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Plants and Animals
The indigenous vegetation of Argentina varies greatly with the different
climate and topographical regions of the country. The warm and moist northeastern
area supports tropical plants, including such trees as the palm, rosewood,
lignum vitae, jacaranda, and red quebracho (a source of tannin). Grasses
are the principal variety of indigenous vegetation in the Pampas. Trees,
excluding such imported drought-resistant varieties as the eucalyptus,
sycamore, and acacia, are practically nonexistent in this region and in
most of Patagonia. The chief types of vegetation in Patagonia are herbs,
shrubs, grasses, and brambles.
The Andean foothills of Patagonia and parts of Tierra del Fuego, however,
possess flourishing growths of conifers, notably fir, cypress, pine, and
cedar. Cacti and other thorny plants predominate in the arid Andean regions
of northwestern Argentina. In the north the fauna is most diverse and
abundant. The mammals in these regions include the monkey (several species),
jaguar, puma, ocelot, anteater, tapir, peccary, and raccoon.
Indigenous birds include the flamingo and various hummingbirds and parrots.
In the Pampas are the armadillo, fox, marten, wildcat, hare, deer, American
ostrich or rhea, hawk, falcon, heron, plover, and partridge; some of these
animals are also found in Patagonia. The cold Andean regions are the habitat
of the llama, guanaco, alpaca, and condor. Fish abound in coastal waters,
lakes, and streams.
The Cardón, or giant cactus
Before the Spanish conquest, the native people of Jujuy referred to
themselves as Omaguaca. They cultivated corn, potatoes and quinoa, using
a system of irrigation for their fields. They lived in small hamlets
next to their fields, and built forts to protect themselves from siege.
Their homes were made of stone and adobe; the roofs were made from the
wood of the giant cactus, covered with a mixture of mud and hay, a system
still used today in some areas. In each town were mounds of stones traditionally
offered to the Pachamama, or earth mother; she is still a common symbol
in the province. Throughout the region are the cardones (giant cactus).
Popular lore venerates the cactus as representing their forefathers.
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Information on these pages has been retrieved from the following sources:
www.cia.gov
www.presidencia.gov.ar
www.lonelyplanet.com
www.bcra.gov.ar
www.bibnal.edu.ar
www.literatura.org
www.mrecic.gov.ar
www.geographia.com
www.sectur.gov.ar
www.buenosairesherald.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk
http://lanic.utexas.edu
http://travel.state.gov
www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk
www.latin-focus.com
www.argentinas-hotels.com
www.worldatlas.com
www.imf.org
www.weatherhub.com
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