Located about 430 miles northwest of Buenos Aires, Córdoba is the second largest city in Argentina. It has a population of over 1,300,000 people. It was founded in 1573 and named after Córdoba, Spain. In 1613, the National University of Córdoba was founded, making it the oldest institute of higher education in Argentina.

Today, Córdoba is a diverse city with a healthy economy. It is considered the technological hub of Argentina. Intel and Motorola are among the technology companies that maintain a presence in the city. In addition, Córdoba is one of South America's centers for automobile and automobile parts production. Córdoba's La Mundial claims to be the world's most narrow building.

Buenos Aires is the largest city and capital of Argentina . Located on the banks of the Rio de la Plata, it remains a major South American port, despite the fact it lies 150 miles west of the Atlantic Ocean. The area was first colonized by the Spanish in 1536, and settled around 1580. In 1853, Buenos Aires seceded from Argentina because of a dispute over the nation’s constitution and national political control. Buenos Aires reunited with Argentina in 1862, after it was declared the Argentine capital. Today, it is a diverse city with large populations of Spanish, French, Italian, Eastern European peoples. It is the commercial, financial and cultural center of Argentina. It is also a major food-processing center, with huge meatpacking and refrigeration plants and flour mills.

Buenos Aires is a major cultural center, home to many landmarks and attractions including the National Library; the Teatro Colon, one of the world’s most famous opera houses; and the Museum of Latin American Art (Malba).

Shared by both Chile and Argentina, Patagonia is a scenic region that is bordered by the Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern Oceans. It extends through much of southern Argentina. The area was named by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who used the word patagón to describe its native people. These people were said to be much taller than typical Europeans, and Magellan and his crew believed them to be giants. The sparsely populated region is known for its spectacular landscapes and pristine ecosystems. It features vast plains, mountain vistas, petrified forests, lakes, volcanoes, and glaciers.

The Falkland Island are located about 300 miles off the east coast of the Patagonia region of Argentina. These islands are actually part of the British Empire, although Argentina claims them as its own. Most of the 3,400 people who inhabit the islands are of British descent and speak English. In 1982, however, Argentina invaded the Falklands and two other islands and attempted to assert control over the region. In what came to be known as the Falklands War, over 900 military personnel and three Falkland Islanders were killed before Argentina surrendered. In all, the "war" lasted 74 days.

Tierra del Fuego describes the archipelago at the southern tip of South America. Its name means "land of fire" in Spanish. It was named by members of Ferdinand Magellan's expedition in 1520 for the many bonfires built by the native people of the region. The area is characterized by a subpolar climate and features jagged mountains and ancient glaciers. Only six species of trees grow in Patagonia, and many of those are twisted into interesting forms by the fierce winds. Despite its unforgiving climate, ecotourism is becoming increasingly popular in Patagonia. The region also serves as a staging ground for Antarctic voyages. Gas and oil extraction and sheep farming are also important. Interestingly, the North American beaver is considered an invasive species in Tierra del Fuego and has done significant damage to the region's fragile forests.

The Strait of Magellan is a water passage through the Tierra del Fuego region of Chile and Argentina that leads from the Atlantic to Pacific Ocean. Before the construction of the Panama Canal, the Strait of Magellan was the only way ships could navigate between the two oceans.

On November 1, 1520, Ferdinand Magellan and his expedition successfully navigated through the treacherous, stormy, and windy strait. Upon his exit from the strait, Magellan is said to have named the ocean he saw "Mar Pacifico," or, the Pacific Ocean, because it seemed so calm compared to the Straits. At first , the strait was called the Strait of All Saints, but it was eventually renamed to honor Magellan, who was killed the following year in Asia.

Fast Facts About Argentina

Nine Interesting Facts About Argentina

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