Mendoza is not a flat out desert, but it is first cousin to one. Nestled at the foot of the Andes, Mendoza is arid and subject to earthquakes. The entire city was destroyed in 1861. Yesterday I took a walking tour of the New City, which is designed to minimize earthquake damage to people and property. Arches are a central feature in most structures as a place to seek shelter during a quake. So how can this desert city that has little rainfall support lush greenery?
Pebble lined canals flank the streets where enormous trees are planted. The water comes from snow run off from the city's close neighbor: the Andes mountains. My tour guide said the last winter was not cold enough to produce the needed snow melt and that the city was very worried.
Not only do trees line the streets, but there are five city parks, in a relatively small central business district, that are beautifully planted. My favorite of the parks is Plaza Espana, which celebrates Argentina's relationship with Spain. The sidewalks and benches are decorated in Spanish tiles:
