Argentinian Territories: The Vertigo of the Plains

The history and tradition of the most agricultural and livestock-rich region of Argentina.

Un alto en el campo (1861) by Prilidiano PUEYRREDONGustar

The Argentinian Pampas

Jorge Luis Borges, one of the great Argentinian writers, said that the Pampas created a sensation of horizontal vertigo due to their huge expanse. He was not wrong: this important region stretches up to 750,000 miles (1.2 million km).

Tambo (2021-03-08/2021-03-09) by Juan Pablo LanciottiGustar

The Pampas region is one of the most important ecosystems in the country. Its natural pastures have been the base for the development of Argentinian livestock activity, with countless farms and huge ranches dedicated to production.

Productores, Trenque Lauquen: trigoGustar

Argentinian Producers: Wheat

Provincia de Buenos Aires, tradición agrícola y ganaderaGustar

Charming Villages

Through farming and livestock, hundreds of villages flourished from the mid 19th century. Many of these have now turned into cities. Marked by the presence of breathtaking scenery and traditional architecture, they preserve their traditions and customs of yore.

Provincia de Buenos Aires, tradición agrícola y ganaderaGustar

Horse culture

Polo and equestrian activities are important in the Argentinian Pampas. This region was home to the gauchos, symbolic figures of the local culture who left their mark: knives, horse dressage, maté, guitar, and rural life.

Provincia de Buenos Aires, tradición agrícola y ganaderaGustar

The influence of the gaucho and the farming identity are also appreciated in gastronomy, with asados being the biggest stars. Grilled meat goes hand in hand with countless native traditions and a range of recipes that surged thanks to the influences of immigrants.

Restaurante de campo (2021-02-24/2021-02-24) by Juan Pablo LanciottiGustar

Ruiz (2021-02-05/2021-02-05) by Juan Pablo LanciottiGustar

Fertile Land and Clean Air

The Pampas region has some of the most fertile plains in the world. The quality of its soil and the purity of its air make it an excellent area for agriculture and livestock. It is dominated by wheat, maize, sunflower, and soya cultivation, among others, as well as sheep and cow livestock activity.

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The large railroad saw its golden age during the 19th and 20th centuries, but in the last years the trucks and ports replaced the train in the transportation of agricultural products and ranchers. The roads and old stations survive as postcards of another time.

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Native people of the plains

The Spaniards that colonized America in the 16th century named the native communities of this region of argentina as "pampas", nomadic people with distinct languages and custums. One of them were the "ranqueles", also nomads and hunters.

Provincia de Buenos Aires, tradición agrícola y ganaderaGustar

The wind and waterflow give the Argetinian pampas a great quantity of wetlands and lakes, permanent or temporary, which the locals enjoy. Around the province one can also find a variety of rivers.

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Architectural dreams

The well known Italian architect and engineer Francisco Salamone left his particular mark in the villages of the province of Buenos Aires between the years of 1936 and 1940. One of his most popular and visited artworks is the cemitary that he drew in the Suldungaray.

Córdoba picada Colonia Caroya Mio NoninoGustar

Snacks are a key culinary delight in the Pampas plains. They are made with products typical of the region, like cheeses and preserves, and also cold cuts and sausages. The city of Tandil is considered a paradise for sausage lovers …

Restaurante de campo (2021-02-24/2021-02-24) by Juan Pablo LanciottiGustar

Productores, Tandil: chacinadosGustar

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Dressage and Folklore

In Córdoba, the city of Jesús María is home to the prestigious Festival Nacional de Doma y Folklore (National Festival of Dressage and Folklore), which marries equine tradition with traditional music. Many visitors come to see how the jockeys perform gaucho skills on horseback and to listen to famous artists.

Provincia de Buenos Aires, tradición agrícola y ganaderaGustar

Sungazing

The semi-arid Pampas region is the location of major sunflower production, primarily in fields in the provinces of Buenos Aires and Entre Ríos. They were introduced to the country by Jewish settlers at the end of the 19th century. Soya, wheat, and maize also dominate the plains. 

Credits: Story

Editor: Diego Marinelli / Text: Ayelén Iñigo / Videos: CONTAR, plataforma pública de contenidos audiovisuales, Secretaría de Medios y Comunicación Pública de la Nación. www.cont.ar /  Images:  Subsecretaría de Turismo de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Ministerio de Producción, Ciencia e Innovación Tecnológica

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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