Two gauchos from the province of Córdoba try to catch a foal. They have retained some traditional garments of their status. Despite the rapid development of the country, they are and remain the living symbol of Argentina. The gaucho spends most of his existence on the horse, which is his most loyal friend. Rough, brave and strong, the man of the pampas loves freedom above all else. - 1973

The Iguassu Falls are located on the Argentine-Brazilian border, in the midst of a tropical nature with lush vegetation. The imposing Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Gorge) is one of the most beautiful points of these waterfalls. The water roars seventy metres below. - 1973

Gaucho Arnaldo in the evening light at Estancia Mimosa. (Entre Ríos Province). - 1973

Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina. With a population of around 15 million, it is the largest city in South America. It stretches across the entire back part of the Río de La Plata estuary and is made up of a number of neighbourhoods, each with its own special face. In the peripheral zones, there are gardens full of colourful flowers. In the heart of the capital, large parks are somewhat reminiscent of those of London, which may have been their models. In these magnificent parks, many citizens spend their Sundays and holidays. The centre, where the skyscrapers stand, is teeming with life. This is the seat of trading houses, banks, hotels, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, nightclubs and cabarets. You can also see magnificent avenues in this district. The "Avenida 9 de Julio" is considered by Argentines to be the widest in the world. - 1973

Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina. With a population of around twelve million, it is the largest city in South America. It stretches across the entire back part of the Río de La Plata estuary and is made up of a number of neighbourhoods, each with its own special face. In the peripheral zones, there are gardens full of colourful flowers. In the heart of the capital, large parks are somewhat reminiscent of those of London, which may have been their models. In these magnificent parks, many citizens spend their Sundays and holidays. The centre, where the skyscrapers stand, is teeming with life. This is the seat of trading houses, banks, hotels, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, nightclubs and cabarets. You can also see magnificent avenues in this district. The "Avenida 9 de Julio" is considered by Argentines to be the widest in the world. - View of Buenos Aires from the Olivetti Tower. - 1973

The Calle Florida is an elegant shopping street in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires. Sections of it have been a pedestrian zone since 1913. - 1973

The Plaza de Mayo represents the heart of the Argentine capital Buenos Aires. This place is the former founding area of the city and, like almost all South American plazas, serves representative purposes. It is located near the old port in the Monserrat district. - 1973

The Avenida de Mayo is a large avenue in the Montserrat district of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Planned as a majestic boulevard based on the Parisian model and opened on July 9, 1894 after heated arguments, the Avenida de Mayo is now a symbol of Argentine-Spanish relations and reflects the social problems of Buenos Aires. The avenue, lined mainly with maple-leaved plane trees, connects the historic Plaza de Mayo with the Plaza del Congreso (picture) and halfway crosses the 16-lane main artery Avenida 9 de Julio. - 1973

The Casa Rosada is the palace of the President of Argentina. It is located in the capital Buenos Aires on the east side of the Plaza de Mayo in the Montserrat district. - 1973

This old covered wagon moves through the streets of the La Boca district in the east of Buenos Aires. - 1973

Near the large port of the Argentine capital is the famous neighbourhood of «La Boca», where, according to popular myth, the tango is said to have originated - which is not entirely true. From the middle of the 19th century onwards, thousands of immigrants came to the country. They settled more or less everywhere, but showed a certain preference for the Buenos Aires area. There were many Italians among them. They liked it particularly well in «La Boca». This district consists of small, nested houses made of corrugated iron, painted in vivid colours, which make up all its charm. The inhabitants, called porteños, earn their living from a wide variety of activities in the capital's huge port. «La Boca» is a centre of attraction for tourists in search of the exotic. - 1973

Near the large port of the Argentine capital is the famous neighbourhood of «La Boca», where, according to popular myth, the tango is said to have originated - which is not entirely true. From the middle of the 19th century onwards, thousands of immigrants came to the country. They settled more or less everywhere, but showed a certain preference for the Buenos Aires area. There were many Italians among them. They liked it particularly well in «La Boca». This district consists of small, nested houses made of corrugated iron, painted in vivid colours, which make up all its charm. The inhabitants, called porteños, earn their living from a wide variety of activities in the capital's huge port. «La Boca» is a centre of attraction for tourists in search of the exotic. - Calle Suarez 179 - 1973

In the streets of the Olivos district in the metropolitan area of Greater Buenos Aires, this basket maker peddles his horse and cart. - 1973

According to tradition, the tango, the Argentine national dance, was born in the 19th century in San Telmo, a district of the state capital. It was first adopted by young people of rather free morals, then by the sons of “good families”. The singer Carlos Gardel contributed to the spread of tango throughout the world. This artist is still present in all memories. The Argentines have a real cult for him. - 1973

Night falls on the capital of Argentina. The nightlife is about to begin. Restaurants, cabarets, nightclubs, concert halls, cinemas and theatres by the hundreds invite city dwellers to leave their homes and enjoy themselves. Thousands of people crowd the pavements, while the traffic on the streets is becoming more and more intense. In the famous Avenida Corrientes, one of the most beautiful streets in Buenos Aires, neon lights are lit and shop windows are illuminated. The air becomes fresher and the great capital finally deserves the name given to it by Pedro de Mendoza in the 16th century. - 1973

Argentina's climate varies greatly from season to season. During the southern summer, the temperature sometimes becomes stifling, easily exceeding 30 degrees in the shade. This heat is all the more trying because it is accompanied by very high humidity. The inhabitants of the capital suffer more than those in the countryside from this situation. The result is a mass exodus to the beaches, especially to Mar del Plata, Argentina's famous seaside resort. It is located on the Atlantic coast, some 400 kilometres south of Buenos Aires. Thousands of tourists and holidaymakers frequent Mar del Plata, especially during the months of January to March, when the summer holidays take place. In addition to the pleasures of bathing, water sports and fishing, the city offers its occasional residents everything that an urban centre has to offer in terms of entertainment. Tourists stay in luxurious hotels, can rent houses or flats, thus escaping the heat of the capital and the main cities in the centre of their country. - 1973

Argentina, the country of bovines, however, has a wildlife that is well represented and varies from one region to another. In this area, the Atlantic coastline occupies a privileged place. It is true that it stretches, from north to south, over hundreds of kilometres. Mammals and birds abound on the coasts. In Cabo dos Bahías (province of Chubut) there is a huge colony of penguins. These animals are protected. They live their lives in peace and quiet and are a fascinating subject of study for the naturalist. They are not very shy and are easy to approach. - 1973

There are many species of wildlife along the coast of Argentina. In addition to penguins, there are also the lobos (sea wolves), which are scattered along the coast. These lobos, like other animals along the coast, form colonies that are surprisingly large in number. One of these groups has taken up residence in La Lobería, in the province of Río Negro. - 1973

Among the wild species of the Argentinean coast are the elephant seals, which, like the others, live in huge colonies. At the northern end of the Valdés peninsula (Chubut province), one of these colonies can be seen and is a real tourist attraction. These enormous mammals laze lazily on the beach floor. Despite their somewhat fearsome appearance, elephant seals - especially the females and young - are harmless. Only if you try to cut off their retreat to the sea do they become aggressive. - 1973

Argentina's soil holds real treasures, but has not yet been fully explored. Oil, however, has been extracted for years, in considerable quantities in the area of Comodoro Rivadavia province of Chubut on the southern coastal strip. If you follow the road from Buenos Aires to the southern tip, you will notice strange machines in the pampas, reminiscent of large grasshoppers, which are constantly pumping oil out of the earth's interior. Drilling rigs also rise up from the ocean. Comodoro Rivadavia is home to thousands of engineers, workers and employees who earn their living directly or indirectly from the oil deposits. The “black gold” is not refined in the city itself, but in La Plata, south of Buenos Aires. Comodoro Rivadavia's oil production covers part of the country's needs. Further drilling is being done in other provinces, especially in Mendoza and San Juan. - 1973

Comodoro Rivadavia is an important port and industrial city on the Atlantic coast of the province of Chubut in southern Argentina. The town of Comodoro Rivadavia was founded in 1901 as the center of the sheep farming region in Central Patagonia. However, when oil was found in search of drinking water in 1907, the city began to grow rapidly. - 1973

For Argentines, Patagonia is a remote and wild world where the most diverse legends circulate. In his work “The Children of Captain Grant”, Jules Verne has given us a description of this mysterious country that excites our imagination. The Río Negro marks the natural border between the provinces of Buenos Aires and Río Negro. In the background of the photo, we can see the silhouette of the church of Carmen de Patagones, an important place of the colonization of the country. During the 19th century, immigrants used the rivers that cross Patagonia in order to penetrate the interior of the country. - 1973

The settlement of settlers from Wales in the valleys of southern Argentina represented the first stage of a comprehensive colonisation programme. Welsh people even ventured into the Andes range. Their intention was to promote agriculture and exploit mineral resources in this part of Argentina. North and west of the Río Chubut, they discovered virgin land as they advanced into the long valleys of the Sierra. The picture shows the interior of a colonial home in Gaiman (Chubut province), an important settlement. This home belongs to Miss Mainwen Williams, the 70-year-old daughter of an Argentinian mother and a Welsh father. Her family includes nine siblings. All the objects that decorate the house are about eighty years old, so they date from the first period of immigrant settlement in this region. There is a small Welsh museum in Gaiman. - 1973

This kiosk is located at Plaza 25 de Mayo in the city of San Juan. The newspaper vendor is selling her wares. - 1973

The sky over Patagonia looks different from anywhere else. It is often veiled by very light clouds that let a strange light shine through. Sometimes the wind blows in violent gusts and causes sandstorms. Then it is necessary to seek shelter immediately to escape the turmoil of the elements. A yellowish light intensifies the sense of threat that grips the traveller. But the storm does not last long, and soon the sky is clear again. The inhabitants of the Pampas have taken advantage of the wind. They set up windmills at various points on their property and use them to pump water out of the ground. In many places this precious wet is completely lacking, which is all the more regrettable because thousands of cattle, which together with the sheep make up the wealth of Patagonia, need a watering place. This picture was taken on the estancia “Las Toscas” in the province of Santa Cruz. - 1973

National Road 3 between Viedma and San Antonio Oeste (Río Negro province). This important transport connection begins in Buenos Aires and leads to the zones near the south polar. Its total length is 3218 kilometres. At the other end of the road, in Tierra del Fuego, is Ushuaia, the southernmost city on earth. The initially asphalted National Road 3 gradually turns into a sandy track, riddled with deep holes that endanger the traffic. Drivers have to be very careful. Petrol stations and garages are rare. Keep this in mind when you travel to Patagonia. Drivers always carry provisions, enough petrol and tools to repair breakdowns. They also have a sense of solidarity and are always ready to help a motorist in trouble. - 1973

A cistern truck and a car are travelling on National Road 3 in Patagonia. - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

Patagonia, also known as desierto verde (green desert), is an immense sheep pasture. The sheep are bred only for the wool. The estancieros completely neglect meat production. The sheep meat is therefore of poor quality and plays no role at all in the national budget. On the other hand, the price of wool has been repeatedly driven up on the international market. About ten million sheep are kept in the polar zones, seven million in Patagonia alone. The wool is pressed into bales of 200 to 300 kilos. It is shipped by ship from Río Gallegos (Santa Cruz province) to Buenos Aires and from Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego) to Europe. In the last few years, synthetic fibres have increasingly competed with wool. Our picture was taken between Río Gallegos and Río Turbio (Santa Cruz province), on the track leading to the Cordillera. - 1973

The boleadoras were the gaucho's first weapon with which he infallibly forced an ostrich (Ñandú) or a bull to the ground within thirty meters. - 1976

This track leads to the Estancia Killik Aike Norte in the province of Santa Cruz. - 1973

Sheep shearing takes place during the months of December and January, in the heart of the southern summer. The work is carried out in a galpón, a building reserved for this purpose that can be seen in all the estancias. The sheep are led to the galpón by ovejeros on horseback. Each esquilador (shearer) shears about 200 sheep a day. He uses an electric shearer set in motion by a motor which, at the same time, provides light to the property. Twice a year the esquiladores cut the wool around the sheep's eyes. The animals cannot see clearly because of the thickness of their fleece. - 1973

The owners of the estancias are very often descendants of immigrants from Europe. They raise sheep to produce as much wool as possible. This estancia is called “Cancha Carreras” and is located between Río Turbio and Calafate (Santa Cruz province). An estancia consists of several buildings, namely residential houses, galpones, workshops, storage sheds, garages, meeting and entertainment halls, libraries, etc. On some estancias you can even find an airfield on which the small planes land that are necessary for the quick connection between the farm and the provincial capital. Enormous distances separate the individual estancias, which are practically cut off from the rest of the world. Contact with the outside world is maintained with the help of short-wave transmitters. Springs guarantee the water supply. They make it possible to establish plantations. Around the estancia stretches the grassy steppe of the pampas, where the domestic animals can graze undisturbed. - 1973

The araucarias (Araucaria araucana) grow in the Andes on both sides of the border between Argentina and Chile. This tree reaches a height of 30 meters. - 1973

South of Sarmiento, one comes across a petrified forest known as “Bosque José Ormachea”. It consists of araucaria trunks that are around 70 million years old. Around it stretches the desert, dominated by washed-out, strangely coloured hills. - 1973

South of Sarmiento, one comes across a petrified forest known as “Bosque José Ormachea”. It consists of araucaria trunks that are around 70 million years old. Around it stretches the desert, dominated by washed-out, strangely coloured hills. - Province of Chubut - 1973

Guanacos are the most common wild animals in Patagonia. They belong to the large family of camels. Guanacos live in groups, are extremely shy and flee at any unusual noise. The Tehuelche used guanaco skins to make their clothing. - 1973

Guanacos are the most common wild animals in Patagonia. They belong to the large family of camels. Guanacos live in groups, are extremely shy and flee at any unusual noise. The Tehuelche used guanaco skins to make their clothing. Cabo dos Bahías - Province of Chubut - 1973

Guanacos are the most common wild animals in Patagonia. They belong to the large family of camels. Guanacos live in groups, are extremely shy and flee at any unusual noise. The Tehuelche used guanaco skins to make their clothing. - Cabo dos Bahías - Province of Chubut - 1973

This armadillo, called a pichi, lives in southern Patagonia. It feeds on grasses and roots. These armadillos are often hunted for their tasty meat. Traditional musical instruments such as the charangos are also made from the carapace parts of some armadillo species. - 1973

The “Cueva de las Manos”, a difficult-to-access rock shelter above the Río Pinturas, between Bajo Caracoles and Perito Moreno (Santa Cruz province). The walls are covered all over with depictions of hands. - 1973

The “Cueva de las Manos”, a difficult-to-access rock shelter above the Río Pinturas, between Bajo Caracoles and Perito Moreno (Santa Cruz province). In a side grotto are these rock paintings of guanacos, hands and symbols. The diameter of the circle is 27 cm. - 1973

Representations of a younger, more developed culture depict meanders, either painted or carved, forming intricate overall patterns. In certain cases, they are even extremely complex labyrinths. They too are probably an expression of religious ideas, but the exact meaning of all these symbols cannot be determined. - This rock painting is located near San Martín de los Andes. - 1975

On the estancia “La Margarita” at Lake Viedma, in the province of Santa Cruz, the gauchos set off for the sheep pastures. On horseback, they cover great distances across the steppes of Patagonia. - 1973

Farrier Delphin Rodríguez from Bahía Bustamante (Chubut province) smiles cheerfully, which is not at all the case for all gauchos in the Pampas. Most of them are rough around the edges as a result of their adventurous lives. It often takes a lot of patience to be accepted by the men in a group. However, beneath the tough exterior lies a big heart. Their love of nature and the great outdoors has become legendary. They are completely at one with the special landscape in which they live, and their profession requires people of unusual strength. - 1973

The gaucho spends most of his life on horseback. He watches over the huge herds of sheep in Patagonia. When he rests from his long journeys across the pampas, he devotes himself to handicrafts. He makes admirable leather whips and takes special care in the manufacture of his stirrups, which are an important part of the mount. The horse of Delphin Rodríguez, the farrier in the previous photo, has stirrups decorated with beautifully crafted wooden pieces. - 1973

On 21 October 1520, Ferdinand Magellan and a fleet of four ships entered a strait separating Patagonia from Tierra del Fuego, which today bears his name. On 28 November of the same year, the Portuguese navigator's sailors reached the Pacific Ocean. The passage had taken thirty-six days. This achievement was one stage in the first voyage around the world, an adventure that was to end in death for Magellan and most of the men in his crew. Today, traversing the Strait of Magellan offers no difficulties, despite the harsh weather in these regions. A ferry connects the mainland with the large southern island. The areas on both sides of the strait belong to Chile. Tierra del Fuego owes its name to the navigator Magellan, who was astonished to notice Indian fires all along the shores. Today, instead of the Indian fires, the columns of flames from the oil drilling sites glow there. The National Road 3 leads to the northern shore of the strait and continues over there. - 1973

On the map, the north of Tierra del Fuego is the natural continuation of the Argentine Patagonia. Here, too, the vast plains can be found, where thousands of domestic animals graze on the thin grasslands. Three million sheep are raised in huge estancias. Suddenly, however, the landscape changes. Hills appear, covered by forests that become denser towards the south. Here, rainfall also increases, allowing lush vegetation to develop. - 1973

This picture is a document. It depicts Angela Loij, who was born sometime between 1896 and 1898 on the estancia “La Sara” (Tierra del Fuego province). This woman is the last survivor from the Ona-lndian tribe, who inhabited a large part of Tierra del Fuego not so long ago. Angela Loij lives in a modest little house in Río Grande, the second largest town on the island, with the support of some clergymen who have settled in the area. The Ona hunted on foot. They consumed the meat of guanacos, foxes, birds and seals, but also shellfish, mushrooms, wild fruits and berries. They built conical, portable huts out of branches and covered them with skins. To protect themselves from the cold, they greased their bodies. The Ona lived in small groups of only about twenty people. - 1973

The dusty track of National Road 3 between Puerto San Julián and Puerto Santa Cruz - Patagonia - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

Low tide on the beach of the Atlantic Ocean at the provincial border south of Comodoro Rivadavia. View towards the northeast - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

Barren landscape on the way to Puerto San Julián on the Antlantic coast - Santa Cruz province - 1973

Flock of sheep on the Río Gallegos - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

Letterbox of the Estancia La Tapera - in the background the Río Chico - Province Santa Cruz - 1973

Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego province) is the southernmost city on earth. It was built on the northern bank of the Beagle Channel. Its foundation dates back to 1862, the work of Reverend Waite Hockin Sterling, who came to this deserted area to protect the Indians against the bad treatment they were subjected to by the whites. Ushuaia is on Argentinean soil. On the other side of the channel, you can see islands that belong to Chile. Cape Horn is not far away. Buenos Aires, on the other hand, lies 3218 kilometres by road to the north ... For about fifty years, Ushuaia served as a penal colony. Today it has about five thousand inhabitants. The port is frequented by ships of small and medium tonnage as well as by sailing boats, whose owners sometimes sail around the world all by themselves. Tourists are rare in Ushuaia. The city's strategic location is important. The Argentine army maintains an air force and naval base here. - 1973

Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego province) is the southernmost city on earth. It was built on the northern bank of the Beagle Channel. Its foundation dates back to 1862, the work of Reverend Waite Hockin Sterling, who came to this deserted area to protect the Indians against the bad treatment they were subjected to by the whites. Ushuaia is on Argentinean soil. Cape Horn is not far away. Buenos Aires, on the other hand, lies 3218 kilometres by road to the north ... For about fifty years, Ushuaia served as a penal colony. Today it has about five thousand inhabitants. The port is frequented by ships of small and medium tonnage as well as by sailing boats, whose owners sometimes sail around the world all by themselves. Tourists are rare in Ushuaia. The city's strategic location is important. The Argentine army maintains an air force and naval base here. - 1973

View of Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. - 1973

This decommissioned ship is anchored near Ushuaia. - 1973

On the way to Estancia Sofía - Río Gallegos Region - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

At the east end of Lago Fagnano in the region of Hostería Kaiken - Province of Santa Cruz - 1973

At Lago Argentino in the Calafate region. There are indigenous pictograms on the rocks. In the background the Andes. - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

Disused wheels on the edge of the Río La Leona - in the background Cerro Fortalezza 722m - Calafate Region - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

Río La Leona with Cerro Fortaleza, 722m. - Calafate Region - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

Horse skeleton in the pampas north of Río Turbio on the way to Calafate. - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

After a heavy rain on the track from Camarones to Bahia Bustamante - Chubut Province - 1973

Travelling flea market in Commodoro Rivadavia - Chubut Province - 1973

A goods train on an unguarded level crossing near Lepa station - Chubut province - 1973

Steam locomotive with coal trailer in Río Turbio - Province of Santa Cruz - 1973

A few kilometres outside Ushuaia is the southernmost national park on earth, where nature has retained all its authenticity. It is forbidden to hunt, fish or cut wood. It is teeming with water birds, predators, hares. Still lakes shine in the most glorious colours. A snow mountain, EI Condor, rises from the park and forms the border between Argentina and Chile, to which the western part of Tierra del Fuego belongs. Argentina has many national parks. - 1973

Mountain range in the region around Ushuaia - Tierra del Fuego ARG - 1973

On the Río Pipo southwest of Ushuaia - Tierra del Fuego ARG - 1973

These iron wheels can be found on the Río Pipo in the Argentinean part of Tierra del Fuego. Monte Susana in the background. - 1973

In recent years, a lively trade has developed between Ushuaia and various ports around the world. In the city's shops you can buy alcoholic beverages, clothes made of synthetic fibres, electrical appliances and cameras at unrivalled prices. The main customers are sailors in transit. Many of the inhabitants of Ushuaia earn their living through trade. The quays are busy at all hours of the day and night. Large bales of wool are waiting to be loaded. Each one bears the name of the estancia from which it came. Men are constantly rushing back and forth between the ships and the goods stacked in the harbour. A ship from Italy has anchored in the bay of Ushuaia. Immediately, the cargo of about six thousand sheep is brought on board. This is no easy task, because the animals are scattered all over the place. Each of them represents a value of about eighty francs. Beyond the canal, on its southern bank, the imposing outline of the island of Navarino can be seen, which is in Chilean possession. - 1973

There are huge flocks of sheep in Patagonia. Not the meat but the wool is the main purpose of sheep farming. One sheep yields four to five kilos of wool. After shearing, this is pressed into bales weighing about 200 kilograms and wrapped in cloth. In the port of Río Grande, these bales are shipped to Europe. - 1973

There are huge flocks of sheep in Patagonia. Not the meat but the wool is the main purpose of sheep farming. One sheep yields four to five kilos of wool. After shearing, it is pressed into bales weighing about 200 kilograms and wrapped in a cloth on which a worker writes the name of the estancia. - Estancia “Las Toscas” in the province of Santa Cruz. - 1976

Lake Brazo Rico near Calafate - in the background you can already see the Perito Moreno glacier. - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

Rainbow over Lake Brazo Rico near Calafate - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

The northern arm of Lake Brazo Rico near Calafate - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

At the northern arm of the lake Brazo Rico near Calafate with a dead tree and two water birds - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

Landscape at the eastern end of Lago Argentino. In the background the Andes. - Calafate Region - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

The western part of Patagonia is formed by the Andes Cordillera, which represents an insurmountable barrier in some sections. The winds blow from the Pacific in an almost unchanging direction. The clouds they bring accumulate above the high mountain peaks and cause abundant precipitation. This explains why, despite their low altitude, glaciers of sometimes enormous dimensions extend along the eastern flank of the Andes. In the Los Glaciares National Park (Santa Cruz Province) lies the Argentino, the Silver Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in this southern region. The town of Calafate on its southern shore is visited by more and more tourists. Several glaciers can be seen nearby. One is called Uppsala and is 40 kilometres long. An equally famous one is called Perito Moreno. - On the picture you can recognise the author of these photos: Maximilien Bruggmann. - 1973

The western part of Patagonia is formed by the Andes Cordillera, which represents an insurmountable barrier in some sections. The winds blow from the Pacific in an almost unchanging direction. The clouds they bring accumulate above the high mountain peaks and cause abundant precipitation. This explains why, despite their low altitude, glaciers of sometimes enormous dimensions extend along the eastern flank of the Andes. In the Los Glaciares National Park (Santa Cruz Province) lies the Argentino, the Silver Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in this southern region. The town of Calafate on its southern shore is visited by more and more tourists. Several glaciers can be seen nearby. One is called Uppsala and is 40 kilometres long. An equally famous one is called Perito Moreno. Navigation on the Silver Lake is dangerous, if only because of the wind and the storms that are frequent in the Cordillera. Nature, preserved in its authenticity, attracts many scientists who can devote themselves to their studies here. - 1973

The Argentine Antarctic covers an area of 1,230,000 square kilometres, a world of ice and rocks that is still largely unexplored. Only a few have had the courage and endurance to venture into this inhospitable region, where dangers threaten and temperatures are extremely low. Already in certain sections of the Andes Cordillera, especially in the southernmost part, one feels this impression of solitude. You only have to make the trip to the Perito Moreno glacier to convince yourself of this. This magnificent glacier owes its name to an Argentinean naturalist. It is 17 kilometres long and at least three kilometres wide, with a front height of 70 metres. Here at the glacier break-off, blocks of ice are constantly breaking away and plummeting into the depths with a deafening roar. They then float as icebergs through Lake Argentino. The Perito Moreno glacier advances four metres a year - a consequence of the heavy precipitation on the peaks of the southernmost Andes. - 1973

An Indian woman from the province of Neuquén. She belongs to the Araucaniens, who live on both sides of the border between Argentina and Chile. The silver jewellery worn by the women of this ethnic group is remarkable. - 1973

Tobacco pouch made of ñandú leather (South American ostrich). This wild animal abounds in Patagonia; it is smaller than its African counterpart. The object has a length of 35 centimetres. It is decorated with small silver nails, which form symbolic designs (Museo de la Patagonia, Bariloche, Río Negro). - 1973

The nguillatun is the most important festival of the Araucan Indians. This photo was taken in San Martín de los Andes (province of Neuquén), without the knowledge of the natives for whom the festival has a sacred meaning. - 1973

Fitz Roy 3405 m), one of the most beautiful Argentinean Andean peaks, rises in the Los Glaciares National Park (Santa Cruz province). Because of the harsh weather that prevails in the mountains, it is dangerous to climb. - 1973

Fitz Roy (3375 m), one of the most beautiful Argentinean Andean peaks, rises in the Los Glaciares National Park (Santa Cruz province). Because of the harsh weather that prevails in the mountains, it is dangerous to climb. - 1973

Guanacos grazing on the pampas. The Fitz Roy massif in the background. - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

On the Estancia Santa Margarita. In the background the Fitz Roy massif. - Santa Cruz Province - 1973

San Carlos de Bariloche in the province of Río Negro is one of the most famous holiday resorts in Argentina, along with Mar del Plata. Even in neighbouring countries, in the United States and in Europe, people talk about it. An 1800-kilometre asphalt road provides the connection to Buenos Aires. The city was built on the shores of the famous Lake Nahuel Huapi. In summer and winter, thousands of tourists from all provinces of the country and from abroad crowd the streets. They have displaced the Araucanians, who were once the unchallenged masters of the whole area. San Carlos de Bariloche is something like a small capital in the mountains. There are picturesque little houses here, but also skyscrapers and ostentatious buildings, which contribute to the fact that the place is getting uglier and uglier. Diversions include fishing, sailing, swimming, golf and, in winter, skiing. Lake Nahuel Huapi lends its name to a huge national park where you can find plant species peculiar to the region and wildlife, including deer. - 1973

The cobbled main square of San Carlos de Bariloche. - Neuquén Province - 1973

El Chocón is the fourth of five dams on the Río Limay in the northwestern part of Patagonia in Argentina. The reservoir lies on the border of the provinces of Neuquén and Río Negro and is the largest hydropower plant in Patagonia. It is used to monitor and control the flow of the Río Limay to the Río Negro. The water is also used for irrigation. - 1973

62 kilometres away from San Carlos de Bariloche, on the banks of the Limay River, lies Valle Encantado, a place with a special magic. Surrounded by mountains and rock formations that, letting the imagination run wild, come to life in the eyes of the beholder. - Neuquén Province - 1973

62 kilometres away from San Carlos de Bariloche, on the banks of the Limay River, lies Valle Encantado, a place with a special magic. Surrounded by mountains and rock formations that, letting the imagination run wild, come to life in the eyes of the beholder. . Neuquén Province - 1973

Lake Espejo is a lake of glacial tectonic origin located in the department of Los Lagos in the province of Neuquén, Argentina. It is near the town of Villa La Angostura and is part of the Seven Lakes Road. Its name is due to the fact that its calm and clean waters reflect the landscapes of its shores like a mirror. It is fed by the melt water from the surrounding mountains through several streams that flow into it. Its shores alternate volcanic sandy beaches, reed beds and steep rocky areas. - 1973

The estancia is a small town. It includes many different buildings. Sometimes there is even a school, which is attended by the children of the farm workers. This saves the pupils the trip to the next village, which is often dozens of kilometres away. A single teacher teaches the little ones and the big ones. Our picture was taken during the break in the school of the estancia “Palitué” (Neuquén province). Little José Luis Jimenéz, son of a peon, drinks his cup of milk. - 1973

Gauchos from the Palitué estancia (province of Neuquén) go to the corral (cattle park) where all the domestic animals on the estate are kept. They will carry out a strict selection of them. They dedicate themselves to this work whenever they are not called upon to carry out other tasks. But, in one case as in others, the gauchos always travel on horseback, which is their favourite means of transport, very rarely setting foot on land. They carry with them the accessories they need to do their work. - 1973

Cows from the Palitué estancia (province of Neuquén), which have just given birth to their young, are gathered in the corral. The gauchos will soon make their appearance in order to carry out work of the utmost importance. It is a matter of separating the heifers from their mothers, which is not without its difficulties. Then the cows are taken back by the gauchos to their respective pastures where they will eventually gain the necessary weight. To achieve this, they need to be perfectly quiet, hence the cruel necessity to take their offspring away from them. The pastures are chosen for the quality of their grass. Finally, the cows are sent by truck to the slaughterhouses and the meat is kept in the capital's refrigerators. These measures are justified by the fact that Argentines have a predominantly meat diet. But it should also be pointed out that the production and sale of meat abroad is one of the main economic activities of the Argentine nation. - 1973

The gaucho's task is both arduous and dangerous. It is the result of a long tradition which dates back to the beginning of the colonisation of the pampas. It requires skill, patience, endurance and a great deal of security of movement. These essential qualities are put to good use especially when sorting the animals inside the corral. The constant coming and going of the animals is not made to facilitate the movement of the gaucho. In addition, the dust that rises from the corral floor forms clouds in which people and animals seem to get lost. But the gaucho and his horse are one and the same, because they have been used to this kind of exercise for a long time. This agreement also exists between the different gauchos who work in an estancia. The daily task involves a lot of discipline on the part of the men. These conditions must be observed every time the animals are grouped together, taken to the pasture or sorted out. - 1973

The great rivers that run through Patagonia have their source in the Andes. The gradient is gentle, and the watercourses take their time before pouring into the Atlantic Ocean. But in the rainy season, when the storms rage in the peaks of the Cordillera, the rivers swell. Then floods threaten people, animals and crops. The inhabitants of both banks use the many fords as river crossings. The photograph shows a scene that used to be characteristic of life in the pampas, but is becoming increasingly rare today as a result of Argentina's economic development: A herd of four hundred Hereford cattle is being driven through the Río Alumine (Neuquén province) and taken to the next estancia. These transports are increasingly carried out with the help of trucks, at least where bridges allow the rapid crossing of Patagonia's rivers and streams. - 1973

This horse-drawn cart has obviously not been used for a long time - Estancia Palitué - Neuquén Province - 1975

From one province of Argentina to another, the gauchos dress somewhat differently. However, there are essential elements in their clothing and in the accessories they carry with them that can be found everywhere. The photo shows us, seen from behind, a gaucho from the province of Buenos Aires. Tirador or rastra are two words that designate the belt. The belt is often decorated with medals and old coins. The facón (knife), slipped into the belt, is made of chased silver. In other parts of the pampas, however, it is a common kitchen knife. - 1973

Here we are in the estancia known as Villa Maria. This large estate belongs to the province of Buenos Aires. It is the day of the remate, an important event in the life of the Argentinean pampas. The owners of the estancias sell some of their best cattle at public auction. Each participant will then be invited to a big meal. The preparation of this meal is not a simple task, due to the large number of guests who arrive at lunchtime. Meat is included in every meal, both in the country and in the city. A soup was offered to the participants. The empty plates form an impressive heap on the grass of the meadow. Beef quarters were attached to long metal stakes and placed in front of the embers of the fireplace. It is the asado, a typical dish of Argentinean cuisine, which delights tourists as much as the locals. This asado will be accompanied, as it should be, by delicious wines produced in the country. - 1973

The remate is in full swing in the Villa Maria estancia (Buenos Aires province). The event takes place inside a circular enclosure around which all the participants have gathered. The participants did not hesitate to travel several hundred kilometres to get to the remate. Most of them took a small plane to facilitate their travel. The large estates of Patagonia and the pampas are equipped with an airfield. Private planes allow fast connections between the estancias. They also make direct connections possible between the most remote estancias and the nation's capital. During the remate, the horned beasts are sold at public auction. The owners take their animals around the enclosure several times under the critical eye of the participants. The auctioneer leads the sale. He too is a great cattle connoisseur. Bulls are sold by piece or in pairs. In other cases, the owner gets rid of a whole lot of animals. Each remate is a feast, which is accompanied by a meal offered to the guests. - 1973

A Jesuit who came from Chile introduced the vine to Argentina in 1556. However, it was not until the 19th century that winegrowing took off considerably and became one of the country's most important food industries. The provinces of Mendoza, San Juan, Córdoba, Río Negro, San Luis and Salta are the wine-growing regions par excellence in Argentina. The total area covered by vineyards is almost 300,000 hectares. The annual wine production for all the provinces mentioned amounts to approximately 30 million hectolitres. Argentina is the fourth largest wine producer in the world. The most modern facilities are located in Mendoza, where winemaking has developed in a truly spectacular way. For the whole country, the grape harvest takes place during the month of March, at the end of the southern summer. A festive atmosphere prevails in all the localities concerned. The wine is put into wooden or cement fermentation vats. The alcohol content of Argentinean wine is 12.5 degrees. The old man in the photo is a connoisseur of the new wine. It illustrates the friendly fondness that Argentines have for a drink that is found at every meal. - 1973

Wine barrels at Barbita Abdala's 'Bodega El Recreo' in Cafayate - Salta Province - 1973

The famous Andean train connects Buenos Aires to Santiago de Chile. It passes over high passes and through wilderness areas. Such is the case of Puente del Inca and Las Cuevas (Mendoza province). In winter, snowfalls are frequent and the train is sometimes blocked for several days. The railway runs along a track once used by the Incas. - 1973

Cemetery on the top of the pass at ‘Puente del Inca’ between Mendoza and Santiago - 1973

The Andes Cordillera is the backbone of the South American continent, forming at certain points an impassable barrier. It establishes the natural border between the eastern, low-lying areas and the Pacific coastline, which extends westwards for thousands of kilometres. The Aconcagua (approx. 7,000 metres), dear to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, is the highest peak in the Andes mountain range. It rises majestically between Argentina and Chile. It is usually covered with clouds. Its ascent has tempted many andinists - the name given to mountaineers. However, it presents serious dangers. - 1973

The construction of the imposing cathedral on Plaza San Martin in the Argentine city of Córdoba began in the 16th century. Its completion took over 200 years (until 1782) and went through several architectural eras, which are reflected in the different styles of the monumental cathedral. Like other monumental buildings from the colonial era that are well worth seeing, the Roman Catholic church is located directly on the central square of Córdoba, Plaza San Martin. The square is truly the center of the city, because all of Córdoba's house numbers are counted from its northwest corner. - 1973

The construction of the imposing cathedral on Plaza San Martin in the Argentine city of Córdoba began in the 16th century. Its completion took over 200 years (until 1782) and went through several architectural eras, which are reflected in the different styles of the monumental cathedral. Like other monumental buildings from the colonial era that are well worth seeing, the Roman Catholic church is located directly on the central square of Cordoba, Plaza San Martin. The square is truly the center of the city, because all of Cordoba's house numbers are counted from its northwest corner. - 1973

Ox cart at the Secundo Nazario Hacienda, Villa Aberastain - San Juan Province - 1973

Argentina has a road network which in many provinces is in good condition. It allows for relatively fast travel, which is particularly appreciated as the distances between cities are enormous. Some roads extend as far as the southern regions. Others cross the pampas. Still others run along the Andes or set out to conquer the formidable mountain range. One of the latter links Buenos Aires to Santiago de Chile, via passes at an altitude of over 4,000 metres. Very often these roads are not asphalted. Terrible natural obstacles hamper their maintenance. The National Road No. 40 follows the eastern flank of the Andes mountain range. It is the busiest road between Río Gallegos (province of Santa Cruz) and La Quiaca (province of Jujuy). It covers a distance of almost 4,500 kilometres. Avalanches and landslides interrupt this road. The landscape in the Calchaquies valley is desert-like. The rocks are reminiscent of backwash, hence the name of Corte el Ventisquero, given to this area of Salta. - 1973

A mine train brings the ore to the smelting plant in San Antonio de los Cobres - Province of Salta - 1975

The landscape between Cachi and Molinos (province of Salta) is characteristic. There is a plain where vegetation is scarce. The famous candelabra cactus (Saguaro) are among the best-represented species in the area. - 1975

The landscape between Cachi and Molinos (province of Salta) is characteristic. There is a plain where vegetation is scarce. The famous candelabra cactus (Saguaro) are among the best-represented species in the area. - 1973

A gaucho from the Campo Alegre estancia approaches us. He crosses the grassy plain of the province of Salta. The lasso and the guardamontes are made of leather. These last pieces protect the rider's legs from the thorny bushes that grow in this desert region of Argentina. His red woollen poncho shows a black band that was added by the weavers as a sign of mourning at the death of the caudillo Martin Miguel de Güemes, a native of the province of Salta. The bolas are hardly used today because of the accidents they caused, but they are present in the gaucho's saddle. - 1973

The landscape between Cachi and Molinos (province of Salta) is characteristic. There is a plain where vegetation is scarce. The famous candelabra cactus (Saguaro) are among the best-represented species in the area. - 1973

Young girl from Abra Pampa (province of Jujuy). In this place, the Andean Indian type dominates. - 1973

The church in the village of Humahuaca (province of Jujuy) is of colonial type. It is an ancient place, already frequented in pre-Columbian times, as evidenced by the partially restored ruins of Tilcara. - 1973

View of the small village of Catua in the province of Jujuy on the way over the Huaitiquina Pass to Antofagasta. - 1975

Archaeological discoveries have been numerous in the northwestern provinces of Argentina. The picture shows a female figure in terracotta, 31 centimetres high. This object belongs to the Condorhuasi culture (Museo Calchaquí, Catamarca). - 1973

The object shown here is a polished, red clay vase with black decorations and a vertical handle. Its diameter is 13 centimetres. It belongs to the Inca Paya culture (Museo arqueológico de Cachi, province of Salta). - 1973

Many pre-Columbian objects have been discovered in tombs, hence their religious character. This ritual bronze bell, decorated with anthropomorphic figures, is from the Santa Maria culture (Catamarca). The object is 22.5 centimetres high (Museo de Cachi, Province of Salta). - 1973

Among the traditional pieces collected from pre-Columbian burials, we should mention this grey stone mask with red decorations on the cheeks. It belongs to the Selen culture (Catamarca). It is 29.5 centimetres high (Museo Calchaqui, Catamarca province). - 1973

Tired of the long hike, you can relax comfortably, even if you are an obstacle on the road to Jujuy. - 1973

Small church near San Fernando in the Catamarca valley. - 1973

Bells of a small church near San Fernando in the Catamarca Valley. - 1973

Landscape near Tres Cruces in the northwest of the Jujui Province. - 1973

Landscape near Tres Cruces in the northwest of the Jujuy Province. - 1973

Landscape with llamas near Tres Cruces in the northwest of the Jujui Province. - 1973

These horse-drawn vehicles will probably no longer exist today; they will have replaced them long ago. - Tucumán Province - 1973

Sugar cane is grown in the region of Villa Belgrano in the province of Tucumán. - 1973

'Pucará de Tilcara' is one of the most important archaeological sites in Northern Argentina, created from the site of an old Indian defensive village of the Tilcara Indians. It is located at an extremely good strategic point above the 'Quebrada de Humahuaca' canyon, where the Inca Road crosses. It is located at an altitude of 2450 m, one kilometer south of the city of Tilcara on a hill 80 m above the Río Grande in the province of Jujuy. - 1973

Maimara Cemetery ("Star that falls" in the omaguaca language), located in the department of Tilcara in the province of Jujuy. Its geographical environment belongs to the Humahuaca ravine, and its main characteristic is the polychromy of its hills. The Río Grande runs a few meters from there. - 1973

The historical monument Posta de la Angostura is a post dating from colonial times, located in the middle of Quebrada de Humahuaca, within the department of Tilcara, in the province of Jujuy. - 1973

Humahuaca in the north of the Jujuy Province - the boy Juanito is sitting on a Coca Cola box and selling his pottery. - 1973

On June 24th there is an alms harvest for San Juan in Jujuy. - 1973

During the conquest of South America, the Spaniards brought with them plant species that the Indians of the continent did not know yet: wheat, rye, barley, etc. The introduction of these plants went hand in hand with the introduction of new working methods. In the large estancias, the machine made its appearance. On the other hand, everywhere else, the farmers still used old techniques, which is why we have some very beautiful scenes, on a human scale. Peasants fanning porrotos (white beans) growing in the Sierra de Zapata (Catamarca). - 1973

The looms of pre-Columbian times consisted of four stakes planted in the ground. The Spaniards introduced the voluminous pedal loom, which was immediately adopted by the natives. It was mainly used to make fabrics of certain dimensions and a single colour. Beautiful red wool ponchos are woven in Molinos (Salta). They are worn by the locals or sold to tourists. - 1973

The folk music of the north-western provinces of Argentina is of remarkable diversity. Its origins date back to pre-Columbian times, but the influences of Western music are also clearly visible. This folklore has its followers among the foreigners as well as the natives. This Indian beats a small drum and sings, surrounded by colleagues and spectators. It is the eve of the Salta city festival in memory of the hero of the wars of independence, Martin Miguel de Güemes, a famous son of this province. - 1973

The city of Salta was founded by the Spanish in 1582. It lies at an altitude of 1187 m above sea level. The Church of San Francisco shows Spanish colonial style. - 1973

June 17th is a big day in the city of Salta. A popular festival celebrates the memory of an almost legendary figure, the popular leader Martin Miguel de Güemes, who died in 1821. Thousands of gauchos parade through the streets of the provincial capital. - 1973

The gauchos of Salta wear a flat hat reminiscent of the headgear of the Andalusians. - 1973

Girl from a family of zafreros living in the region of Tucumán. Sugar cane is the agricultural wealth of this province. But Tucumán is also considered the garden of the country. Rainfall is high, so a rich flora thrives. However, with its 22,524 square kilometres, Tucumán is the smallest province in the country. Sugar production reaches more than one million tonnes annually. The cañeros work on their own account. The zafra (harvest) takes place between June and September. - 1973

Hornos fijos (ovens) of the coalmen of Chaco. These constructions have a diameter of about 10 metres and a height of 4 metres. They can be found in the monte, the dense forest of the province. The hornos fijos are used to make charcoal. - 1973

In the monte, in the north of Santa Fe province, the locals beat the quebracho colourado. This is a tree about 25 metres high and with an average diameter of one and a half metres. The heartwood is rich in tannin, which is used in industry. - 1973

This horse-drawn vehicle will probably no longer exist today either; it will have replaced trucks a long time ago. - Between Goya and Esquina - Corrientes Province - 1973

The landscape in the north of Argentina exerts a great fascination on all travellers who pass through this area. Here they will also find a natural wonder: the world-famous lguassú Falls in the heart of the jungle, in the extreme north of the province of Misiones. They plunge 70 metres in no less than two hundred and seventy-five waterfalls forming a three-kilometre-long arc. The source of the lguassú is in Brazil. - 1973

The water network in Argentina is widely ramified. Large rivers run through the country. Most of them have their source in the Andes Cordillera. At times they flood, especially during the southern summer, when the rain pours down almost incessantly on the heights of the Sierra. From the eastern foot of the Andes to the coastal strip of the Atlantic Ocean stretches a wide plain with a very slight gradient. Here, the watercourses meander lazily before pouring into the sea. On its banks, humans found a home and could devote himself to agriculture. These conditions apply primarily to the southern provinces. In the north, on the other hand, the climate is characterised by frequent rainfall, which causes rivers and streams to swell. Many waterways are navigable and play a not insignificant role in transport. The vegetation is tropical, with an endless variety of plants, some of which are used industrially. The landscape exerts a great fascination on all travellers who pass through this area. Here they will also find a natural wonder: the world-famous lguassú Falls in the heart of the jungle, in the extreme north of the province of Misiones. They plunge 70 metres in no less than two hundred and seventy-five waterfalls forming a three-kilometre-long arc. The source of the lguassú is in Brazil. - 1973

Fabien Romero, called Chavi, is an old hunter and used to be an Indian slayer. He lives on the estancia “Miraflores” (Santa Fe province) and is said to be 112 to 115 years old. Like all Argentines, he likes to sip his mate tea. - 1973

A lumberjack from the north of the Santa Fe province enjoys his earned mate. - 1973

Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is the “green gold” of the province of Misiones, which has a tropical climate. The plantations of hierba mate cover an area of 200,000 hectares and yield an annual production of 95,000 tonnes. The zones where this shrub thrives are called hierbales. It takes four years for the plant to reach maturity. Each bush yields thirty kilos of green leaves, which results in ten kilos of dried leaves. It can be used for fifty years. The herb is used to brew the national drink, a refreshing, stimulating tea. - 1973

A hierbal near EI Dorado (Misiones province), whose current owners are from Switzerland. These two men, the tareferos, fill a raido with mate branches. One such bale - the jute fabric is called ponchada - weighs a hundred kilos. - 1973

In the 17th century, the Jesuits settled in the province of Misiones and founded reservations for the Indians. The crumbling church of San Ignacio Miní dates from that time. - 1973

In the 17th century, the Jesuits settled in the province of Misiones and founded reservations for the Indians. The crumbling church of San Ignacio Miní dates from that time. A strangler fig clings to a wall. - 1973

In the 17th century, the Jesuits settled in the province of Misiones and founded reservations for the Indians. The portal of the crumbling church of San Ignacio Mini dates from that time. - 1973

The majority of Paraguay's Indians are Guaranis. You also meet them in the Argentinean province of Misiones. This indigenous woman is sitting outside her house, weaving a basket. - 1973

The majority of Paraguay's Indians are Guaranis. You also meet them in the Argentinean province of Misiones. This indigenous man is sitting outside her house, weaving a basket. - 1973

A Guarani girl at the mission station of Padre José Marx SVD in San Ignacio - Province of Missiones - 1973

A Guarani boy at the mission station of Padre José Marx SVD in San Ignacio - Province of Missiones - 1973

The province of Corrientes is one of the most agriculturally fertile in Argentina. This is thanks to a climate whose temperatures always remain within pleasant limits and a rainfall that reaches 1800 millimetres in certain years. This zone in the north of the country also includes the province of Misiones. There are many population centres there. The inhabitants plant tobacco, rice, coffee, tropical fruits and hierba mate. But they also engage in cattle breeding. The large rivers allow some of the transport to be done by water. One only has to think of the Uruguay, which is 1812 kilometres long and twelve kilometres wide at its mouth. The abundance of rain has created numerous swamps and marshes, which have become a paradise for countless species of water birds and wild animals, an Eldorado for every nature lover. Horses can also be found here, going out to pasture. - 1973

The Río Paraná near the city of San Ignacio, known for the ruins of the Jesuit reduction of San Ignacio Miní, the remains of which are among the best preserved from this historical period. - Misiones province - 1973

Palm grove between Goya and Esquina - Corrientes province - 1973

The Puente General Manuel Belgrano is a road bridge over the Río Paraná that connects the Argentine cities of Resistencia in the province of Chaco and Corrientes in the province of the same name. Construction of the bridge 1968-1973. - 1973

On this chair, a gaucho has laid out his indispensable daily utensils: the chambergo (hat), the bolas, the leather lasso, the riding whip, the facón (knife), the tirador (belt), the stirrups, the bombilla and the mate. - 1973

A capataz of the estancia “La Amalia” (Entre Ríos province) with one of his children. The number of gauchos on the estates is quite large. They are placed under the orders of a supervisor, the capataz, who enjoys the confidence of the owner. - 1973

Night slowly descends on the estancia “La Mimosa” (Entre Ríos province). The moment has come to round up the cows that were separated from their calves a few months earlier. This segregation was done by the cattle farmers to ensure a quiet life for the cows on preferential pastures. The task is difficult, and many gauchos are involved. The same scenes take place on every estancia in the pampas. They show stages in a cycle of important work on which a large part of the national economy depends. - 1973

Hundreds of cattle have been brought by the gauchos from their pastures to the estancia. They are then loaded onto trucks bound for Liniers in Buenos Aires. Cows from almost all Argentine provinces can be seen at this assembly point. The herds pass in front of the experts in dense rows. You can recognise representatives of the Hereford, Shorthorn, Aberdeen Angus, Holando and Cruza breeds. An estimated 15 000 to 18 000 head of cattle are sold every day. - 1973

The first cold stores were built in Argentina in 1883. This technical advance had a considerable impact on the country's economy, because the freezing plants allowed meat to be preserved in a country that was already almost entirely oriented towards meat production at that time. As early as 1878, refrigerated ships facilitated the export of meat to many parts of the world. The capital's freezers are equipped with modern facilities. Strict hygiene is the top priority. - 1973

Argentines are increasingly drawn to sports like football. Sunday after Sunday, thousands of aficionados (fans) flock to the stadiums of the capital and the provincial cities. Incidentally, they share this predilection with other South Americans. Nevertheless, the horse has not been forgotten. The old gaucho tradition exerts an irresistible spell on Argentines. This explains why a sport like polo could achieve great importance in this country. Polo, invented by the English as colonial masters in India, is played in Argentina by the wealthy class. - 1973

Folk festival of the doma at the headquarters of the Palermo agricultural cooperative (Buenos Aires). On Saturdays and Sundays, gauchos from the province and nearby areas come to produce in front of an enthusiastic crowd. The doma is a kind of rodeo. The rider wants to stay in the saddle as long as possible. The horse is blindfolded until the moment it is released. It makes every effort to throw the rider off. - 1973

Only a few of the huge single-axle vehicles that were used to conquer the expanses of the pampas little more than a century ago are still in working order today. - Near Chicligasta, Tucumán Province. - 1973

The time of conquests, when new, free and uninhabited plains opened up behind every hill, is over ... - San Antonio de Areco, Province Buenos Aires - 1975

The boleadoras were the gaucho's first weapon with which he infallibly forced an ostrich (Ñandú) or a bull to the ground within thirty meters. - Estancia La Mimosa, Province Buenos Aires. - 1976

Metallic skeletons on the endless pampas, the "mills" tame the wind to pump essential water for the herds, sometimes from considerable depths. - Estancia Las Toscas, Province Santa Cruz, Patagonia - 1976

In southern Patagonia and especially on Tierra del Fuego and in southern Chile, the climate and vegetation only allow sheep farming. The flocks graze scattered over thousands of hectares of stony wasteland. They are only herded together for three occasions: Disinfection bath, shearing and slaughter. But then the ovejeros, the shepherd gauchos, are often on the move for days with their powerful dogs, keeping in touch with each other with high altitude fires and smoke signals. - Near Estancia Los Luises, Santa Cruz Province - 1973

Troperos bring a herd intended for sale across the Alumine River in the Andean foothills. - Province Neuquén. - 1973

On the estancia “La Margarita” at Lake Viedma, in the province of Santa Cruz, the gauchos set off for the sheep pastures. On horseback, they cover great distances across the steppes of Patagonia. In the background the Fitz Roy massif. - 1973

Lake Nahuel Huapi (Araucanian for ‘Lake of Tiger Island’), which is comparable in size (529 km²) to Lake Constance, is a vast glacial trough into which several glacial streams converged. This explains its intricate network of fjord-like branches. It is known as the ‘Lake Lucerne’ of Argentina, whilst the surrounding mountain landscape, including the skiing paradise at Cerro Catedral (2,388 m), is referred to as the ‘Argentine Switzerland’. - Book: Picture 196 - Argentina - 1973

As the eastern tongue of the great Patagonian ice field, the 17-kilometre-long Moreno Glacier stretches down to the southern arm of Lago Argentino, where it ends in a 70-metre-high ice wall. Its scientific discoverer, R. Hauthal, had named it the ‘Bismarck Glacier’ in 1899; it was given its current name in honour of the Argentine naturalist F. P. Moreno. Even in Hauthal’s day, clear signs of irregular advances were evident, whilst the other Southern Andes glaciers were already retreating. Since then, the Canal de los Témpanos has been completely blocked on several occasions, leading to a build-up of water in the southern part of the lake and catastrophic flooding, prompting attempts – in vain – to blast the ice wall with bombs. It was only after a transverse crevasse had formed in the 2 to 2.5-kilometre-wide glacier tongue that the floodwaters drained away. Today, the ‘Canal de los Témpanos’ is open again. - Book: Picture 204 - Argentina - 1973

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