Argentina: Capital, Flag and Fun Facts

About Argentina

Argentina is a huge country in the south of South America, stretching from warm northern forests to the icy tip of Patagonia. The Andes mountains run along its western side and the flat grasslands called the pampas cover the middle. It is known for tango, football and gauchos, the cowboys of the plains.

About Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires lies on the wide Río de la Plata estuary on the east coast. It is famous for tango, grand avenues and the colourful houses of the La Boca neighbourhood.

Fun facts about Argentina

1. Aconcagua, at about 6,961 metres, is the highest mountain in the Americas.
2. Iguazú Falls, on the border with Brazil, forms a horseshoe of waterfalls almost three kilometres wide.
3. Ischigualasto Park holds one of the world's most complete fossil records from the time when dinosaurs first appeared.
4. In the Cave of the Hands, people stencilled outlines of their hands on rock walls thousands of years ago.
5. Southern right whales, elephant seals and sea lions gather to raise their young at Península Valdés.
6. The tango, a dance and music style, was born in the port neighbourhoods around the Río de la Plata.