Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia is a geographical region of Argentina that encompasses the provinces of Misiones, Corrientes and Entre Ríos in the country's northeastern corner.

Its name is derived from the Greek word that means "between the rivers," as the region is situated between the Paraná River in the west and the Uruguay River in the east.

Mesopotamia is part of the Brazilian central plateau, and the entire region experiences high rainfall.

The northeast part of the region, Misiones province, consists of an extension of the Paraná Plateau and is covered in lush tropical rainforests. The spectacular Iguazú Falls are located in the northwest corner of the province on the Iguazú River. Misiones shares the falls with the Brazilian state of Paraná.

Corrientes and Entre Ríos provinces differ from Misiones in that their land surface consists of rolling grass-covered hills or mounds that rise from marshes and wooded lowlands.

Corrientes province is mainly plain, with the highest points in the east. To the west, a series of platforms descend to the Paraná River.

To the south of Corrientes, Entre Ríos Province is almost entirely flat. However, two central systems of low hills, called lomadas or cuchillas, are separated by the Gualeguay River.

Missionary Jungle

The "selva parananese" or Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest, which is part of the Atlantic Forest, stretches across the borders of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. Today, most of the remaining forest is found in the province of Misiones in northern Argentina. Here it is known as the Missionary Jungle.

The Missionary Jungle hosts one of the most biologically important ecosystems in the world, and it is also one of the most endangered rainforests.

The rainforest provides a habitat for an impressive variety of species. For example, approximately 450 tree varieties can be found in only one hectare.

The Missionary Jungle is a habitat for flora and fauna found nowhere else. Over 90% of all amphibians and 50% of plants in the forest are endemic.