Which landscapes are found in Argentina’s Pampas region?

The Pampas, a name derived from a Quechua term meaning "flat plain," is a vast region in central Argentina characterized primarily by its expansive, level terrain. The landscape is composed of thick deposits of loess, occasionally interrupted by alluvium and volcanic ash.123

The region is divided into two distinct zones with varying landscapes:

• The Humid Pampa (East): This area is temperate, well-watered, and serves as the nation's economic heart. It is largely flat, though it features some swampy land in the southeast between Mar del Plata and Tandil.3
• The Dry Pampa (West): This zone is largely barren, featuring sandy deserts, great saline areas, and brackish streams.3

While the region is generally flat, the landscape rises gradually in the south to meet the foothills of sierras formed from old sediments and crystalline rocks. Additionally, there are a few scattered sierras in the northwest.23