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Land of Contrasts

In northern Argentina, the Gran Chaco is a region Argentina shares with Bolivia, Paraguay, and Brazil. Mainly a flat alluvial plain with a subtropical climate, the Gran Chaco stays flooded at certain times of the year. Marshlands remain for long periods because of poor drainage. Livestock, cotton, and wood from the quebracho tree are the region’s main products. South of the Gran Chaco is the Pampas, a vast, monotonous natural grassland 400 miles (644 km) wide from the Atlantic Ocean to the Andean foothills. The deep, rich soil of the Pampas, which is composed largely of a fine sand, clay, and silt almost wholly free of pebbles and rocks, is ideal for growing grain and provides most of the wealth of the country. From this region come most of Argentina’s agricultural exports: wheat, alfalfa, corn, and flax. The Pampas is also home to cattle and sheep ranching. Dairy farms

A herd of goats and cows grazes near the village of Purmamarca, in the dry, rugged Monte region.