Argentina - Argentina, a land of wonders

It covers an area extending over almost 3 million km2 and travellers deciding to tour around them will be faced with an enormous cultural and geographical diversity along the way.  (Secretaría de Turismo)

After the successful call to select the new 7 Wonders of the World, the New7Wonders Foundation launched another original online voting campaign to choose the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Until December 31st, the votation to confirm the candidates of each country was opened. For Argentina, the Iguazú Falls, Fitz Roy Mountain, Perito Moreno Glacier, and the Tierra del Fuego archipelago have qualified to be in the second phase, among more than 200 nominates.

The new call to vote for the 77 finalists is open until July 7th . Registering in the Foundation´s website is the only necessary step to choose one of the 200 impressive natural sites.

After the second round of votes, an expert panel will make a list with the 21 finalists out of the 77 voted by users. Then, out of that third selection, voters from all over the world will be able to choose the definitive 7 wonders.

According to the New7Wonders Foundation, the nominee selection criterion is based on a wide concept that includes breathtaking traditional landscapes as well as still relatively unknown nature sites. From waterfalls to fiords, from rainforests to mountain peaks, from fresh water lakes to salted plains, the goal is to discover the planet’s incredible beauty and diversity.

The Foundation
It was established in 2001 by Swiss Canadian author, filmmaker and adventurer Bernard Weber in order to contribute to the protection of human and nature’s heritage all over the world, and to promote respect for the planet’s cultural diversity. Its headquarters is located in the Heidi-Weber Museum in Zurich, Switzerland.

Under the motto “Our legacy is our future”, it works towards the documentation and preservation of monuments worldwide. For that purpose, it calls to all citizens of the world to support its task, and by the means of films, internet, television and books it seeks to raise consciousness on the beauty of natural and cultural heritage and the importance of its care and keeping.

In July 2007, after an extended voting campaign with more than 100 million votes, the new 7 Wonders of the World were announced: Chichen Itza in México, the Christ Redeemer in Brazil, the Coliseum in Italy, the Taj Mahal in India, the Great Wall of China, Petra in Jordan, and Machu Pichu in Peru.

This second campaign promises to go further than the one before in terms of participation. With just a few months online, already more than half a million people have taken part in it. So far, Argentina’s best positioned site in the voting are the Iguazú Falls, in the first places.

Argentina´s nominees

Iguazú Falls

Located in Misiones, on the Brazilian border in the middle of a lush subtropical jungle, this huge waterfall (“Iguazú” is guaraní for “big water”) is made of 275 drops that go as high as 70 mts. The famous Devil’s Throat allows one to get as close as 50 mts to the striking waterfall. It is a great opportunity for water adventures and gathers a large diversity of animals and vegetation.

Fitz Roy Mountain

It is located on the El Chaltén region, on the border with Chile inside the Los Glaciares National Park. The Fitz Roy is one of the world’s hardest mountains to climb. Its peak, usually covered by clouds, is a challenge for climbers and tourists from all over the world. It is also one of the most distinctive landmarks of charming Patagonia.

Perito Moreno Glaciar

For some time now it has been the eighth wonder of the world for many people. It is one of the many glaciers that form the Los Glaciares (The Glaciers) National Park. A hale of infinite peacefulness that lies over pristine nature makes it very attractive for those seeking to enjoy fresh air and the sound of silence. A sound interrupted only by the glacier’s movement, a world-class tourist spectacl

The Tierra del Fuego archipelago

The world´s most southern National Park is located in the archipelago with the same name. Its 630 sq km include part of the Roca and Fagnano lakes. The Park offers a dazzling landscape, with waterfalls, forests, mountains and glaciers.

Francis Ford Coppola goes for the Iguassú Falls

The director, best known perhaps for the Godfather series of movies, has been moved by the majesty of Iguassu Falls since he first saw them in 2003. He commented that “One of the most spectacular landscapes I've seen and one of the most incredible places I've visited are the Iguassu Falls” He noted that Iguassu Falls are like "ten Niagara Falls together.”

Blog Argentina by Specialists

Vertigo at the Iguazú Falls

Julian Varsavsky, a tourism journalist, tells us about his first trip to the Iguazú Falls, which are almost likely to be regarded as one of the Natural Wonders. Their landscape embodies a breathtaking experience always lived by every new visitor coming to this region.