Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SOUTHERN PAMPAS
Spreading out from the capital, the pampas region extends south beyond the borders of
Buenos Aires province and west into the province of La Pampa.
In the southern part of Buenos Aires province, the endlessly flat plain is punctuated by
sierras (hills). The Sierras de Tandil are ancient mountain ranges, worn to soft, low sum-
mits with heights that barely reach 500m. A little to the west, Sierra de la Ventana's
jagged peaks rise to 1300m, attracting hikers and climbers.
Further west again, in the province of La Pampa, are the modest granite boulders of
Parque Nacional Lihué Calel.
The hillside towns of Tandil and Sierra de la Ventana offer outdoor activities and a re-
laxing country atmosphere, while La Pampa's provincial capital of Santa Rosa is a decent
resting point for overland travelers on their way west or south.
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Tandil
0249 / POP 124,000
Pretty Tandil sits at the northern edge of the Sierras de Tandil, a 2.5-million-year-old
mountain range worn down to gentle, grassy peaks and rocky outcroppings - perfect for
rock climbing and mountain biking. It exudes a rare combination of laid-back country
charm with the energy of a thriving regional city. The town center is leafy and relaxed,
with many places observing the afternoon siesta. Later in the evening, however, locals
crowd the squares and streets, shopping and partaking in the city's cultural offerings. On
a side note, Tandil is known for nurturing a disproportionate number of Argentina's ten-
nis stars - the latest of whom is Juan Martín del Potro.
The town arose from Fuerte Independencia, a military outpost established in 1823. In
the early 1870s it was the scene of one of the province's most remarkable battles, when
renegade gauchos gathered in the hills before going on a murderous rampage against
landowners and recent immigrants. Eventually the immigrants prevailed, and the culinary
skills they brought from Europe have made the area an important producer of specialty
foods. Today Tandil is famous for its cheeses and cured meats, which can be sampled
throughout town.
Sights
