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Argentina boasts a variety of cultural attractions, but for many travelers, its natural wonders are the primary draw. From the northern deserts to the southern Andean Cordillera, from Iguazu Falls to the magnificent desolation of Patagonia, Argentina's geography is stunning offering lots of adventure activities. Buenos Aires is renowned for its sophistication offers great shopping, gastronomic experiences, and a nightlife that make it one of the world's great round-the-clock cities. |
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| GEOGRAPHY |
| Argentina, situated in South America, east of the Andes, is bordered by Chile to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil to the north and northeast.
There are four main geographical areas: the Andes, the North and Mesopotamia, the Pampas and Patagonia. The climate and geography of Argentina vary considerably, ranging from the great heat of the Chaco, through the pleasant climate of the central Pampas to the sub-Antarctic cold of the Patagonian Sea.
Mount Aconcagua soars almost 7000m (23,000ft) and waterfalls at Iguazu; stretch around a massive semi-circle, thundering 70m (230ft) to the bed of the Parana; River. The southwest is a small 'Switzerland' with a string of beautiful icy lakes framed by mountains.
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| MONEY EXCHANGE |
| Currency: Peso (P) = 100 centavos. Peso notes are in denominations of P100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2. Coins are in denominations of P1, and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 centavos.
Currency exchange: Banks and cambios are available in the major cities.
Credit cards: Diners Club, American Express and MasterCard are accepted. Check with your credit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services that may be available.
Travellers cheques: It is often difficult to exchange travellers cheques in smaller towns. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars. |
| PEOPLE |
POPULATION: 35,220,000 (official estimate 1996).
POPULATION DENSITY: 12.7 per sq km.
CAPITAL: Buenos Aires. Population: 2,960,976 (1991).
LANGUAGE: Spanish is the official language. English is widely spoken with some French and German.
RELIGION: 80% Roman Catholic, 7% Protestant with small Muslim and Jewish communities.
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| SHOPPING |
| Business Hours: Most business open at 8am, close for lunch from 1pm to 3 pm or 4pm, and reopen until 8 or 9pm in the evening. However, most government offices work from 8am - 5pm.
Argentine clothing is famous for leather goods: jackets, handbags, and shoes. Bariloche is especially well known for woolen goods. In the province of Salta, the distinctive Ponchos de Guemes are a memorable choice. The variety of handicrafts in artisans' ferias throughout the country is extensive. Buenos Aires has a superb selection of bookstores that provide both national and international literature. |
| TAX |
| Departure tax:
The departure tax is US$13 for all flights, except for flights to Montevideo (Uruguay) being US$5. Passengers in transit and children under two years of age are exempt of paying departure tax. |
| HOLIDAYS & FESTIVITIES |
| Jan |
1 |
New Year's Day |
| Apr |
Varies |
Maundy Thursday |
| Varies |
Good Friday |
| Varies |
Easter Monday |
| May |
1 |
Labour Day |
| 25 |
National Day |
| Jun |
10 |
Celebrate sovereignty over the Malvinas |
| Jul |
9 |
Independence Day |
| Aug |
18 |
Death of General San Martin |
| Oct |
9 |
Day of the Americas |
| Dec |
8 |
Immaculate Conception |
| 25 |
Christmas |
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| COUNTRY ORIENTATION |
No tourist visa required for U.S. citizens. Enter the country with only a valid passport for a period up to 90 days.
Yellow Fever Vaccination highly recommended for all Travelers to Argentina?s Northern Area: Iguazu, Salta and Jujuy.
The North
To the northwest of the capital lie the most ancient cities of the country. Cordoba is particularly interesting for its architecture and sceneray, Salta for its colonial cathedral containing a gold altar. Tucuman, the 'Garden of Argentina', for its landscape of great natural beauty. In Tucuman, the squares of the city are planted with palm and orange trees and it has some of the finest colonial churches in the country. One of the most famous sights of Argentina are the Iguazu; Falls in the northeast of the country, on the border with Brazil and Paraguay, around which a vast tourist industry has been built.
Coastal resorts
One of the most popular resorts on the Atlantic coast, with several kilometres of fine beaches, is Mar del Plata. Others include Villa Gezell, Pinamar, Miramar and Necochea (which reputedly has the largest casino in the world). New resorts are constantly springing up along this stretch of coastline. Most can offer deep-sea fishing and other watersports. Bahia Blanca, the largest southern city, is mainly commercial but it is also the gateway to the fascinating lakeland around Bariloche.
The Andean
This region has many national parks with abundant wildlife, as well as opportunities for shooting and fishing. Skiing is available at Cerro Chapelco Tronador in San Martin de los Andes, Cerro Bayo in Villa la Angostura and Caviahue, all in Neuquen province. The foothills of the Andes, west of the capital, are noted for their vineyards. The Andes contain many spectacular natural features, including Mount Aconcagua, one of the highest in the Western hemisphere.
Patagonia Region
This vast region south of Buenos Aires begins at the Rio Colorado and stretches to the Straits of Magellan. It encompasses interior mountains and glaciers in the provinces of Rio Negro and Neuquen; sandy beaches on its Atlantic coast, and forests of beechwood and monkey puzzle trees where it meets the Andes. The beauty of Patagonia has been preserved in several national parks.
Peninsula Valdes
Peninsula Valdes is home to large numbers of sea lions, elephant seals, guanacos, rheas, Magellanic penguins and numerous other sea birds. Whale sightings occur more often in August but have also been reported through December. Sheep ranches occupy much of the interior section.
Ushuaia
Few relics remain testifying to life at this former missionary base and subsequent Argentinean prison. It became a key military base in 1950 and is now a major vacation destination. Forestry and fishing are the chief occupations of its inhabitant.
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| WEATHER |
| Climates range from hot and humid in the north to cold and rainy in the south. In northern Argentina, summer days will be in the 90s F/33-37 C and nights in the 70s F/23-27 C (winter highs in the 60s F/15-22 C and lows in the 40s F/5-10 C). Tierra del Fuego, at the southern tip of Argentina, is almost always cold and/or rainy, with summer highs in the 50s-60s F/10-21 C and temperatures well below freezing in the winter. Generally, the best time to go is October-April (remember that the seasons are reversed from the Northern Hemisphere). To lie on the beach, go December-March; to ski, go July-October. |
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Latin America, Mexico, Caribbean and Europe 
