Page 26 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Argentina

24  INTRODUCING ARGENTINA

Landscape and Wildlife of Argentina

Despite threats to its environment, Argentina still remains
one of the richest countries in the world in its variety of
flora and fauna. It has over 1,000 species of birds, many
of which are unique to the country; 29 sprawling national
parks; and a large number of provin cial preserves that
protect a fascinating array of mammals. It owes its natural
wealth to a highly varied topography that covers a range
of climatic zones ranging from arid, harsh environments
dominated by steppe, salt pans, and soaring Andean peaks
to great swathes of grassy plains and wetlands. The peaks of Mount Fitz Roy in Parque
Nacional Los Glaciares

The Pampas Wetlands Mountains and Puna
Seasonal rainfall across the Pampas in Buenos At over 8,000 ft (2,400 m) above sea level, the
Aires and Entre Ríos leads to the for mation of puna (montane grasslands) in Argentina’s
the channels and vast lagoons of Esteros del northwestern provinces is a mixture of semi-arid
Iberá (see pp170–71). It is home to waders and and desert landscapes. On its western edge,
many other bird species. it rises to become the Andes range.
The wattled jacana, with its The Andean condor has
huge feet, seems to walk a wingspan of over 9 ft
on water. It daintily strides (3 m). It can be seen
over lily pads and is a wheeling on the
discreet wader until it thermals that form
flies and flashes its bright- in the crevasses and
yellow underwings.
lagoons of the Andes.
The dorado is king of
Río Paraná (see p167). The Royal chinchilla is a
Known for its power, rodent found in the high
it is the prize catch plains. Hunted for its fur, it is
of anglers in an endangered species.
the northeast.

Yacaré thrive in the Iberá wetlands, sharing the
banks and islands with capybaras and The cardón cactus grows
howler monkeys. in abundance across the
northwest and is pro tected
inside Parque Nacional Los
Cardones in the Valles
Calchaquies area (see p195).

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