This province pays tribute to the etymology of its name: beautiful. It is regarded as an ecotourism paradise due to its lush forest area escorting the rivers’ course and the fact it is populated with the most unique types of fauna species and birds.

Lying in the northeast sector of Argentina, Formosa shares borders with Paraguay on the north and on the east, with Salta on the west and with Chaco province in the Southern area.

Its name stems from the Castilian word “fermoso”, meaning “beautiful”, a term chosen to convey the beauty characterizing the region.

Its capital city, Formosa, is referred to as the city of plastic arts.Countless artists find in Formosa´s magnificent spots the natural muse to inspire the creation of their works. Delicate brushstrokes outline the dazzling settings lying in the beautiful Formosa. Visitors may become acquainted with the exquisity quality of these pictorial works shown at a great deal of Formosa´s exhibit rooms.

Other prominent cities in this province include Clorinda, Espinillo, Pirané, San Francisco de Laishí, Comandante Fontana, Laguna Yema, Ingeniero Juárez and General Enrique Mosconi.

Just like Chaco, its neighboring province, Formosa is also known for its large population of indigenous communities, mainly those of Tobas, Wichis and Pilagás native indians. That is why it is the hosting venue for the “Encounter of Indigenous Peoples of America”, which involves an event gathering indigenous representatives from different kinds of entities, conglomerates and foundations striving for the respect of Pre-Columbian peoples´ human rights and the preservation of their culture.

Discovering Formosa´s rich and varied nature equates unveiling a universe of unforgettable sensations. Its large rivers, swamps, streams and forests house the most diverse birds like herons, toucans, chajaes, and bandurrias. Similarly, It harbors exotic and unique fauna species such as the aguará guazú, alligators, yaguaretés and ant bears. With respect to the flora living in this setting, it features its vast beauty through a colorful type of landscape. As regards the majestic provincial landscape contouring the province of Formosa, it is made up of species ranging from pink, white and yellow lapachos to the false caoba, and chivatos in their intense red, orange and yellow varieties.

Geography
Formosa lies on a large slightly sloping area, making up the Chaco´s plains. On the Eastern border of this sedimentary basin, rests a native hydrographic system powered by local excesses of water, which as a result give rise to a type of landscape depicting swamps, streams and gallery forests.

Large palm trees lie under low and heavy soils. The “Islands of the strong mount” ("isletas de monte fuerte"), with prevailing Chaco´s red quebracho and urunday varieties, may be found in the highest soils.

The central part of Chaco province houses parks and dry savannas, with middle-seized xerophilous forests outlining more or less closed islands.

With respect ot the western region, there is a predomince of woody, spinal or vinal vegetation featuring both the high Santiago’s red quebracho mount as well as the white quebracho variety.

The major rivers flowing in this region are the Paraguay, Pilcomayo and Bermejo rivers. Formosa lies within the Maritime Subtropical Region, and its warm weather stands as a feature characterizing this province. As regards the highest temperatures recorded during December and January, they may reach up to 45ºC. As to the mean annual temperatures, they range from 22º to 23º respectively. Winters are short-lasting and not too harsh.

History
Formosa´s current territorial area was inhabited by guaraníes, payaguás, wiichis and pilagás native indians, among others, during the XVI Century.

The first European immigrants to set foot on Formosa´s land were Diego García de Moguer and Sebastián Gaboto`s expedition crew members back in 1528. This province is believed to have owned the Arcaic Spanish name of Formosa (meaning Beautiful) ever since that time as a sign of homage to a Paraguay River round, endowed with beautiful scenery, outstanding fishing and hunting opportunities, and a very adequate land for camping and vessel anchoring purposes.

Nevertheless, and despite the proximity of Asunción del Paraguay city and Corrientes province, resistance on the part of the first native indian populations hindered the European or criollas groups from settling steadily until the end of the XIX century.

Since 1811 up to 1865, Formosa´s current territory was disputed by Argentina and Paraguay until 1870 when the latter disregarded its claims over the Pilcomayo River Southern area and Argentina followed suit with respect to this river Northern area.

Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay signed the Treaty of the Triple Alliance in 1865, whereby Formosa and Chaco and the current Paraguay´s Chaco area extending up to Bahía Negra should remain within the Argentine territory upon the end of the war. When Argentina joined the War of the Triple Alliance, the native ethnic populations- formerly regarded as Asunción´s staunch enemies -paved the way to get into Paraguay´s territory. By means of a decree order signed by president Domingo Faustino Sarmiento on January 31,1972, the "Chaco Government - Municipalities " lying Northward of the Salado River, and the whole of the Boreal Chaco region was created, this region currently falling under Paraguay´s jurisdiction. Such decree order also created this governorship capital city known as "Villa Occidental" (formerly referred to as "Villa Argentina" and at present regarded as part of the Paraguayan territory under the name of "Villa Hayes").

A border treaty signed between Argentina and Paraguay in 1876 outlined both countries´ current bordering areas. As to the native indian populations, they were subdued between the 1883-1884 period.

During Juan Domingo Peron´s administration Formosa was, by operation of law, granted provincial status on June 15, 1955.

Economy
The major crops grown in Formosa include cotton, sorghum, corn, sunflower, rice, wheat, cassava, squash, pepper and soybean. The fruit horticultural sector primarily focuses on crops including sweet potatoes, onions, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, squash, garlic, cassava, black beans and fruit like bananas, watermelons, citrus fruits, mangoes, pineapples, avocados and limes.

Livestock breeding also comprises a customary practice promoted in this province, specially that of cattle breeding and cross breeding. With respect to the goat breeding activity, it is carried out in the provincial central-western region. As to buffaloe breeding, such an activity is currently performed in this province. Nowadays, the livestock adaptation process is undergoing its final stage, with excellent outcomes having been achieved.

This province as a whole stands as an ideal setting for beekeeping practices. As to honey production, it has recorded a significant growth given honey is a solely ecological product. Concerning the natural honey production level, it currently stands at 42,000 kg annually.

Silvistry comprises another growing activity carried out in this province, primarily involving woods such as red and white quebrachos, lapacho, guayaybí, espina corona and carob trees.

Wood, textiles and tannery sectors stand among the most saliently developed industries in this province. Some of the industries developed in this country comprise factories devoted to wooden, parquet, and tannine furniture manufacturing, sawmills, coal and wooden didactic toys manufacturing, picking systems, cotton spinning, rice drying and manufacturing, cassava starch manufacturing, corn grinding, dairy farming, cold cuts, and cold meat packing centres.