Category:Has custom banner Argentina has 35 national parks protecting an area of 37,000 square kilometers (about 1.5% of the country's total national territory). The parks include some of Argentina's most spectacular natural wonders, including the amazingly complex waterfall system at Iguazu National Park (one of nature's most awe inspiring sights) and the Tierra del Fuego National Park with its landscape of glaciers and rocky islands on the tip of South America.

The parks provide habitat for myriad diverse species of plant and animal alike. The majestic Andean condor can be seen soaring above several of Argentina's parks that lie along the Andes mountain range. Penguins are often spotted in Tierra del Fuego, though birdwatchers are more likely to spot some of the more than 300 species of birds that have been seen in the country's many parks.

Understand

Parks are administered for the federal government by the Administración de Parques Nacionales (National Parks Administration), which has its headquarters in Buenos Aires. In addition to national parks, protected areas can be designated as Natural Monuments or as National Reserves.

Argentina also has two off-shore marine areas in the South Atlantic that are designated as National Marine Parks (Areas Protegidas Marina): Yaganes Marine National Park, and Namuncurá-Burdwood Bank II Marine National Park. In addition to protecting fisheries and providing recreational resources for scuba divers, the marine parks provide protected habitat for sea lions and penguins.

Parks

Map of Argentina national parks

See also

• Central and South American wildlife
• Chilean national parks
• National parks Category:National parks Category:Topics in ArgentinaCategory:Topic articles