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Country Fact File : Argentina
Tronador Volcano Summit Attempt and Snow School in Patagonia
Despite Argentina's recent economic woes, its pleasures - stunning natural wonders, an elegant capital with a European-flavoured sophistication, and a passionate culture - are still as tempting as ever. The silver lining to the financial cloud is that it's now one of the best travel bargains going around. This is one Latin American country where Europeans and North Americans can feel at ease and travel relatively inconspicuously. An interest in soccer and some nimble foot skills may be all you need to feel like a local!
| Location | Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Chile and Uruguay |
| Area | 2,766,890 sq km |
| Border Countries | Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay |
| Climate | Mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest |
| Terrain | Rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border |
| Highest Point | Cerro Aconcagua 6,960 m (located in the northwestern corner of the province of Mendoza) |
| Natural Hazards | San Miguel de Tucuman and Mendoza areas in the Andes subject to earthquakes; pamperos are violent windstorms that can strike the pampas and northeast; heavy flooding |
| Environmental Issues | Environmental problems (urban and rural) typical of an industrializing economy such as deforestation, soil degradation, desertification, air pollution, and water pollution |
| Population | 39,537,943 (July 2005 est.) |
| Ethnic Groups | White (mostly Spanish and Italian) 97%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry), Amerindian, or other non-white groups 3% |
| Religions | Nominally Roman Catholic 92% (less than 20% practicing), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 4% |
| Languages | Spanish (official), English, Italian, German, French |
| Type of Government | Republic |
| Capital | Buenos Aires |
| Independence Day | 9 July 1816 (from Spain) |
| Chief of State/ Head of Government |
President Nestor KIRCHNER (since 25 May 2003) |
| Currency | Argentine peso (ARS) |
| Time | GMT -3 |
Did you know?
Argentina is the second largest country in South America, occupying most of the
southern portion of the continent
More than one third of the population lives in and around Buenos Aires
The highest peak, Aconcagua, rises to 22,831 feet above sea level
The Andes mountains, which border with Chile, are the second highest mountain range in the world
The literacy rate of about 95% is the highest in South America, and the country has 24 national universities and many state and private universities
Useful Numbers & Web Addresses
International dialing code: +54
Police tel: 101
Ambulance tel: 107
British Embassy: Dr Luis Agote 2412, (1425) Buenos Aires. Tel: (54) (11) 4808 2200 Switchboard.
Embassy in UK: 65 Brook Street, London W1K 4AH. Tel: (020) 7318 1300
1 888 653 6028
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