The administrative division of Argentina is quite complex. In the federal republic there are twenty-three provinces and a federal district to which the capital Buenos Aires belongs. We won't go into detail about all of these areas. But we have selected for you the names of the regions of Argentina that are of primary interest to tourists.
By the way, you may come across another division of the country. It has only six or seven names.
Pampas are Cordoba, Santa Fe, La Pampa, and Buenos Aires.
Cuyo is San Juan, Mendoza, San Luis.
Argentine Northwest, which includes Jujuy, Salta, Tucumán, Catamarca, La Rioja.
Interfluvial (or Litoral) is Misiones, Entre Rion, Corrientes.
Gran Chaco is Formosa, Chaco, Santiago del Estero.
Patagonia is Rio Negro, Neuquén, Chubut, Santa Cruz, Tierra del Fuego.
Let's focus a bit more on some of them.
Central Regions of Argentina
The Pampas, where you'll find famous Cordoba and where part of the province of Buenos Aires lies. There are mountains and valleys, lakes and lagoons, plains, forests, and beaches. Trekking, mountain biking, and off-roading, horseback riding, walking, and swimming in the lakes are becoming a mainstay of local tourism.
In La Pampa, not far from the Argentine capital, you'll find the scenic Sierra de Ventana mountain range and the Lihue-Calel and Louro national reserves. Gaucho traditions and folklore have evolved from these places.
Cuyo, the western region that includes the provinces of Mendoza, San Juan, La Rioja, and San Luis. It is home to the highest mountain in the Americas, Aconcagua (6959 meters). And it's also home to the vineyards and, by extension, the wine producers of Argentina and all of South America.
Northern regions of Argentina
Northwest with the upper reaches of the Andes, which have unfolded their spurs. The vast La Puna plateaus, with their desert landscapes and lunar landscapes, are accessible to those who take a ride on the world's highest-altitude railroad.
Littoral, northeastern region will introduce you to El Palmar National Park, which preserves Jatay palms that are more than 800 years old. And the province of Misiones is home to the world-famous San Ignacio excavations and Iguazu Falls.
Gran Chaco, mentioned above, is not much for tourists; there are few attractions here. It's either too hot or too humid, and it's snakes and insects.
The southern regions of Argentina are Patagonia. Visit the town of El Calafate and Lake Lago Argentino with the magnificent blue Perito glacier. The towns of Trelew and Gaiman, Rio Gallegos, Puerto Madryn, and Fitzroy National Park (part of Los Glacieres Park) await.
You can read more about the various cities in Argentina's regions in our sections on country tours and the many attractions. The beaches of Argentina are located along the coast of the South Atlantic Ocean, so all that's left to do is pick a favorite. Unfortunately, there's not much choice, as the ocean in these parts is chilly.
