Hiking with Dinosaurs in Argentina

July 30, 2024

Argentina's Talampaya and Ischigualasto Parks contain between them the most complete continental fossil record of the Triassic Period, and a record of early humanity.

Valle de la Luna. Rodoluca. CC BY-SA 3.0

In the heart of Argentina, the Ischigualasto and Talampaya Natural Parks are a gateway to a prehistoric world. Situated on the border between the provinces of San Juan and La Rioja, in Argentina's Monte ecoregion, a warm scrub desert along the Eastern Andean foothills, these contiguous parks contain a plethora of geological marvels, ancient history and stunning desert landscapes for visitors to explore.

Ischigualasto Rock Formations. Rita Willaert. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Ischigualasto and Talampaya stretch over most of the sedimentary basin of the Ischigualasto-Villa Union Triassic, a geologic basin of great scientific importance which formed during the Triassic Period, approximately 250 to 200 million years ago. The basin contains a sequence of six layers of continental fossiliferous sandstone and mudstone sediments deposited by rivers, lakes and swamps, providing the world’s most complete and undisturbed picture of the geological history of the Triassic Period.

The geological record helps us understand the evolution of vertebrate life and the nature of palaeoenvironments in the Triassic, the era that ushered in the Age of the Dinosaurs. Fossil records of at least 100 species of plants, 56 known genera and many more species of vertebrates, such as fish, amphibians, and a great variety of reptiles and direct mammalian ancestors, including the early dinosaur Eoraptor, have been found in the park.

Guanacos, Ischigualasto National Park. Rita Willaert. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Radiocarbon dating suggests that humans occupied the area approximately 2,590-950 years ago. At Ischigualasto, six rock art sites have been discovered, along with burial sites, campgrounds and tool-making areas, as well as 1500-year-old petroglyphs (images carved into rock). The petroglyphs depict, among other things, geometric human figures, animals and a radiating sun figure. Animal and human footprints have also been found in the art, mainly puma, rhea and guanaco prints.

Valle della Luna. Guslight. CC BY-NC 2.0

One of Ischigualasto's main attractions is the Valle della Luna (Valley of the Moon). The valley, located near the provincial capital of San Juan, is famous for its unique and otherworldly landscapes. The valley is composed of rugged badlands of bizarrely shaped multicolored rocks and a floor of barren gray-white volcanic clay. Two hundred and thirty million years ago, the desert was a volcanically active floodplain, crisscrossed by rivers and subjected to seasonal heavy rainfalls. Petrified tree trunks more than 130 feet tall are a record of the ancient vegetation. These days the stark desert vista has sparse vegetation, xeric shrubs, cacti, the occasional tree and several rare species of flora and fauna.

The Canon de Talampaya (Talampaya Gorge) is Talampaya’s main attraction. The red sandstone walls of the canyon and the surrounding cliffs reach up to 656 feet. The landscape has been deeply eroded by watercourses, a testament to the artistry of nature. These days the area is usually dry, but flash floods powerful enough to move large boulders have been known to strike the area.

Ischigualasto National Park. Benjamin Dumas. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Before Spain began its conquest of South America, the area that now makes up the parks was inhabited by several groups of Indigenous people who lived as semi-nomadic hunters and gatherers, including the Diaguita and Huarpes.

The Ischigualasto and Talampaya Parks are more than just sites of great natural beauty. They are a journey into the history of this planet. Their spectacular geological formations, unparalleled scientific significance and cultural heritage have rightfully earned them a place on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites.

GETTING THERE

Fellow travelers recommend reaching the parks by taking an airplane to Villa Union, the closest neighboring city. From there you can rent a car, and it is about a 40-minute drive to Talampaya. You could also stay in La Rioja, which is about a 2-hour drive from the parks. Rough camping is permitted in the buffer zone at Ischigualasto Park, which has a small visitor center with an interpretive display, four toilets and a single ranger’s residence. Small buffet food services are available at both parks. Walking trails and interpretive signs are scarce. There are full-service facilities, lodging, commerce and medical care in the nearby towns of San Agustin in San Juan Province and Patquja and Villa Union in La Rioja Province. There are agencies in La Rioja and Villa Union that offer guided tours of the park.

Rebecca Pitcairn

Rebecca studies Italian Language and Literature, Classical Civilizations, and English Writing at the University of Pittsburgh. She hopes to one day attain a PhD in Classical Archeology. She is passionate about feminism and climate justice. She enjoys reading, playing the lyre, and longboarding in her free time.

Festival de Tango: The Heartbeat of Buenos Aires

July 9, 2024

Every August, the annual Festival de Tango engulfs the streets of Argentina’s vibrant capital in mesmerizing tango dance, soulful music and rich Argentinian culture.

Performers at Festival de Tango in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. CC BY 2.0

From August 21 to September 1, 2024, the best tango dancers in the world are drawn to the Festival de Tango and the Tango World Cup in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Events during this time of tango span the entire city, offering easy access to travelers regardless of location. Festival-goers have many exciting activities at their fingertips. Beyond viewing the tango competition which features hundreds of world-renowned dancers, visitors can attend film screenings, theater, book readings, tours and more.

As the birthplace of tango, Argentina is the best place to celebrate. Tango first appeared in bars and dance halls during the 19th century in immigrant communities throughout the Rio de la Plata region that stretches between Uruguay and Argentina. Tango began to globalize during the 1930s and has since become a worldwide phenomenon, with the United Nations recognizing the tango dance as intangible cultural heritage in 2009.

Tango is a big part of Buenos Aires’ identity. The Festival de Tango began in 2003 as an initiative to increase tourism and cultural appreciation. Throughout the city, there are dozens of dance productions and live music performances. Participants can take it to the next level by becoming Tango dancers themselves at one of the many local Tango classes. Other staple events in Buenos Aires are Tango dance parties called milongas. Classes are often offered before milongas and can also be found at the many world-famous tango schools throughout Buenos Aires.

For those who prefer listening over dancing, venues such as the Usina de Arte and CCK often host free concerts. To delve even further into tango history and culture, visitors can take a trip to the tango neighborhood called Boedo, which was immortalized in the tango song Sur by Homero Manzi. Many of the Festival de Tango events are free. However, because hundreds of thousands of people often attend Festival de Tango events, it is recommended to reserve space ahead of time or arrive early before activities hit capacity.

Here are a few Festival de Tango activities to check out:

Participate in immersive tango packages offered by Argentina Tango: $1,659 to $7,245

Attend the Tango World Cup at the Usina del Arte: FREE

Watch tango performances over dinner at the Galeria Guemes Theater: $80

Go out for a tango night with locals with Immersion Tours: $65

Attend private dance classes at several locations throughout Buenos Aires: $35

Madison Paulus

Madison is a student at George Washington University studying international affairs, journalism, mass communication, and Arabic. Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Madison grew up in a creative, open-minded environment. With passions for human rights and social justice, Madison uses her writing skills to educate and advocate. In the future, Madison hopes to pursue a career in science communication or travel journalism.

Argentina Times Two: Country Declares Rule over Antarctica—and the Falklands

November 5, 2020

The nation claims disputed territories in Antarctica. Will anyone notice?

A disputed no man’s land. Trey Ratcliff. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

Argentina recently doubled in size, according to Argentina. President Alberto Fernandez signed into law a 650,000-square-mile expansion of Argentinian territory from its southernmost tip to the South Pole, including maritime territory in between. Though the law was signed in August, its effects are just beginning to be felt. Next school year, Argentinian children will receive textbooks proclaiming their country to be twice the size it was when their parents went to school.

The law’s legal reasoning is rooted in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides President Fernandez a somewhat adequate basis for such an expansion. Argentina’s geographical shelf extends far into the sea, and the water is shallow enough to extend the country’s claim beyond the standard limit of 200 nautical miles from the nation’s coast. Though the move is grounded in international law, it has the potential to produce some controversy.

Most strikingly, the law asserts what President Fernandez calls “Argentina’s claim to the Malvinas,” also known as the Falkland Islands. Fighting erupted between Britain and Argentina in 1982 when Argentina attempted to seize control of the Falklands, only to be rebuffed by Britain’s navy. While Britain still maintains control, most Argentinians support President Fernandez’s insistence that they have a rightful claim to the islands.

Life on the ice. Christopher.Michel. CC BY 2.0.

For the time being, however, the conflict over the Falklands is as frozen as Antarctica itself. Other territorial spats are unlikely to occur. Since explorers began mapping the continent, numerous nations have claimed it as their own. International negotiations over land claims in Antarctica culminated in the Antarctic Treaty System in 1961. It provided freedom of scientific research for all nations and banned military activity, mineral mining and nuclear waste disposal.

Argentina’s new waters offer much more than the snowy lands of Antarctica. Commercial fishing is lucrative just off the British-controlled island of South Georgia. There, fishermen enjoy prime access to abundant schools of Patagonian toothfish, icefish and Antarctic krill. While the COVID-19 pandemic has stopped most tourism, Antarctica contains myriad natural wonders for tourists strong-willed enough to endure the frigid temperatures.

For now, disputed waters in Antarctica are unlikely to ignite any conflicts. The regions are sparsely populated and for the most part strategically unimportant. Even the Falkland Islands, the flashpoint of the war with Britain, has only 2,500 residents.

Scientific research at the end of the world. NASA Goddard Photo and Video. CC BY 2.0.

In fact, the brave few Argentinians who currently live in Antarctica enjoy a unique perk: safety from the coronavirus. The 400 people from the country in Antarctica reside on the only continent without a single case of COVID-19. These scientists and soldiers conduct scientific research but with far less staff than in prior years. To prevent the spread of the virus, Argentina opted to send only 400 researchers rather than the usual 2,000. Every person sent will take a test and quarantine before traveling to Argentina’s facilities, and since they won’t have many medical resources, people will be evacuated at the first sign of infection. Argentinian researchers can rest assured, though, that their president believes they tread not on a foreign continent but on their own home turf.