Argentina is a vast country. It ranks as the world's eighth largest state, immediately behind India. Thanks to its longitudinal position, standing between the Tropic of Cancer and the most southerly reaches of the planet's landmass, the country encompasses a staggering diversity of climates and landscapes.

The mainland points down like a massive stalactite on the map, from the hot and humid jungles of its northeast and the bone-dry highland steppes of its northwest down through windswept Patagonia to the end-of-the-world archipelago of Tierra del Fuego , a territory that is shared with Chile.

Across the broad midriff stretch Argentina's most archetypal landscapes: the mostly flat pampas grazed by millions of cattle - subtly beautiful scenery formed by horizon-to-horizon plains interspersed with low sierras, and punctuated by small agricultural towns, the odd ranch and countless clumps of pampas grass.

These wide open spaces are among the country's best assets - despite its mammoth area its population of 33 million weighs in at far less than Spain's. This is a land with huge swaths still waiting to be explored let alone settled.

So aside from the people, why visit Argentina? First, because the huge metropolis of Buenos Aires , home to two-fifths of the population, is one of the most exciting, charming and fascinating of all South American capitals.

It's an immensely enjoyable place just to wander about, stopping off for an espresso or an ice cream, or people-watching, or shopping, or simply soaking up the unique atmosphere.

Its many barrios, or neighbourhoods, are startlingly different, some decadently old-fashioned, others thrustingly modern, but all of them oozing character. Added to that, Buenos Aires is the country's gastronomic mecca and boasts a frenzied nightlife that makes it one of the world's great round-the-clock cities.

Elsewhere, cities aren't exactly the main draw, with the exception of beautiful Salta in the northwest, the beguiling river-port of Rosario - birthplace of Che Guevara - and Ushuaia which, in addition to being the world's most southerly city, happens to enjoy a fabulous setting on the evocatively named Tierra del Fuego.

Wildlife and adventure in the extensive outback are the real attractions outside of the capital. By hopping on a plane it's feasible to spot howler monkeys and toucans in their jungle habitat in the morning, and watch the antics of penguins tobogganing off dark rocks into the icy South Atlantic in the afternoon.

There are hundreds of bird species - including the majestic condor and three varieties of flamingo - plus pumas, armadillos, llamas, foxes and tapirs to be found in the country's forests, mountainsides and the dizzying heights of the altiplano or puna.

Lush tea-plantations and parched salt-flats, palm groves and icebergs, plus the world's mightiest waterfalls are just some of the sights that will catch you unawares if you were expecting Argentina to be one big cattle-ranch.

Furthermore, dozens of these vital biosystems are protected by a pioneering network of national and provincial parks and reserves , staffed by remarkably motivated rangers.