House of travel South and Central America Brochure 2017 | Page 18

Experience Argentina A feast for all of the senses, Argentina keeps travellers entranced for weeks. From Fast Facts Country name: Republic of Argentina Population: 43.9 Million Capital: Buenos Aires Languages: Spanish, English Currency: Argentine Peso Time zone: 15 hours behind New Zealand (16 hours with daylight saving) Electricity: Current is 220V/230V, 50HZ Plug is a 2 point round-pin adaptor Festivals and Events 2017 14 02 Jan Dakar Challenge, Buenos Aires 01 Mar Tilcara Earth Carnival, Tilcara 02 Apr Malvinas Rememberence Day 17 Jul La Rural Festival, Buenos Aires 12 Aug World Tango Championships, Buenos Aires the aroma of sizzling beef steaks and the icy sensation of trekking a glacier, to feeling the passion of a street tango or the spray from one of the world’s most magnificent waterfalls, Argentina delivers it all. The abundance of sights and sensations is partly due to Argentina’s sheer size, stretching from the tropics in the north to the frozen wilderness of Patagonia. While exotic butterflies and birds grace the rainforests, penguins and whales star in the far south. Both regions are distinctively different from the rolling Pampas where gauchos (cowboys) roam. Argentina’s history is as varied and colourful as its landscape. The Spanish arrived in the 16th century, putting their indelible cultural stamp on the land. Then last century it was the charismatic, tragic figure of Eva Peron (Evita) who became Argentina’s most famous figure. She lies buried in the capital, Buenos Aires – a visit to her grave in the Recoleta Cemetery is an essential pilgrimage. But there’s nothing sorrowful about Buenos Aires. This city pulsates with life; with tango dancing in historic San Telmo plazas, the historic football rivalry between La Boca and River Plate, and a sense of wealth and power around Plaza de Mayo. Beyond the vibrancy of Buenos Aires lies the Iguazu Falls, one of South America’s most spectacular sights with more than 20km of plummeting, thunderous water. The fascination doesn't just stop at these famous falls, the Iguazu Falls also feeds the surrounding lush rainforest which is definitely worth spending quality time in.