Argentino Lake, Glacial lake in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina
Argentino Lake is a glacial lake in Santa Cruz Province fed by meltwater from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. The water displays a striking turquoise color and is surrounded by steep mountain slopes that descend directly to the shore.
The lake was discovered and named in 1877 by Francisco Moreno and Carlos Moyano after they confirmed it was separate from the neighboring Lake Viedma. This finding helped shape understanding of the region's glacial geography.
The Ice Festival takes place near Lake Argentino during July and August, featuring skating competitions, hockey matches, and ice sculpture displays.
Boat tours depart from Punta Bandera and allow close viewing of glaciers from the water. The nearby town of El Calafate offers various starting points for visits to the lake.
The water contains fine suspended particles from glacial grinding that create its distinctive coloration. This phenomenon makes the lake visually distinct from other alpine lakes in the region.
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