Argentina Discovery

The Valdes Peninsula (Spanish Península Valdés) is a peninsula along the Atlantic coast in the Biedma Department in the north east of Chubut Province, Argentina. Its size is about 3,625 km². The nearest large town is Puerto Madryn.

Most of the peninsula is barren land with some salt lakes. The largest of these lakes is at an elevation of about 40 m below sea level, until recently thought to be the lowest elevation in Argentina and South America. (The lowest point being Laguna del Carbón, Argentina).

It is an important nature reserve which was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. The coastline is inhabited by marine mammals, like sea lions, elephant seals and fur seals. Southern right whales can be found in Golfo Nuevo and Golfo San José, protected bodies of water located between the peninsula and the Patagonian mainland.

These baleen whales come here between May and December, for mating and giving birth, because the water in the gulf is quieter and warmer than in the open sea. Orcas can be found off the coast, in the open sea off the peninsula. In this area, they are known to beach themselves on shore to capture sea lions and elephant seals.

The inner part of the peninsula is inhabited by rheas, guanacos and maras. A high diversity and range of birds live in the peninsula as well; at least 181 bird species, 66 of which migratory, live in the area, including the Antarctic Pigeon.

UNESCO World Heritage Centre

Brief Description

Península Valdés in Patagonia is a site of global significance for the conservation of marine mammals. It is home to an important breeding population of the endangered southern right whale as well as important breeding populations of southern elephant seals and southern sea lions. The orcas in this area have developed a unique hunting strategy to adapt to local coastal conditions.

Justification for Inscription

Criterion (x): Peninsula Valdés contains very important and significant natural habitats for the in-situ conservation of several threatened species of outstanding universal value, and specifically its globally important concentration of breeding southern right whales, which is an endangered species. It is also important because of the breeding populations of southern elephant seals and southern sea lions. The area exhibits an exceptional example of adaptation of hunting techniques by the orca to the local coastal conditions.

GENERAL INFORMATION OF THE AREA

PN Tierra del Fuego (Tierra del Fuego national park) was created in 1960 through the Law Nº 15.554 and covers a 63.000 hectares surface. It is situated in Patagonic Forest and Altos Andes eco-regions.

The Patagonic Forest eco-region is characterized by a climate that goes from warm to cold, with snows and winter rains. It has a landscape dominated by high and irregular mountains, with glacier valleys and “semidesiduos” forests.

Altos Andes eco-region is characterized by a hills chain and slopes over “endorreicas” plains.

CULTURAL RESOURCES
The first inhabitants

The first human occupation of the Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego was 10.000 years ago. It was occupied by a large ethnic variety. This situation shows that they related very much with a difficult environment like this one.

In the current Park lived the yamana tribe. In the Beagle Channel coasts and in Roca Lake exist many sites that show an ancestral relationship between the inhabitants and the nature.

The inhabitants installed their camps in the beaches in order to take advantage of maritime resources. They travel by canoe, constructed with branches and "lenga's" wood, and dedicated to sea wolfs hunt and molluscs collection. Through the coast visitors can find the rests accumulated of that consume. They used to live in huts made by branches and trunks and their clothes were just leather layers.

These groups disappeared when the first creoles and European settlers appeared in 1880. Diseases were the cause of the extinction of the culture. Other reasons were the “shoot exercises” of the european explorer, who also poisoned the aborigines in order to be free to exploit the sea wolfs. The demographic information is incredible: at the beginning of the settler's arrival, in 1880, there were 3.000 yamanas, but ten years later they were only 1.000. And in 1910 they were no more than a hundred

NATURAL RESOURCES
Landscapes, flora and fauna
The landscape of the area is complex and abrupt because of the erosive action of the glacier accumulation process, which doesn't exist nowadays. After much geomorphologic process, the Cordillera de los Andes raised as a group of mountain chains that surrounded a deep forest valleys crossed by rivers and lakes.
In the coast sector there are Lapataia and Ensenada Bays, where precipices and little beaches are intercalated and constituted an ideal ambient for a seaside “avifauna”.
Between the flora that characterized the “Andino-Patagonico” forests, the “lenga” is the better distributed, forming large extensions of pure forests that covers the mountain slopes from the level of the sea to 600 metres.
The “guindo” or “coihue de Magallanes” coexists with the “lenga” in the wettest areas, like in Pipo River Valley and in some mountain slopes in the south side. Over their branches lives the “farolito chino”, a “hemiparasita”, and the “pande indio” or “llao llao”, a parasite fungus.
The pure “guindo” forests develop in the rainiest areas, like Beagle channel coast. There also grows other species from the wet forest like the 2canelo” and the “leña dura”.

In many places the “canelo” is abundant and forms little forests. In the windiest regions the “guindo” acquires a particular shape, known as “arbol bandera”. The prickly bushes like “calafate”, “chaura” and “michay” –which has orangey flowers- grows in the “sotobosque”.
In the wettest grounds grows “frutilla del diablo” and little ferns. During the summer plants with beautiful flowers like "orquideas amarillas" and "luzuriagas" cover the “sotobosque” ground.
Is common to see in marginal areas of the forests “mata negra” brushes accompanied by “calafate”, “parrilla” and “notro”. This last specie, with red tubular flowers typical of the spring of Tierra del Fuego, can be found also in the Beagle Channel coast and in the west side of Lapataia Bay.
On top of 600 metres over the sea level develops the “altoandina” vegetation composed by little bushes, plants “en cojin” and “gramineas”. They develop over rocky grounds that alternated with “vegas” or “malines de altura”. The vegetation of this ambient is adapted because of the wind exposition, the water disponibility and physics characteristics of the ground.
The “turbales” or “turberas” are typical of Tierra del Fuego landscape. Rests of vegetables compressed by the relief depressions compose the “turba”. The “turba” growth is only possible in wet areas, where low temperatures are registered and avoids organic matter decomposition. Low pressure in a less oxygen and acid ambient produced the slowly died plants accumulation that produced the “turba”.
One of the typical herbs that grows in the marine area of the Park is the “siempreviva”, and also grows there little bushes like “chaura” and “mutilla”, and “liquenes” and “musgos” covers the rocks next to the sea.
In the maritime littoral “cachiyuyo” forests, big seaweed, stands out. In the area live a little wild animals variety, composed by twenty mammals specimens and ninety types of birds. But there isn't any amphibian.
One of the mammals that can be easily seen is the “zorro colorado fueguino”. The “guanaco” is an herbivorous that lives in the high zones almost the whole year and only goes down to low valleys during the winter.
Other specimens like the “murcielago orejas de raton”, “raton colilargo”, “rata conejo” and “raton lanoso”, and “huillin” (a carnivorous aquatic mammal from the otter family that lives in the Beagle Channel coasts and in Lapataia Bay) are also present in the area. The flashiest and most present birds in the visited areas are three types of “cauquenes”. They are “cauquen comun”, “cauquen real” and “caranca”, which lives in opened places and beaches. In some occasions they are accompanied by noisy “bandurrias”. Other typical birds are “carpintero patagónico”, “maca común”, "maca grande”, “garza bruja”, "pato creston”, “pato overo”, "pato maicero”, “aguila mora”, "carancho austral”, “chimango” and "tero común”. Usually condors can be seen over flying the peaks and “fueguinos” valleys.
In the marine coast, during the low tide, “diente de perro”, “mejillones”, and red and green seaweed can be seen.
In Lapataia Bay and in the estuary that forms the Cormoranes Archipelago are many molluscs like “mejillones” and “lapas”. Also abounds other molluscs like the “vieira”, the “caracol de luna”, “caracol con diente”, some crustaceans like “centolla” and native fishes, like “sardina fueguina”, “merluza de cola” and “robalo”.
During the summer, in crystal clear jellyfish concentrations can be seen. Also is possible to observe different birds like “gaviotas”, “patos vapor”, “ostreros” and “cormoranes”.

WALKS AND SERVICES
The maintenance is in Ushuaia city. Inside the protected area there is an organized camp in Roca Lake zone, and many free camps in Lapataia and Ensenada Bay and in Pipo River. This Park has short pedestrian paths, which starts from different points of Route 3, like:
De la Isla Walk: It covers across 800 and travels across Cormoranes Archipelago, Lapataia River and Ovando coasts.

Laguna Negra Walk: Its waters present a dark coloration because of the presence of vast “turbales”.

Walk to the Viewpoint: The route covers 500 metres and gets to Lapataia Bay directly through “lengas” forests. From the viewpoint visitors have a panoramic view of the bay.

Turbal Walk: It covers 400 metres up to Lapataia Bay. The walk goes through “lengas” forests and let visitors visit an abandoned “castorera”. It also goes round a “turbal” up to National Route Nº 3.

Walk to the “castorera”: After a 400 metres walk, visitors get to the castorera, where the “castors” constructed their dikes over the “Los Castores” brook.

They're many alternatives to make longer visits:

Pampa Alta Path: It connects Pipo River and Ensenada camps, and crosses “lenga” and “guindo” forests. In Pampa Alta visitors have a panoramic view of the Beagle Channel. It has high difficulty and covers 5 km.

Seaside Path: Joins ensenada camp with Lapataia sector. Visitors can visit the marine coast in Lapataia and Ensenada Bays. It has middle difficulty and covers 8 km.

Path to the Hito XXIV: It goes through the north coast of Roca Lake, which has a glacier origin. It has middle difficulty and covers 10 km.

Path to Guanaco Hill: It includes guanaco Hill ascension (970 metres) through a very hard incline. The path has low difficulty and covers 8 km

CAMPING
The access tickets to the camping area of the National Park, last for 48 hs. from the time this access tickets are presented together with the camping permission extended by the APN personnel or by the Campamento Organizado Lago Roca personnel.

The camping permission without the access ticket is not valid for camping.

CLIMATE
The region's climate is cold, wet and doesn't have dry season. The annual media rains is 700 mm and increases in autumn. The sea influence y the west winds incidence during the whole year determinates a uniform climate. Middle temperatures are low, and in winter they descend up to 0º and in summer they don't exceed 10 Cº. Snows, which are abundant, accumulate during large periods in valleys and slopes

ACCESS
Visitors get to Tierra del Fuego National Park through National Route Nº 3, which is 11 km far from Ushuaia, the most southern city of the world. People can get to that place by plane or by ship

SUGGESTIONS
Remember that you are visiting a protected area, so that is important to pay attention on signs and rules. This attitude contributes to preserve the region and to enjoy it.
The administration suggests the visitors:
-To camp only in authorized places, and not to make trench next to the tent.
-To use heater. If you don't have a heater make small fires only in authorized areas. Use dry and thin wood. Never let fire alive. Before leave the place, put it out carefully, with a lot of water.
-To take bags for garbage with you.
-To ask for permission and follow the instructions in case you want to fish “salmonidos”.
-To remember that is not allowed the entrance with pets.
-Not to feed wild animals.
-To remember that the limit speed is 40 km/h

CONTACTS
Tierra del Fuego National Park
1395, San Martín St.- (V9410VGA)
Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego
Telephone number: 02901-421315
E-mail address: tierradelfuego@apn.gov.ar

Administración de Parques Nacionales
690, Santa Fe St. (1059)- Buenos Aires
Telephone numbers: (011) 4311-6633/0303
E-mail address: informes@apn.gov.ar

This park and national reservation is close to Colon in the province of Entre Rios it is situated on the western margin of the Uruguay river. It conserves a representative sector of extensive palm trees of the Butia Yatay where until the end of the last century they extend through the zone. These palms can reach heights up to 12 meters and they boarder 200 years of age.

In this captivating park that contains an ample richness of flora and fauna. You'll find a special contrast that gives way between the palm trees and the forest from the gallery to the shores of the river and streams. There are various footpaths and trails that exist for you to get to know the park. Some of them can be traversed by car.

The terrain in the park is, for the most part, undulating and sandy, interrupted occasionally by jutting sandstone rocks and streams from the high plains that travel down towards brooks, quietly hidden among the dense vegetation of the forest. This is the continuation of the missionary forest that borders with the Uruguay river, and that at this latitude, does not exhibit much richness in its flora. The most characteristic trees of the area are the laurel, ceibo, ingá, willow, espina corona (thorn of crown), among others.

In another area of the park, close to the administrative center of the park, the species are different.. There, the palm trees give way to ñandubays, coronillos, molles, talas, and locust trees, typical xerophytic vegetation.

The wildlife of the park, a majority of the animals already extinct, is comprised of chinchillas, ferrets, capybaras, nutrias, giant river otters, skunks, mountain cats, rattlesnakes, painted and river turtles.

28 miles south you will find Colón, it's located on the western riverbanks of the Uruguay river. It's an eminently touristic city that accounts on a grand infrastructure of hotels, casinos, camping and beautiful beaches. You can also take part in the possibility in fulfilling activities like fishing, excursions on boats, trekking, etc.

Amongst the places that are worth seeing you will find the Forciaz mill. The Justo José Gervasio de Artigas international bridge that unites Colón and the Uruguayan City Paysandú. The Fiesta Nacional de la Artesanía (the national festival of handcrafts) is put into effect in February; an event that you can not pass up.

More infotmation about Colon and El Palmar National Park

• Iberá National Reserve
• El Palmar National Park

La Boca is a neighborhood, or barrio of the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires. It retains a strong European flavour, with many of its early settlers being from the Italian city of Genoa. In fact the name has a strong assonance with the genoese neighborhood of Boccadasse (or Bocadaze in genoese dialect), and some people believe that the Buenos Aires' barrio was indeed named after it. After a lengthy general strike, La Boca seceded from Argentina in 1882, and the rebels raised the Genoese flag, which was immediately torn down personally by then President Julio Argentino Roca.

It is known throughout the sporting world as the home of Boca Juniors, one of South America's top football clubs. La Boca is a popular destination for touristsCaminito. Other attractions include the La Ribera theatre, many tango clubs and Italian taverns, as well as La Bombonera, home of Boca Juniors. visiting Argentina, with its colourful houses and main street, the

It has also been a centre for radical politics, having elected the first socialist member of Argentine Congress (Alfredo Palacios in 1935) and been home to many demonstrations during the crisis of 2001.

As one of Buenos Aires's 47 barrios, La Boca is located in the city's south-east near its port. The barrio of Barracas is to the west; San Telmo and Puerto Madero are to the north.

It is one of the mosto picturesque places due to its colorful port setting. The corrugated roof style of the houses and the customs reflect the European influence, mainly southern Italian, who arrive between 1860 and 1910.

Te so-called "a Piccola Italia (Little Italy) is stamped with medirerranean style, from its typical restaurants "cantinas" to its architecture. Brightly painted multicolored houses, inhabited by families, called "conventillos" give La Boca its main characteristic. La Boca has always been a working class neghborhood and in the past, people used the paint left over from ships to paint their houses. You will notice that sidewalks are elevated to prevents flooding from the Rio de la Plta. It is best to go there on sundays when there are activities for tourist. We suggest visiting La Boca during daylight hours. 

Caminito Street Museum. Street artist and performers paint, dance tango and take pictures outdoors. There is also a handicrafts market where you can buy all kinds of things.

Quinquela Martín Fine Arts Museum: 1835 Pedro de MEndoza Avenue. The Museum, recently renewed, was built in the upper part of a colorful public school. More than 700 works of ar by the painter Quinquela Martín are exhibited there. The artist could picture the typical beauty of La Boca. 

Other pictures and sculptures by other national and foreing artists can also be found there. 

Boca Juniors Club Stadium. Del Valle Iberlucea street, Brandsen Street, Roca railway and Aristóbulo del Valle Street. The stadium is famous not only for the football matches (soccer) buy also for its architecture. It was built by the Slovenian architect Victor Sulcic who lived in Argentina from 1924. He solved the problem of having little space to built the stadium placing the tribunes one above the other supported by consoles. 

The stadium is called "La Bombonera" (Bombonera means Chocolate Box), due to its shape. It was inaugurated in 1940. It has space for 50 thousand people and on its walls are exhibited works of art by Perez Celis and Maccio. 

San Juan Evangelista Church: Olavarría Street and Martín Rodriguez Street. It was inaugurated in 1886. Its principal facade has a porch which consists of lonian columns. The rest of the building, romantic style, was designed hby architect Pablo Besana where you can enjoy the paintings on the cupulas and the lateral altars.

Nuestra Señora Madre de los Inmigrantes Sunctuary: Brasil Street and Wenceslao Villafae Street, Rio de la Plata, Roca railway lines, Suarez Street, Hernandarias Street, Pilcomayo Street, Patricios Avenue and Defensa Street

The Buenos Aires Cabildo (Spanish: Cabildo de Buenos Aires) is the public building in Buenos Aires that was used as the government house during the colonial times of the Viceroyalty of the River Plate. Today the building is used as a museum.

History

Mayor Manuel de Frías proposed the building of the Cabildo in Plaza de MayoMarch 3, 1608, since the government of the city lacked such a building. Its construction financed with taxes from the port of Buenos Aires, the building was finished in 1610 but was soon found to be too small and had to be expanded. on

In 1682, due to lack of maintenance, the building was almost in ruins, and the construction of a new Cabildo with 2 stories and 11 arches wide was planned. Construction of the new building did not start until July 23, 1725, was suspended in 1728, and restarted in 1731. Soon construction was, however, again suspended due to lack of funds. The tower of the new Cabildo was finished in 1764, yet even by the time of the May Revolution in 1810 the Cabildo was still not completely finished.

The Cabildo was then used as a prison, a situation that lasted until a prison was constructed elsewhere in the city. In 1880 the architect Pedro BenoitAvenida de Mayo avenue and the three northernmost arches of the original eleven were demolished. In 1931, to create room for the Julio A. Roca avenue, the three southernmost arcs were removed, thereby restoring the central place of the tower, but leaving only five of the original arches. raised the tower by 10 meters and with a dome covered with glazed tiles, instead of the traditional colonial red tiles. The tower was demolished nine years later in 1889 to create space for the

In 1940, the architect Mario Buschiazzo reconstructed the colonial features of the Cabildo using various original documents. The tower, the red tiles, the iron bars on the windows and the wooden windows and doors were all repaired.

National Museum of the Cabildo

Currently, the Cabildo hosts the National Museum of the Cabildo and the May Revolution (Museo Nacional del Cabildo y la Revolución de Mayo), in which paintings, artifacts, clothes and jewellery of the 18th century are on dsplay. The patio of the Cabildo still has its 1835 ornamental water well.