Description

Argentina is a vast country, the second largest in South America after Brazil. Much of the landscape is on a vast scale, ranging from desert canyons, sub-tropical rainforest to Patagonia, which comprises the southern section of the Andes with its ice-fields and the deserts, steppes and grasslands to the east of the mountain range. The tumultuous waterfalls in the northeast rainforest are probably the most awe-inspiring and dramatic falls in the world. For most of its course the Iguazu river flows through Brazil, but at the site of the falls, it borders both countries, with most of the falls on the Argentine side.

By contrast, Los Glaciares National Park, the largest in the country, is another major spectacular, amazing attraction. The Park’s name refers to the giant ice-cap in the Andes, that feeds 47 glaciers. The Upsala Glacier and Perito Moreno Glacier are just two of the magnificent glaciers. The ice-field is the world’s third largest reserve of fresh water after Antarctica and Greenland. Further north in the north-west tip of Argentine Patagonia, surrounded by luxuriant forests, jagged peaks and extinct volcanoes, lies Argentina’s Lake District. This is a land of picture postcard glacial lakes.

Esquel is a small town in the north-west of the Province of Chabut in the Argentine Patagonia. Apart from hiking or skiing in the surrounding hills and mountains, the other major attraction is the narrow gauge railway. This is known locally as La Trochita and was made famous as the Old Patagonian express after the book by Paul Theroux. Although not an express train, the steam locomotive is certainly a delight to travel in, as it chugs its way through the Patagonian landscape.

Argentina has so much to offer the visitor or traveller. This travel documentary covers a small selection of the country’s destinations, illustrating some of the most spectacular scenery. All of the major attractions, shown, have a common theme of ‘water’. Iguazu comes from the Gurani and means ‘Big Water’. Certainly the Iguazu river fast flows over the Parana Plateau as it descends to the depths and lower river below. The Andean glaciers move much more slowly and hold ice that is at best balanced, but generally in retreat. The glacial lakes are fed by the Andean rivers, whilst La Trochita requires one hundred litres of water for every kilometre travelled.

Running time is approximately 25 minutes.

Tags: Iguazu river, Los Glaciares National Park, glacier, Argentine Patagonia, Esquel, La Trochita, Old Patagonian express