:: The name “Argentina”
 |
The name Argentina precedes
from the latin expression “argentum” that
means silver. The origin of this denomination remounts
to the first Spanish conqueror’s trip to the River
Plate. In the region, the wrecked people of Juan de Solis
expedition found indians who gave them silver objects
and sent to Spain, by 1524, the news of the existence
of the legendary Sierra del Plata, a mountain rich in
precious metals. Since that date portuguese conquerors
called Solis river, River Plate (Río de La Plata).
Two years after, the spaniards also used that denomination.
Since 1860 the name República Argentina is the
official denomination of the country.
|
:: Geography
 |
Argentina is the eighth
largest country in the world, with a total land area of
3,761,274 sq. km, covering a wide variety of climates
and scenery. The main feature of the argentine relief
is the enormous contrast the immense oriental plains offer,
and the amazing Andes Range to the west.
It borders with Chile and has the highest peak of the
occidental hemisphere: the Aconcagua of 6.959 mts.
-----»
Northwest
-----» Northeast-Mesopotamia
-----» Cuyo
-----» Center–
Buenos Aires
-----» Andean
Patagonia
-----» Atlantic
Patagonia
|
:: Climate
 |
Argentina´s
average temperature in summer (December through March)
is 23ºC and in winter (June through September) is
12ºC.
|
:: Language
 |
The oficial language in
Argentina is Spanish. Nevertheless, English, French and
Italian are widely understood an spoken, due to the historic
incidence of the immigrants coming from Europe. |
:: Population
 |
The actual population of
Argentina is 36,124,931 inhabitants, half of them almost
live in Capital Federal and the province of Buenos Aires.
The 95% of argentine people are white, principally
descendants of Italian and Spaniards. The pure Indian
population, mapuches, collas, tobas, matacos and chiriguanos
represent the 0,5% of the inhabitants.
|
:: Religion
 |
In Argentina exists a total
freedom of cult , although the official religion is Catholic.
Other cults are practiced, such as Protestantism, Judaism,
Islam, greek orthodox religion, russian orthodox and others.
|
:: Currency
 |
The peso is Argentina´s
unit of currency
Exchange: In the last 10 years, the peso had a one
to one parity with Us dollar. Since December 2001, the
argentine currency is affected by a devaluation.
Notes: These notes are the only pesos in circulation.
They all have the same size and the face of an argentine
leader.
Since December 2001 exist other notes (Patacones, Lecops,
etc) that are used to be accepted in almost all shops.
However, it is custom to receive change in the same
currency you pay.
Coins in circulation: $1 coins are bimetal, golden
and silvered. $0.50 are golden.
$0.25, $0.10 y $0.05 can be both golden or silvered.
$0.01 are copper colored.
Banks and Exchange are open monday to friday from 10
to 15 hs.
|
:: Government and Constitution
 |
The country is organized
as a federal democratic and representative republic with
23 provinces and Capital Federal, Buenos Aires autonomous
city . Its organization system recognizes three powers:
Executive, Legislative and Judicial.
The actual constitution dates from 1853. However it
has been reformed in many occasions. The last one, of
august 1994, allows the re-election of the president
for one period.
|
:: Two Historical Dates
 |
May 25th, 1810: It was
constituted the first meeting of native Government.
July 9th, 1816: Proclamation of independence of the United
Provinces Of the River Plate (Provincias Unidas del Río
de La Plata). Birth of the argentine republic |
:: Symbols
 |
The argentine flag has
three horizontal fringes: a white central with a golden
sun and two external,
The national flower is the ceibo and the national stone,
the rodocrosite or “Inca’s rose”. |
:: Electricity
 |
The electrical current
in Argentina is 220/240 volts, 50 cycles AC. |
:: Time of Argentina
 |
Argentina is three hours
behind UTC |
:: Food
 |
Beef and good wines have
made Argentina famous. Local specialties are varied and
tasty. international cuisine-Italian, Spanish, French,
German, Swiss, English, Chilean, Arab, Jewish, Scandinavian,
Greek, etc.- is present. In restaurants and cafeterias
a 5-10% tip is customary, so as to porters, bellboys and
spectacle ushers, |
:: Purchases and commercial hours
 |
Most shops are located
in the central district of cities. Numerous shopping centers
have recently sprung up in Buenos Aires and other major
cities. Top quality products such as leather clothing,
woolen garments and signature fashion can be purchased
in shopping centers and specific shops.
Furs are also worthy of mention, as are handicrafts
and antiques.
Although the dollar is generally accepted, the currency
exchange is fulllfilled in banks and authorized Exchange
houses. The most accepted credit cards are Amex, Visa,
Diners and Master Card. There could be difficulties
in exchanging travellers cheques out of Buenos Aires.
The usual business hours in large city shops are 9
a.m. to 7.30 p.m. (9 a.m. to about 1 p.m. on Saturdays),
although some shops often close at noon and then remain
open later in the evening. Since opening hours are not
obligatory, many establishments are open on Saturday
evening an Sundays. Also, there are shops open 24 hs.
|
:: VAT return
 |
Argentina offers all
visitors a total refund of Value-Added Tax (IVA) upon
the totality of the goods
|
::Culture and Sports
 |
Cinema, theater, fine
arts, music and literature are present with outstanding
representatives. The Colón Theater is among the
three best of its kind in the world. In the field of sports,
soccer is one of the national passions, and Argentine
polo and rugby players are regarded as among the best
in the world. |
:: Car rental and taxis
 |
Major international
rental agencies have offices in principal cities and
airports throughout the country, and all cities have
taxi services. Payment is made upon completing a ride
and the fare is indicated on the meter, if it wasn’t
previously agreed one.
|
:: Communications
 |
Argentina is linked
to the world´s major cities by direct flights.
Ministro Pistarini International Airport (Ezeiza) is
about 35 kilometres from the city of buenos aires. National
flights operate from Jorge Newbery airport, in Buenos
Aires, with intense traffic to provincial capitals and
the most important tourist centers of the country.
|
For further information check:
:::: Secretaría
de Turismo de la Nación | www.turismo.gov.ar
Source: Secretaría
de Turismo de la Nación - ARGENTINA |
