Argentina is well-known because of its vast farming lands as
reflected by the weight of agriculture on the nation's economy.
Within the country's territory, agriculture and cattle breeding
are concentrated around establishments of varying characteristics, depending
on the type of operation, size and category, and which are accordingly
classified into estancias (ranches), fields, farms and mixed farming
units.
There are more than 900 ranches in Argentina, many of which
date back to the 18th century and earlier. In some of them, ranch houses
are magnificent, comfortable and richly furnished mansions built in
English, French, Italian or Spanish Colonial style. When these establishments
operate as guest ranches, it is the landholders' families who provide
services to visitors.
Ranches and farms are scattered from the North to the South, and from
the East to the West of the 2,791,810 Km²-long Argentine territory
within the American continent. They are mostly concentrated in the province
of Buenos Aires and in the Patagonia. Farm sizes vary widely, there
are establishments of over 100,000 Ha and also small homesteads built
on 1 Ha estates.
Farm vacations' characteristic and options depend on the area's natural
features, therefore visitors can choose from different climates and
vistas - the subtropical north of the country (with or without dry season),
mild climates in central Argentina, and sub-Antarctic cold in the south.
Visitors also have a wide range of recreational activities to choose
from depending on the size, architectural style, available services,
type of food, rural culture, and farming activities of each of these
establishments.
Activities include fishing, hunting, horseback riding, walks, native
fauna sighting, flora observation and visits to museums. Guests can
also take part in ranch chores, cattle driving, cow milking, sheep shearing,
lamb and cattle branding, equine events, gaucho rodeos, informal gatherings
where folk music is played and danced, and games of polo or pato (Argentina's
national sport played with a ball with handles). In addition, country
museums provide the opportunity of learning about the history of early
settlers and their pioneering endeavors.
In a word, the tourist is a guest who shares the life of an Argentine
ranch with the landholders.
