiles like the cayman, mammals like the capybara, pampas, swamp deer and some 280 species of marsh birds like storks, ducks, herons, sea gulls, and flamingos. In its waters there is a large variety of fish: dorados, shads, mojarras and piranhas. The capital city is homonymous to the province. Corrientes city is located on the eastern shore of the Paraná river which is the natural border between Corrientes and Chaco provinces. The General Belgrano bridge crosses over the river towards Resistencia, the capital city of Chaco. Corrientes is famous for its carnival celebrations.

Misiones: Its history is best known for the Jesuit settlements for which the province is named. From 1607 the Jesuits established 30 missions and perhaps as many as 100,000 indians lived in these settlements. The Jesuits’ high degree of organization is shown in ruins like San Ignacio with its enormous plaza, imposing church and extensive outbuildings. Unlike most secular Spaniards and many other monastic orders, they took their obligation to instruct indigenous people in the Spanish language and Catholic religion very seriously. They also taught music, literature, and the arts. Most of the elaborate sandstone statuary that embellishes the ruins is the work of Guaraní sculptors. San Ignacio is 56km east from Posadas, the capital of the province. This province was the location for the filming of  “The Mission” with Robert De Niro and Jeremy Irons. The most important feature in the province are the Iguazú Falls.

Iguazú Falls: One of the most fascinating scenes in America. These water falls are within the natural park of 200,000ha spread between Argentina and Brazil. They were originated 200 thousand years ago in what today is known as "the three frontiers" where the Iguazú and the Paraná rivers meet. A geological fault produced on the Paraná riverbed made the outlet of the Iguazú river become an abrupt cascade of 80m high approximately. There are 270 falls along cliffs and islands in the 23km between this place and the most famous of all falls called The Devil's Throat. The violence of the falls produces a permanent fog where sunbeans create multiple rainbows all day long. In Guaraní language, Iguazú means Big Water. The falls were discovered in 1541 and it was in 1984 when the UNESCO declared them Natural Patrimony of Humanity. Nature lovers will find flora and fauna in their natural habitat. The nearest city is Puerto Iguazú where there is an airport.