Located at the southern tip of South America, Argentina is the eighth largest country in the world, slightly smaller than India.
It is bordered by Chile on the west, Bolivia and Paraguay on the north, Brazil and Uruguay on the northeast, and the Atlantic Ocean on the east.
Home of the tango, fine wines, tender beef and the gaucho, Argentina has a rich cultural heritage.
Like many South American countries, its political history has been stormy but today it enjoys a stable democratic form of government.
Its capital, Buenos Aires, one of Latin America's most cosmopolitan cities, is called the Paris of South America for its elegant European ambiance and amenities. Its immense and varied geography make Argentina one of the most remote, isolated, sparsely populated and off-the-beaten track destinations on the planet, though more and more adventure travelers are discovering this fascinating country each year.
Argentina possesses some of the world's highest mountains, most expansive deserts and impressive waterfalls. Stretching 2,300 miles (3,000 km) from the Tropic of Capricorn to the Antarctic Polar circle, with 1,600 miles (2,500 km) of South Atlantic coastline and 2,500 miles (4,000 km) of Andes mountain range, Argentina offers many natural environments for a great variety of exciting adventures. English is not widely spoken in Argentina, but Argentines are friendly and helpful so the language barrier can usually be surmounted
 

OFFICIAL NAME

Argentine Republic

GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE

Democracy

PRESIDENT

Nestor Kirchner (2003)
Justicialist Party
Born in Patagonia, governor of Santa Cruz Province before being elected president
Law degree

POPULATION

38,747,000 (2005 est.)

CAPITAL

Buenos Aires
Population 16 Million

OTHER IMPORTANT CITIES (ranked by population)

Cordoba
Rosario
Mendoza
La Plata
San Miguel de Tucaman

ETHNICITY

European descent 85%
Indian, Meztiso and other minorities 15%

LANGUAGES

Spanish and many indigenous languages

LITERACY

97.2%

LIFE EXPECTANCY

Men 71.95
Women 79.65

RELIGION

Roman Catholic 93%
Protestant 2%
Other 5%

AREA

1,073,519 square miles excluding Falkland Islands and Antarctic claims

PROTECTED AREAS

National parks 29
National reserves 10
National monuments 6

NATIONAL FLOWER

Ceibo (Erythrina crista-galli)

NATIONAL BIRD

Rufous Hornero (of the genus Furnarius), known as Oven bird

NATIONAL ANIMAL

Puma

NATIONAL STONE

Rodocrosita, called Rose of the Inca

MAJOR INDUSTRIES

Food processing
Agribusiness
Manufacturing

MAJOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

Wheat
Soybeans
Corn
Rice
Wine grapes
Flax seed
Sugarcane

CUISINE

There are over 6,000 restaurants, cafes and bars in Buenos Aires alone. The country's vast agricultural regions, ranches and fishing areas make Argentina a diner's delight, especially when sampling its grilled meats and quality wines. The country's European influence is reflected in its menus. Beef fanciers should learn the word parilla, often included on a restaurant's sign to indicate that barbecued steak is a specialty. And then there's the platter o' beef, called the parrillada, a grilled specialty in the pampas that serves up a sampling of every part of the cow including the udder. Cazuelas consisting of meat, a variety of vegetables and sometimes fruit are popular stews. An Argentine nouvelle cuisine is emerging. Mate, a strong stimulating tea sipped from a distinctive seasoned gourd through a metal bombilla is the national convivial beverage.

CURRENCY

Peso (ARS)

TIME ZONE

Two hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time

INTERNATIONAL DIALING CODE

54

ELECTRICITY

220V, 50Hz

GETTING TO ARGENTINA

All airlines flying to Argentina arrive mainly at Ezeiza (“Ministro Pistarini”) International Airport, which is 37 Km away from the City of Buenos Aires. You can reach the city by Teniente General Ricchieri freeway (Information: Tel. 5480-6111). Please note that when leaving the country, a US$ 18 tax must be paid. Company Manuel Tienda León (Av. Madero and San Martín, Tel. 4315-5115) offers a bus service from 5.00 a.m. to 8.30 p.m.

WHEN TO TRAVEL

Remember that in the southern hemisphere seasons are the opposite to those in the northern hemisphere. In general, the summer is the best time to visit Patagonia and the Southern Andes because of the mild temperatures and long days. Wintertime is recommended for travelling to the North and Northwest as rains are less frequent and tropical temperatures drop a few degrees. Autumn and spring are marvelous in Buenos Aires, Cuyo and the pre-mountain range areas of La Rioja and Catamarca.

GETTING AROUND

By Plane

Due to the country’s large size, planes are best to travel long distances, and you can then take overland transportation to get to your final destination. Buying Airpass Visit Argentina in your own country, you’ll obtain more economical prices for flights within Argentina. Aerolíneas Argentinas / Austral, LADE and LAN Argentina operate domestic flights. Domestic flights and flights to Uruguay depart from Jorge Newbery Airport, located to the north of the city beside the Río de la Plata. Airport taxes range from $ 7.05 to U$S 8.

Domestic flights schedule from Buenos Aires to:

By Bus

Buenos Aires bus station is located at Av. Ramos Mejia 1680 close to Retiro Station (Tel. 4310-0700). Long-distance buses are equipped with toilets, air conditioning and bar.

Distances from Buenos Aires:

By Train

Ferrobaires (Constitución Station, Tel. 4304-0028/31/38); TBA (Retiro Station, Tel. 4317-4407/45); Ferrocentral (Retiro Station, Tel. 4312-2989); Trenes del Litoral (Federico Lacroze Station, Tel. 4554-8018).

By Car (Car rental)

All international car rental companies operate in Argentina. The following companies have offices In Buenos Aires: Ai Rent a Car International (Maipú 965, Tel. 4311-1000), ), Alamo Rent a Car - National (Carlos Pellegrini 1175, 1st Floor “C”, Tel. 4322-3320), Avis Rent a Car (Cerrito 1527, Tel. 4326-5542), Budget Rent a Car ((Marcelo T. de Alvear 590, 10th Floor, Tel. 4311-4555), Dollar Rent a Car (M.T. de Alvear 449, Tel. 4315-8800), Hertz - Annie Millet Rent a Car (Paraguay 1138, Tel. 4816-8001), Localiza Rent a Car (Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 1180, 2nd Floor, Off. 205 “C”, Tel. 4121-5600), Thrifty Car Rental (Carlos Pellegrini 1576, Loc.24, Tel. 4326-0418).

SHOPPING

VAT return

At the airport you may obtain a VAT reimbursement corresponding to any purchases made within the country for an amount over $70 (per invoice) and in shops operating with the “Global Refund” system.

Payment methods

Although US Dollars and Euros are generally taken everywhere, foreign currencies can be exchanged in banks and authorized bureaus. American Express, VISA, Diners and Master Card are widely accepted. There may be difficulties in changing traveler's check outside Buenos Aires.

Opening hours

Banks and Exchange Bureaus: Mondays to Fridays from 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.
Business Offices: generally from 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. and from 2.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Stores: in the big cities from 9.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m., although in the outskirts and the provinces they generally close at midday. Saturdays, from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
Cafés, cake shops and pizzerias: open most of the time except between 2.00 and 6.00 a.m.
Restaurants: lunch is served as from 12.30 p.m. and dinner as from 8.30 hours. Fast-food menus are served in many restaurants at all times.

Tips

10% of the amount of the check is usually left in cafeterias and restaurants. Doormen, porters, and ushers in cinemas and theatres are also generally tipped.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Documents and formalities

Valid passport with or without visa depending on your nationality. Inquire at the closest Embassy or Consulate. Visitors coming from countries not bordering Argentina are exempt from all taxes on travelling articles and new articles up to US$ 300 and an additional US$ 300, if purchased at duty free shops within the national territory. No vaccination certificate is required to enter the country.

Telephone

Pay phones work with cards that may be purchased in kiosks and telephone companies’ offices, or with legal tender coins. There are also stores with pay phones (open 24 hours a day) where you can pay in cash.
Calling to Argentina from abroad, dial the country code (54) and then the area code of the place you want to call. For domestic calls, dial 0 before the area code. For international calls, dial 00, the country code and city code.
Note that tariffs are reduced from 10.00 p.m. to 8.00 a.m.

Maps

Maps may be purchased at the offices of the Automóvil Club Argentino (Av. del Libertador 1850, Tel. 4808-4000, Buenos Aires, cartogra@aca.org.ar).

Tourist information

National Secretariat of Tourism, Tourist Information Centers: Av. Santa Fe 883, (C1059ABC) Buenos Aires, Tel. 4312-2232 or 0800-555-0016; Ezeiza International Airport and Jorge Newbery Airport; info@turismo.gov.ar.
Buenos Aires Information Centres: Av. Pte. Quintana 596 (Recoleta), Retiro Bus Station (Local 83), Florida 100. Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 200 (Dock 4, Puerto Madero), Defensa 1250 (San Telmo); infobue@buenosaires.gov.ar.

Security Prevention and Tourist Assistance:

Comisaría del Turista: Av. Corrientes 436, (C1043AAR) Buenos Aires. Tel. 4346-5748, 4328-2135 ó 0800-999-5000, e-mail: turista@policiafederal.gov.ar.
Defensoría del Turista: Av. Pedro de Mendoza 1835 (Museo de Bellas Artes de La Boca "Don Benito Quinquela Martín"), (C1169AAC) Buenos Aires. Tel. 4302-7816, Fax: 4302-7816, e-mail: turista@defensoria.org.ar.