pampas

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Flat treeless plains in central Argentina, lying between the foothills of the Andes and the Atlantic coast, and stretching north from the Río Colorado to the Gran Chaco; area 750,000 sq km/290,000 sq mi; it incorporates the provinces of Buenos Aires, La Pampa, Santa Fé, and Cordobá. The eastern pampas consist of grasslands which support large cattle ranches and produce flax and over half the nation's output of grain; the western pampas are arid, unproductive, and sparsely populated. The characteristic vegetation is the pampas grass which grows to a height of 2–3 m/6–10 ft.

The pampas region is also home to a wide variety of bird life which includes herons, flamingos, spoonbills, rheas, and ovenbirds. In addition to the grasslands is a varied environment that includes native Caldén forests and salt lakes.

Red and white have been Austria's national colours for over 800 years. Effective date: 27 April 1984. >>