|
|
 |
|
Level 1, 178 Collins Street
Melbourne, 3000, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
Ph: 61 3 9654 7977, Fax: 61 3
9650 8177
Licence: 32408 ABN: 26095434978
|
email: info@southamericatourism.com
Reservations:
1300 857 805
|
|
|
|
| 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 Río de la Plata. The shipwrecked
survivors of the expedition mounted by Juan Díaz de
Solís 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 Solís, the Silver River
(Río de la Plata). Two years later the Spanish used the same
name. Since 1860 the official name of the country has been the
República 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.
|
 |
|
|
Tours in Argentina. |
|
|
|
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).
|
|
|
|
|
