It comes from the Latin term “argentum”, which means silver. The origin of this name goes back to the first voyages made by the Spanish conquerors to the Río de la Plata. The survivors of the shipwrecked expedition mounted by Juan Díaz de Solís found indigenous people in the region who gave them silver objects as presents. The news about the legendary Sierra del Plata - a mountain rich in silver - reached Spain around 1524. As from this date, the Portuguese named the river of Solís, Río de la Plata (River of Silver). Two years later, the Spanish used the same name. The National Constitution adopted in 1853 included the name “República Argentina” (Argentine Republic) among the official names of the government and the country’s territory

Located in South America, and thus, in the southern hemisphere, Argentina has almost 3.8 million square kilometers, 2.8 on the continent – approximately 54% are plains (grasslands and savannahs), 23% are plateaus, and the other 23% are mountains - and the remainder is in the Antarctic continent. It is 3,800 km. long and is located between latitude 22º and 55º south. The neighboring countries are Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and Chile and has a coastal line on the Atlantic Ocean of 4,725 km.

Argentina’s main characteristic is the enormous contrast between the immense eastern plains and the impressive Andes mountain range to the west. This is the frontier with Chile and boasts the highest peak in the Western hemisphere: the 6,959 m high Aconcagua.
From Jujuy to Tierra del Fuego, the Andes range present marvelous contrasts: the Northwest high plateaus are deserts with colorful mountains and snow capped volcanoes while the Patagonia includes the lake region, the forests and glaciers.

To the north, Chaco is a forested area linked to rivers Bermejo, Salado and Pilcomayo.
Between the Paraná and Uruguay rivers, the Argentine Mesopotamia (provinces of Entre Ríos, Corrientes and Misiones) is formed by low hills, where ponds and marshlands evidence the ancient courses of these great rivers. In some places within the subtropical rain forest, there are fissures which provide such spectacular phenomena as the Iguazú Falls.

The Pampas, in the center of Argentina, is the largest and best-known area of plains. Agricultural and livestock activities are performed in this area, which includes the province of Buenos Aires, the northeast of La Pampa, the south of Córdoba and south of Santa Fe. To the south, the plains give way to small hills in Tandil and Sierra de la Ventana, and to the west, to the Córdoba hills.

Towards the south, from the Andes to the sea, there appear the sterile and stony plateaus of Patagonia, swept by the wind during most of the year. The Atlantic coast, lined with high cliffs, forms massive indentations like the Peninsula Valdés, with its spectacular and unique colonies of sea animals (whales, orcas, sea elephants and lions and endless colonies of penguins)

The country’s territory offers a wide variety of climates: subtropical in the North, sub-Antarctic in the southern Patagonia, and mild and humid in the Pampas plains. Media temperature from November to March is 23° C (73 °F), and 12° C (54 °F) from June to September.

Argentina’s current population is more than 36 million inhabitants, almost half of which live in the city and the province of Buenos Aires. Population density calculated on a national basis is 13 inhabitants per square kilometer.
95% of the population is white and most are descendants of Italians and Spaniards. As a result of the massive European immigration, the white and Indian half-castes were slowly reduced and at the present they amount only to 4.5% of the population. The pure indigenous population - Mapuches, Collas, Tobas, Matacos and Chiriguanos - amount to 0.5% of the population.

Spanish is the official language of the Argentine Republic. In Buenos Aires, some “lunfardo” expressions -city slang - are used.

There is absolute religious freedom in Argentina, although the official religion is Roman Catholic. Other religions practiced in the country are Protestant, Jewish, Moslem, Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox and others 

There are plenty of possibilities from which to choose to have a grasp of the culture of the country: Theatres, cinemas, art exhibitions, opera, ballet, tango, etc. This is headquartered in Buenos Aires, also known as the Paris of South America. The Colon Theatre is considered among the best opera houses in the world.
There is a very important musical heritage in Argentina in two basic branches. The Tango, born in the immigrant populated outskirts of Buenos Aires in the late 19th century. It is now worldwide known for its music and glamorous dance.
The other branch is the folklore in different regional styles, like the zamba from Salta or the chacarera from Santiago del Estero, among others

Argentina is well known for the high level of education of its people. Several Nobel prizes are testimony of that.
The 96% of the Argentineans are literate. Education is free and compulsory for children between five and sixteen years old. Argentina has 25 national universities, and several provincial and private ones. The Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA) was founded in 1821 and is the largest institution of higher education in the country.

The country is a representative federal and democratic republic with Buenos Aires as the Federal Capital and 23 provinces. There are three authorities: the executive, the legislative and the judicial. The first is exercised by the President of the Nation, elected for a term of four years. He has ample powers, including the power of approving or vetoing decisions by Congress. The National Congress has two chambers. The Chamber of Deputies has 254 directly elected members. The Senate has 72 members elected by provincial jurisdictions, three per province and three for the Federal Capital. The provinces and the city of Buenos Aires are autonomous and elect their own officials; the Governors and the Chief of Government are the ultimate authorities.
The current Constitution dates back from 1853. Nevertheless, it has undergone changes on various occasions; the last time was in August 1994, which allowed the re-election of the President of the Nation for only one term.

The official Argentine currency is the Peso. There are bills of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 pesos, and coins of 1 peso and 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents

The electrical current in Argentina is alternate, 220 volts, 50 cycles. Lamp fittings are of the screw-type. Plug fittings in the new buildings are of the 3-pin flat type, but older buildings still use the 2-pin round type.

Argentina is three hours behind GMT. Travelers coming from the United States don't suffer jet lag.

Argentina is renowned for its beef. A favorite cut is the "bife de chorizo", served tender and juicy, but all cuts are of very high quality. Roasted over charcoal or wood, we also find "chorizo" (pork sausage), "molleja" (gizzard), "chinchulines" (tripe), riñones (kidneys) and "tripa gorda" (large intestine). Among the more regional foods are "empanadas" and "locro criollo". "Empanadas" are pastries filled with minced meat, chicken, corn, or vegetables; different Argentine provinces have their own special recipes for "empanadas". The "locro criollo" is a stew made with cow meat, potatoes and corn.
Wines are excellent and come from Mendoza and Salta. They are exported all over. The highlighted varieties of Argentina are Malbec in red wines and Torrontés in whites. They are considered best in class.

Sports are loved by Argentines and a vast majority practice one or more.
The most widespread and a great passion of many Argentines is soccer. Winner of two world cups and breeder of world stars. The best known clubs are River Plate, Boca Juniors, Independiente, Racing Club and San Lorenzo.
Polo has reached international status owing to the skill of its players, who are the best in the world.
The national sport is Pato; lit. duck - (a mixture of polo and basketball on horse) it is the most genuine sport of the country. An ancient sport rarely practiced. It consists of disputing a dead duck wrapped in leather.
Other sports include tennis, field and roller hockey, rugby, skiing, snowboarding, volleyball and basketball.

The National Park Administration has the responsibility of protecting and conserving 35 Parks, Reserves and Natural Monuments. Each one of them represents a natural region of Argentina. The tourists who visit them can enjoy all kind of activities of low environmental impact. The most representatives, known worldwide are: Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi, Los Alerces, Lanín, El Palmar, Tierra del Fuego, Iguazú, Los Glaciares and Talampaya.  

May 25, 1810. The first "Gobierno Patrio" or National Government Assembly was constituted.
July 9, 1816. Independence day by the “Provincias Unidas del Río de la Plata”.

The Argentine flag has three horizontal stripes: the middle one is white and bears the golden sun, and the two on the outside are sky blue. The national flower is the ceibo, and the national stone is the manganese spar (rodocrosita) or "Inca Rose". 

All airlines flying to Argentina arrive at Ministro Pistarini (Ezeiza) International Airport, which is 35 Km away from the City of Buenos Aires.
At the airport you can take a bus or a cab downtown. The trip takes approximately 40 minutes.

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.
Aerolíneas Argentinas, Austral, American Falcon and Southern Winds, fly domestic. Domestic flights and to Uruguay leave from Jorge Newbery Airport, located to the north of the city by the Río de la Plata.

Flight times from Buenos Aires:

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.

By Train
Ferrobaires (Constitución Station, Tel. 4304-0028/31/38); TBA (Retiro Station, Tel. 4312-2091/2/3/4); NOA Ferrocarriles S.A. (Retiro Station, Tel. 4893-2244); Ferro Expreso Pampeano (Once Station, Tel. 4331-2702); Urquiza Railway (Federico Lacroze Station, tel. 4553-0044).

VAT return
At the airport you may obtain a VAT reimbursement corresponding to any purchases made within the country over certain amount (per invoice) in shops operating with the “Global Refund” system. (tel: 4342-2413)

Payment methods
Although US Dollars are generally taken anywhere, 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 large cities from 9.00 A.M. to 8.00 P.M., although in the outskirts and the provinces they generally close at noon. Saturdays, from 9.00 A.M. to 1.00 P.M.
Cafés, bakeries 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 P.M. 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.