This is the region of the great rivers, of the humid tropics, of the red earth and the magnificent jungle. A virgin jungle full of gigantic trees, and extraordinary flora and fauna. Great Waters, in the Guaraní language Iguazú, which overflow with a roar in one of the wonders of the world, the Falls of Iguazú.

It is an area of exuberant beauty which extends through the Iguazú National Park, the Falls of Moconá, the Río Pilcomayo National Park, El Palmar National Park, the Iberá Marshlands or the Chaqueñas Plains.

The presence of man remains amongst all this glorious Nature in the ruins of the Jesuit missions which have been declared The Natural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

The natural areas have many to explore. While you are walking you can take a refreshing dip in the numerous pools and cataracts which are dotted about the area. Rafting can be done on most of the rivers and one can quietly row on the Pilcomayo and in the Iberá Marshlands. Nearby you can stay in haciendas (ranches) such as those of San Gará, Atalaya and San Juan Poriahú from where you can make excursions on foot, by canoe or on horseback.

Along the rivers Paraná and Uruguay are fishing grounds with the appropriate infrastructure (Esquina, Goya, Empedrado, Paso de la Patria, Cerrito Island, Ituzaingó, Montecarlo, Eldorado) where you can catch large fish such as the dorado - an aggressive fish -, the manguruyú and the surubí. The ideal fishing season is from March to September. On the 15th of July the National Dorado Fishing Contest is held in Formosa and in August, the National Fair for this same fish is in Paso de la Patria.

The carnivals are very colourful in Corrientes, Esquina, Paso de los Libres, Victoria, Gualeguay and Gualeguaychú. The Immigrant's Festival in Oberá and The Orchid Festival in Montecarlo are equally attractive. Walking on a bed of coals is a typical custom on the eve of the Feast of San Juan which is held in Formosa and some of the villages of Chaco, Corrientes and Misiones. The chamamé is a dance derived from the polka, mixed with melodic and rhythmic elements from the Guaraní tribes.

The traveller can gaze over fields of citrus fruit, cotton and mate, take thermal baths in Presidencia Roque Sáenz Peña, gamble a few pesos in the casinos of Corrientes, Posadas, Paraná, Gualeguaychú, Colón and Puerto Iguazú or simply admire the Falls of Iguazú by the light of the full moon. A spectacle unique in this world.

The country of the mate. Argentina is a leading country in the consumption of mate, an infusion made with this herb, which is grown in Corrientes and Misiones. Once dry and processed, the leaves are put into a gourd - called mate but can also be of other materials - and hot water is poured over it. The infusion is sipped through a tube - bombilla - which generally has a silver mouthpiece. In Misiones and the north of Corrientes it is taken cold with aromatic herbs and it is then known as "tereré". When the infusion is drunk in a group it is called "mate corrido" or "rueda de mate". Prepared mate in individual bags also exists. Don´t leave without trying it.

Carne asada (roast meat). This is usually ox and is served in the Brazilian style as "churrasco al espadín" (chop on a sword). Fish. Dorado, surubí, pacú, sábalo, patí, bagre, etc. are grilled, baked or covered with breadcrumbs, etc. and then cooked. Cuisine with Paraguayan influence.

In Misiones and Formosa one can find the "locro norteño" with meat, maize, pumpkin and cassava. The "mbeyú" or fried cake with Guaraní tapioca taken with milk, salt and cheese, the "chipá", a cake with the same ingredients and egg and the "Paraguayan soup" which despite its name is a bread of white maize flour, cheese, onion and spices. The Paraguayan rum and the cachaça of Brazilian origin are much appreciated.

Estancias (Ranches). There are farming and livestock ranches close to the Iberá Marshlands and the Chaqueñas Plains where you can stay and take excursions on foot or horseback or take a canoe. Hotels for fishing lovers.

There are hotels at the fishing grounds on the banks of the Alto Paraná.

At the Falls. The Sheraton International Iguazú Hotel, near to the big Falls, is ideal for visiting the National Park and for watching the nocturnal spectacle of the Falls.

Native artisan work. Ceramics, masks, cloth of vegetable fibre and carvings in palo santo (Guaiacum) can be bought in the artisan market of the Paraguayo Park in Posadas and in the Toba neighbourhood and shops selling regional articles in Resistencia.

Leather work. Handbags, bags and articles of clothing.

Semi-precious Stones. Agates, quartz, amethysts and geodes from Wanda. Books. "Tales of the Jungle" by Horacio Quiroga and a dictionary of the Guaraní language.