ARGENTINA

ARGENTINA.

Tourism.
Valle de la Luna or Ischigualasto Park (San Juan).
First stamp in a set of 3, issued on 10.01.1977 [09.1977?].
Face value: 300 Argentine pesos ley.
Printed by Casa de Moneda, Buenos Aires.
Printing: Offset lithography.
Size: 34.5 x 45 mm.

Catalogs
- Cefiloza No. 1293.
- Götig & Jalil No. 1761-
- Michel No. 1288.
- Scott No. 1108.
- StampWorld No. 1312.
- Stanley Gibbons No. 1474.
- Yvert et Tellier No. 1075.

The Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) or Ischigualasto Provincial Park is located in the northeast of the Argentine province of San Juan and borders the province of La Rioja to the north. Its altitude with respect to sea level varies between 1,200 m (3,940 ft) and 1,800 m (5,900 ft). It is an area of 2,754 km² (1,063 sq mi), of great scientific importance, since it protects an important paleontological reserve. It is the only place in the world where the entire Triassic period can be seen uncovered and perfectly differentiated in a complete and orderly manner. The geological formations at this site are estimated to be between 200 and 250 million years old. The place is characterized by having little vegetation and the most varied range of colors in its soils. Being a preserved place (declared a Natural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, on November 29, 2000), visits are restricted and can only be done guided. Due to the large deposits rich in fossils in the Ischigualasto area, this place has attracted the interest of geologists and paleontologists since the 1930s. One of the most important pieces found in the area is the Eoraptor lunensis, a very primitive dinosaur discovered in 1991.

-
Thanks to Óscar Valencia for his contribution.