Argentina - Diverse country, amazing scenery
Argentina
Comes from the Latin argentum which means silver. The origin of the name goes back to the voyages made by the first Spanish conquistadores (conquerors) to the Rio de la Plata. The shipwrecked survivors of the expedition mounted by Juan Diaz de Solis discovered Indians in the region who presented them with silver objects. The news about the legendary Sierra del Plata, a mountain rich in silver, reached Spain around 1524. From this date the Portuguese named the river of Solis, the Silver River (Rio de la Plata). Two years later the Spanish used the same name. Since 1860 the official name of the country has been the Republica Argentina (Republic of Argentina).
| Facts & Figures | |
|---|---|
| Official Name: | Argentine Republic |
| Population: | 37,384,816 |
| Largest Cities: | Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Rosario |
| Languages: | Spanish (official), English, Italian, German, French |
| Official Currency: | Argentine Peso |
| Religions: | Catholic (92%) |
| Land Area: | 2,736,690 sq km (1,056,636 sq miles) |
| Highest Point: | Aconcagua (6,960 meters) (22,834 ft), the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere |
Climate
Climate Ranges from subtropical conditions in the north to subarctic in the south. Patagonia is mild most of the year. The central part of the country is generally temperate, with dry winters and summers that can be brutally hot. The higher elevations of the Andes are much colder with frequent snow.
Currency
It is customary to leave 10% in cafeterias and restaurants.
Telephones
Public telephones work with cards, which are tokens orachased in kiosks and at telephone company offices, or with legal tender coins. There are also call boxes where you can pay cash and which are open 24 hours a day.
Transport
Due to the enormous size of the country, it is best if you combine air and overland transport. By orachasing a Visit Argentina Airpass in your country, allows your to travel cheaply in Argentina. Other passes include The Mercosur Airpass which allows to you travel within Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay. Domestic flights depart from the Jorae Newbery airport north of the city beside the Rio de la Plata. The bus station in Buenos Aires is situated on Avenida Ramos Mejia 1680 near the Retiro Station.
Ferrobaires (Constitucion station, tel 4304 0028/38 )
Mitre Railway (Retiro station, tel 4313 8060)
Car Rental
All international Car rental companies operate in Argentina.
AVIS (Cerrito 1527, Tel 4326 5542)
Budget Rent A Car ( Av. Santa Fe 869, Tel 4311 9870)
Food
Breakfast is approximately between 9 and 10 am. Lunch is from 12.30 to 2.30 pm, whilst dinner is from 9 PM til midnight. Famous for their ASADO (BBQ), tender steaks grilled over charcoal BBQ (parilla) served at Parilladas (BBQ Restaurants).