Entre Ríos
province is located to the south of Corrientes province on the Paraná
River. The name of this province means "between rivers" and is due
to its geographical position between the Paraná, Uruguay,
Guayquiraró and Mocoretá rivers as well as by the
Basualdo and Tunas streams. It has picturesque landscapes ideal
for the practice of all the aquatic sports. About 1,000,000 hectares
are covered with forests and only 10 % of them are artificially
cultivated. This is one of the few Argentine provinces that preserves
its original fauna including vizcachas, armadillos and foxes.
The most important tourist centers of the province
are located on the banks of the Paraná River; the following
are the most important among them from north to south: Paraná,
capital of the province; Diamante, an important
center for the practice of aquatic sports; Victoria,
called the city of the seven hills; and Gualeguay.
On the Uruguay River, the coast
is completely different. The soft undulations of the colorful land
with its fine sand beaches and a great amount of birds stand out.
A road that runs parallel to the coast of the Uruguay River links
the main urban and tourist centers. Concordia,
called the "Capital of the Citrus", is the most important town of
this coast. Large orange and grape plantations surround it, and
it has numerous beaches, campsites and sporting clubs. Another important
center on the Uruguay is the beautiful, colonial city of Colón.
Between both cities stand El Palmar National
Park. Its 8,500 hectares (33 sq miles) protect the last
habitat of the once abundant Yatay forest. The Yatay is an endangered
palm tree due whose decline has been largely caused by the malevolent
grazing of cows. The Park is a place of crystal clear streams and
soft soil covered with ferns and palm trees, some of which are over
800 years old. Scientific excavations have produced numerous fossilized
specimens.
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