From the looks of it Argentina looks like a country full of vegetation, museums, great food and lots of wineries to make merry in addition to the stunning landscapes. A thorough treat for the eyes, while the place delves largely into art and culture, it is interestingly juxtaposed with Science and Technology to a large extent. Its most important facet on the same is seen in areas of Medicine, Nuclear Physics, Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Space and Rocket Technology which, in a way, largely contributes to the country’s economic activities.
Many firms like Blackberry, Motorola, HP, IBM, Sony, Google amongst others have set up plants in this area; a major part of the economy’s money comes from electronics, motor vehicles, auto parts and production of laptops, computers and servers. The country exports high-tech products with high Research and Development intensity, like aerospace, computers, pharmaceuticals, scientific instruments and electrical machinery.
Rich in natural resources and full of tourist spots, the place and its people sure know how to take it light and happens to be one of the top five wine producing countries in the world. Thus, Wine Tourism here is quite a hit! This place is certainly where tech meets lifestyle...
It has been seen as an ideal location for outsourcing since it has a low labour cost that is highly literate, both in terms of IT and language and work at reasonable prices. The IT boom took place during the dotcom boom of the ‘90s. During this time, it supplied around 65% of the design and implementation work for most of the regional Internet start-ups.
1. Hill of Seven Colours
Straight out of an artist’s canvas, this one is a delight for any Photographer, whether or not you’re a Pro at it. The varied colours correspond to different minerals that were formed millions of years ago due to the accumulation of sea, lake and river sediments that have been deposited in the region. The place overlooks Purmamarca in Northern Argentina located in the Humahuaca Ravine. It is the mountains offering you variety through means of different colours.
2. Galileo Galilei Planetarium
Commonly known as Planetario, it is located in the Palermo district of Buenos Aires. Constructed in the year 1962, it was inaugurated in December 1966 after more than four years and was officially opened for the public on 5th April, 1968. The building has five floors, with 360 seats and with a semispherical dome on the inside which is a covered with reflective aluminium. With over 100 projectors that are 5 metres high and weigh 2.5 tonnes, there is a cylindrical framework with independent projectors for the Moon, Sun and the visible planets like Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn and two spheres in the extreme that project 8,900 stars, constellations and nebulas. There is a piece of lunar rock here which was brought back to Earth by the Apollo XI mission and gifted to the planetarium by Richard Nixon. With a metallic meteorite from Chaco Province displayed on the entrance terrace, it also houses a collection of 100 million year old sea life and ammonite fossils from Neuquén Province.
3. Teatro Colon
The main opera house in Buenos Aires, it is considered to be amongst the five best concert venues in the world, acoustically. Visited by the foremost singers and opera companies at the time, it was restored between 2005 and 2010. Located in the heart of the city, the auditorium is horseshoe-shaped and has 2487 seats with standing room for a 1000 people. Ornate and striking, thanks to the white marble works and fine detailing, it has an unmissable presence. The place was declared as a historical monument in the year 1989, it represents the country only too well. An eclectic mix of French, Italian and German style of architectural design it is renowned for its aesthetics and acoustics. Designed in the style of the 19th Century Europe, it is a music lover’s delight. With a beautiful foyer decked with gilded pieces, marble, dramatic statues, and stained glasses picked from all around the world, you don’t want to miss this one!
4. Natural Science and Oceanographic Museum
With the aim to safeguard and spread the richness of the sea ecosystem at Puerto Madryn, this place has preserved its architectural value even after being remodelled. Holding a strong neoclassical style with carved stone steps for stairs, it is organized in several halls that provide a tour throughout the History of the City of Chubut located in South Argentina and pays special attention to the Welsh immigrants and ecological diversity in the province. Located on a privileged corner from where one can view a beautiful panoramic sight of Puerto Madryn, the building was refurbished keeping in mind a modern concept with various pieces of heritage remaining intact.
There’s a special room for visitors to tour around the room that displays fish, invertebrates, birds, sea mammals thereby giving evidence of the features of the sea littoral that outlines the East Margin of the City of Puerto Madryn. It’s not just ‘A Museum’... it is amuse-um!
5. Museo Historico Militar
Located in the town of Ciudadela, this place is dedicated to the military history of Argentina from the Spanish Viceroyalty to the present. The Historical Museum of the Army (MHE) flashes exhibit tanks, armoured personnel carriers, aircraft, light and heavy weapons and other weapons of the army. Having pavilions that are associated with the major campaigns of force, it came into being on 13th May, 1993 and was designated a site of national historic interest in 1996. On display are several aircrafts of the Army Aviation on static display or storage options. There is a separate room called ‘Malvinas Argentinas’ where there are aeronautical exhibits involved in the conflict; there is also a tail boom of a UH-1H Huey with the typical yellow band.
6. Automobile Museum (Museo Del Automovil)
If you are wheel crazy, this place is for you! From Vintage cars to powerful and faster machines these cars are sure to hold your attention. And as if the fantastic cars weren’t enough, its walls are also covered with pictures, diary sheets, records and memories... all of it pertaining to the history of the Argentine Automobile Club and racing cars in Argentina. Add to it the old poster maps, air pumps and gasoline, trophies of all sizes, helmets and a series of windows in which small car models are shown. Many of the images and texts on the walls are dedicated in honour of various Argentine runners. Its detailing is what will surprise and please fans. The place has some classic models including Daimler, Schacht, Peugeot, Darracq, Ford and others.
7. Mendoza Wine Bike Tour
For wine lovers, the small town of Maipú near Mendoza is packed with wineries, olive oil farms and other such businesses. But for the adventurous lot, there’s more. The place offers hands-on tours of 1/3/5/7 days where one witnesses a different part of the world of wine in each winery visit. In these visits, one can also blend one’s own wine, learn how to make a traditional Argentine asado barbeque and empanadas. A perfect backpacker experience, few companies in the area rent bikes and electric scooters.
8. Museo Maritimo de Ushuaia
The Presidio and Maritime Museum of Ushuaia is located in the building of former Presision Ushuaia where dangerous criminals were held for their offenses. Now, the building holds four museums – First, The Maritime Museum that recreates the History of Tierra del Fuego from the point of view of seamen through models and ship models; Second, The Prison Museum in Pavilion IV where the first notes on Tierra del Fuego Jail, the intention of a penal settlement and the construction of the current building, the lives of inmates, work, punishment, closure and the sad story of some of its main occupants can be found. Third is TheAntarctic Museum José María Sobral on the top floor of the Pavilion IV with 19 rooms with the wealth of the historical materials and biological Antarctic preserved; lastly there is TheMarine Museum of Art that attempts to give a comprehensive and balanced view of the development of marine art in Argentina.
9. Lagos de Palermo Golf Club
Lastly, if you love sports, and golf, in particular, go for this! Situated in Parque 2 de Febrero in the greenery of Palermo, this was founded in 1905 with support from two Former Presidents. Challenging than many other golf courts, many international competitions are held here. Golf equipments can be hired and there are many places around where one can unwind, besides the golf court, of course!
