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Claiming to have some of the best beaches in all of Argentina, the Atlantic coast seaside resort city of Mar del Plata is Argentina’s largest and most famous beach resort. Recognized for its beaches, Mar del Plata is also renowned for its nightlife, casinos and as one of Argentina’s major ports.
Argentina’s 7th largest city, Mar del Plata located in the Province of Buenos Aires has a year round population of almost 600,000 people. Almost 7 million tourists visit the city during the year. Situated on Argentina’s north Atlantic coast, Mar del Plata is quite a modern city with a historical history. Once a playground for Argentina’s rich and famous, this beach side city is 230 mile southeast of Buenos Aires. Today modern resorts can be found amongst the many mansions built during the peak of Mar del Plata. The beautiful waterfront is lined with parks, gardens and modern high rises.
Called Mardel by the locals, Mar del Plata saw its first Europeans in the late 16th century, first spotted by the English Privateer Sir Frances Drake and later by Don Juan de Gary the then Spanish governor of Asuncion.
It was not till the late 19th century that the city gained its place on the map. Construction of the first railway line between Mar del Plata and Buenos Aires brought about new hotels, shortly thereafter to follow were the elite of Buenos Aires society. Soon the city took on the look and feel of a French style resort.
As with most seaside cities, Mar del Plata has a high season and low season. Escaping the high temperatures of summer, the people of Buenos Aires and throughout Argentina flock to the sea during the months of December through May. Foreign travelers tend to find a visit to Mar del Plata more enjoyable when the local tourist leave in late May or before they arrive in October and November. January in Mar del Plata is home to two large fiestas, Fiesta Nacional del Mar (Sea Festivity) and Fiesta Nacional los Pescadores (National Festival of Fisherman).
Beaches with windswept dunes and spectacular cliffs, clean air and sunshine will keep you busy during the day, while night time will bring a colorful array of restaurants, bars, discos and nightclubs attracting the Jet Set and Latin party goers.
Mar del Plata leading economy activity is based on tourism, with its many hotels, restaurants bars and casinos the cities port is also important to the area for the fishing industry as well as cargo moving inland throughout Argentina.
Mar del Mar climate runs from almost one end of the weather spectrum to the other. January and summer months bring average temperatures in the high 60’s to low 70’s. July and winter months will see a average temperature in the mid 40’s. Argentina’s south Atlantic coast region is considered oceanic climate. Winds from Antarctica are not uncommon with the area seeing temperatures dropping into the low 30’s with frost and snow not unusual yet rare.
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