Page 163 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Argentina

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ArgentiniAn

LitOrAL

Argentina’s subtropical northeast Litoral has a landscape
dominated by the mighty Ríos Paraná and Uruguay. This region
is formed by the provinces of Misiones, Corrientes, Entre Ríos,
Formosa, Chaco, and Santa Fe. The area receives a high level of
rainfall, which gives rise to lush forests rich in wildlife and flora,
huge embalsados (floating islands), and acres of wetlands.

The region’s original inhabitants were the farming and fores try, although tourism,
Guaraní, who, by the 16th cen tury, were dri ven by natural wonders such as the
living mainly in small agri cultural commu­ Iguazú Falls and Esteros del Iberá, is also
nities. Jesuit missiona ries arrived in the an impor tant source of income.
1550s, aiming to evan ge lize the Guaraní The region is a nature lover’s paradise,
and pro tect them from Spanish colo nial with miles of yatay palm forests, wooded
exploi tation by building the first of many marshes, and subtrop ical jungles. Many
missions in 1609. In the 19th cen tury, the national parks serve to protect the area’s
Litoral served as the battle ground for the abun dant flora and fauna and offer visi tors
post­Independence civil war between an oppor tunity for various out door
Unitarios and Federales. activities ranging from boating and
By the 20th cen tury, ranching and grain wildlife­watching to camping and
agricul ture were bringing in new income, trekking. In contrast to the verdant
but at the cost of the envi ron ment, wilderness are the bustling urban centers
prompting the crea tion of several national with their well­preserved colonial
parks to counter deforestation. Today, the buildings and busy calendar of lively folk
Litoral’s eco nomy remains dependent on music festivals and carnival celebrations.

Marsh deer, a common sight in the breathtaking natural preserve Esteros del Iberá
Ruins of the Jesuit mission at San Ignacio Miní, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

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