Welcome to the World      

      Search | Sitemap | Advertise |Text Version

Full country name: República Argentina
Area: 2,776,890 sq km (1,083,000 sq mi)
Population: 36,956,000
Capital city: Buenos Aires (pop 12 million)
People: 85% European descent, 15% mestizo, Indian and other minorities
Language: American Spanish, plus 17 indigenous languages
Religion: 93% Roman Catholic, 2.5% Protestant, 2% Jewish, 1.5% Ukranian Catholic, 1% Armenian Orthodox
Government: Republic
President: Fernando de la Rúa

GDP: US$374 billion
GDP per head: US$10,300
Inflation: 1%
Major industries: Food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel, agribusiness
Major trading partners: Brazil, USA, Netherlands, Germany, Italy

Events

Surprisingly, Argentina has few festivals and fiestas, and most public holidays reflect the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar. Things come to a stop over the Christmas to New Year and Easter periods. Saints' days and provincial holidays are other important events, as are 25 May (commemorating the May Revolution of 1810), Malvinas Day (10 June) and Columbus Day (12 October).

Traveling Guidelines

Visas: Most foreigners do not need visas and, in theory, are issued free, renewable 90-day tourist cards on arrival.
Health risks: Cholera and dengue fever are hazards in the subtropical north
Time: GMC/UTC minus 3 hours; Buenos Aires observes daylight-saving time
Electricity: 220V, 50Hz
Weights & measures: Mostly metric, but rural areas may use the legua (league, about 5 km).

Ideal time to visit

For residents of the northern hemisphere, Argentina offers the inviting possibility of enjoying two summers in the same year, but the country's great variety and elongated geography can make a visit in any season worthwhile. Buenos Aires' urban attractions, for example, transcend the seasons, but Patagonian destinations, such as the Moreno Glacier in Santa Cruz, are best to visit in the summer months (December to February). The Iguazu Falls in subtropical Misiones province are best in the southern hemisphere's winter or spring when heat and humidity are less oppressive. The winter months also offer the opportunity to go skiing.