Argentina

From MaxTravelz

Argentina (official name Argentine Republic) is a large, elongated country in the southern part of South America, neighbouring countries being Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay to the north, Uruguay to the north east and Chile to the west. In the east Argentina has a long South Atlantic Ocean coastline.

Contents 1 Regions 2 Cities 3 Other destinations 4 Understand 4.1 Climate 4.2 Terrain 4.3 History 4.4 Language 4.5 Time 4.6 Electricity 5 Get in 5.1 By plane 5.2 By train 5.3 By car 5.4 By bus 5.5 By boat 6 Get around 6.1 By train 6.2 By plane 6.3 By bus 6.4 By car 6.5 By thumb 7 Buy 8 Eat 9 Drink 10 Sleep 11 Learn 12 Sports 12.1 Most famous soccer teams 13 Work 14 Stay safe 14.1 Emergency numbers 15 Stay healthy 16 Respect 17 Contact 17.1 By phone

Regions

The National Presidential Office and the National Census Agency uses several regions to perform statics tasks; according to this, the most visited are:

• Andean Northwest
• Chaco
• Cuyo
• Mesopotamia
• Pampa
• Patagonia
• Province of Tierra del Fuego

Note: The Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) are claimed by Argentina but administered by the United Kingdom.

Cities

The largest cities are:

• Buenos Aires, usually called Capital Federal to distinguish it from the province of Buenos Aires; its full official name is Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires. Inhabitants of Buenos Aires are called porteños, "people from the port".
• Córdoba, second largest.
• La Plata
• Mendoza, fourth largest, well known for its extensive and high quality wine production.
• Rosario, third largest city.

There are also a lot of medium-sized harbor towns, like

• Bahía Blanca
• Comodoro Rivadavia
• Concepción del Uruguay
• Mar del Plata
• Necochea
• Río Gallegos
• Salta
• Santa Fe
• Tucuman
• Ushuaia.

More information is available at the Buenos Aires official tourism website.

Other destinations

According to the National Tourism Agency, the favourite places outside the important cities are:

• The awesome Iguazú Falls, right in the north-east corner of the country.
• The Andean Lake, around the city of Bariloche.
• The beautiful Mar del Plata, world-wide called The Pearl of the Atlantic.
• El Calafate, the main destination when visiting the Glaciers National Park.
• The Perito Moreno Glacier, really a must when visiting Argentina.

Many ski centers operate in the Andes during the winter; Las Leñas and San Carlos de Bariloche are particularly well-known. There are many nature preserves around Puerto Madryn and Peninsula Valdes where one can see wild penguins, sea lions, birds, and whales at certain times of the year.

Understand

Argentina is the second-largest country in South America, and the eighth-largest in the world. It is also the highest and the lowest of the continent; at 6.960m Cerro Aconcagua is the South America's tallest mountain, while Salinas Chicas, at 40m below sea level, is the lowest point.

At the southern tip of Argentina there are several routes between the South Atlantic and the South Pacific Oceans including the Strait of Magellan, the Beagle Channel, and the Drake Passage as an alternative sailing around Cape Horn in the open ocean between South America and Antarctica.

Climate

Buenos Aires and the Pampas are temperate; cool in the winter, hot and humid in the summer.

The deserts of Cuyo are extremely hot and dry in the summer and moderately cold and dry in the winter. Spring and fall often exhibit rapid temperature reversals; several days of extremely hot weather may be followed by several days of cold weather, then back to extremely hot.

Patagonia is cool in the summer and cold in the winter. Extreme temperature shifts within a single day are even more common here; pack a variety of clothes and dress in layers.

Don't forget that seasons are reversed from those of the Northern Hemisphere.

Terrain

The central region of Argentina is mostly the rich plain known as the Pampa. There is jungle in the extreme northern areas, specially on the east. The southern half of Argentina is dominated by the flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia. The western border with Chile is along the rugged Andes mountains, including the Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas. The western Cuyo regions at the base of the Andes are mostly rocky desert.

History

Following independence from Spain in 1816, Argentina experienced periods of internal political conflict between conservatives and liberals. In the first decade of the 20th century, Argentina became the richest nation in Latin America, its wealth symbolized by the opulence of its capital city.

European immigrants flowed into Argentina, particularly from Italy; by 1914 nearly 6 million people had come to the country.

After World War II, a long period of Peronist rule in subsequent governments was followed by a military junta that took power in 1976.

Democracy returned in 1983 after the abortive attempt to wrest the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) from United Kingdom sovereignity.

A painful economic collapse at the turn of the 21st century devalued the Argentine peso by a factor of three and ushered in a series of weak, short-lived governments along with social and economic instability. As of 2006, the country has stabilized under President Nestor Kirchner, and the economy has begun to recover.

Language

The official language is Spanish. The regional dialect, Rioplatense Spanish, is subtly different from both the language of Spain and that of Central America; most notably, the pronoun "tu" is replaced by "vos" (with seperate verb conjugations, sometimes significantly different for irregular verbs); "y" and "ll" are pronounced ranging from an English "sh" (in Buenos Aires and Patagonia) through a soft "zh" sound, to a sound like English "j" in Cuyo. The interjection "che" is extremely common, and means approximately the same as English "hey!" or "well..."

The Argentine accent evinces heavy Italian influence from the large influx of Italian immigrants. Hand gestures derived from Italian are extremely common, and many slang expressions are borrowed from Italian. Most locals can readily understand most Spanish dialects, and Portugese or Italian if spoken slowly. English is common as a second language and is usually understood on at least a basic level in tourist-oriented places. German and French can be understood and to some extent spoken by small fractions of the population. A few places in Patagonia near Rawson have native Welsh speakers.

The official tourism website of Argentina is also a useful source of information about the country.

Time

Argentinians generally take a very relaxed attitude towards time. This can be unsettling to visitors from North America and non-Latin parts of Europe where puncutality is highly valued. You should expect that your Argentine contacts will be at least 10 to 15 minutes late for any appointment, even to a business meeting. Tardiness of 30 to 45 minutes is not unusual. This is considered normal in Argentina and does not signify any lack of respect for the relationship.

This attitude extends to any scheduled activity in Argentina. Plays, concerts, and long distance buses usually get going around half an hour after their scheduled times (though you should be there early anyway, in case your bus is the one bus that does leave on time that day.) Short-distance public transportation like city buses and the subway do not even bother with time estimates; they arrive when they arrive. Factor these elements into your calculations of how long things will take.

Electricity

Argentine electricity is officially 220V 50Hz, with slanted plugs similar to those used in Australia. Adapters and transformers for European and North American equipment are readily available.

The best way to use imported electrical equipment in Argentina is to purchase an adapter once there. These are available in the Florida shopping area in Buenos Aires for around US$2, or less in hardware stores outside the city center. Buildings use a mix of European and Australian plug fittings. However, the live and neutral pins in the Australian fittings are reversed so as to prevent cheap imports into Australia. Therefore an Australian adapter may be incompatible.

Many sockets have no earth pin. Laptop adapters should have little problem with this for short term use.

Argentina's outlets are their own standard, the IRAM-2073, which are physically identical to the Australian AS-3112 standard (two blades in a V-shape, with or without a third blade for ground).

Some Argentine sockets accept North American plugs, particularly ones on power strips. Beware - this does not mean that these sockets deliver 110 volts. Make sure that your equipment can handle 220 volts! Simply changing the shape of the plug with a US$2 adapter will not allow 110 volt equipment to operate on 220 volt Argentinian current; unless the device is specifically designed to work on both 110 and 220 volts, irreperable damage and even fire can result. Most laptop power adapters and many portable electronics chargers are designed to work on dual voltage; check the specifications for your equipment to be sure. If your equipment cannot accept 220 volt current, you can purchase a 220->110 volt transformer for approximately US$6 in most Argentinian electronics shops. This is much heavier and bulkier than a small adapter.

European standard CEE-7/7 "Schukostecker" or "Schuko" outlets and the non-grounded, but compatible, European CEE-7/16 "Europlug" outlets may still be found in some older buildings. U.S. and Canadian travelers may want to pack adapters for these outlets as well.

Get in

By plane

Aerolineas Argentinas is the national airline of Argentina. It offers connections between Buenos Aires' international airport Ezeiza and many cities throughout South America, as well as North America and Europe.

If you plan on visiting Buenos Aires you will fly into the Ezeiza International Airport (EZE); if you're traveling to another location in Argentina you may have to travel from Ezeiza to the Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP). One problem is that these airports are located on opposite sides of the city, making transportation from one to the other with some time to consider. There are cheap shuttlebusses which take you there in about 40 minutes.

You should be able to ride a motorcoach or hire a service taxi from one of the booths after you clear customs. A trip between the airports should cost in the vicinity of 25-50 pesos; cab drivers will expect you to pay for tolls. (prices 27/10/05)

• Ezeiza International Airport (EZE): (011) 5480-6111

If visiting another city there are a number of airports located throught the country. Many find it far easier to travel to a neighboring country and then take a short distance hop to the smaller airport. All major cities in Argentina and major tourist destinations like Perito Moreno and Iguazu Falls have airports nearby. There are several national airlines, with different levels of service. In general flying gets you everywhere fast and relatively cheap.

Passengers leaving Ezeiza Airport must pay a "Departure tax" of US$ 18 (US$ 8 to Uruguay and domestic flights) after check-in, on top of any boarding taxes already paid. Argentine pesos or US dollars are accepted.

By train

There are no international services to Argentina.

By car

By bus

International coaches run from all the neighbouring countries.

• Retiro Bus Terminal: (011) 4310-0700

By boat

Regular hydrofoils routes link Buenos Aires with Montevideo and Colonia in Uruguay.

Get around

By train

Travelling by train is an option for alternative tourism in Argentina, though passenger service is very limited and generally inferior to bus service. One of the major operators is Ferrobaires. See also Satélite Ferroviario for up-to-date information on trains and services (in Spanish).

By plane

Domestic flights are available within Argentina, but tickets are pricey, and most domestic flights pass through Buenos Aires' domestic airport Aeroparque Jorge Newbery. The main carrier is Aerolinas Argentinas and its subsidiary Austral, which share their fleet, and tickets of the two can be booked at the same office.

If you fly on your international trip to Argentina with Aerolinas you always get discounts on domestic flights. Sometimes you even get free flights with your international ticket but keep in mind that you pay it with your international ticket...

By bus

Argentina boasts an outstanding short and long-distance bus network. Since regional train service is limited and plane tickets are expensive, bus travel is the most common way to travel from city to city within Argentina. In Buenos Aires, a city bus is called a colectivo while a long distance, city-to-city bus is called a micro; usage varies somewhat in provincial areas. The hub of this network is definitely Buenos Aires' Terminal de Omnibus Retiro; it has 2,000 bus arrivals and departures every day, and multiple companies serve most destinations.

The buses generally offer high-quality service, and for distances longer than 200km, it is common to have food served on board. There is generally a good amount of legroom, and many buses have seats that recline horizontally into beds (camas) making them a lot like traveling business class on a plane. Somewhat cheaper seats only recline partially (semi-camas), or not at all (servicio comun).

An amazing train that goes near the border is the Train to the Clouds, but some people get altitude-sick.

A great deal more information on buses, bus companies, and schedules, is available here.

By car

Car rental is readily available throughout Argentina, though it is a bit expensive compared to other forms of transportation. Argentina generally recognizes valid drivers' licenses from foreign jurisdictions. Be aware that driving in Argentina is rather more aggressive and chaotic than in North America and non-Latin European countries. Speed limits and lane markings, for example, are universally ignored, and running red lights is common. Stop signs, octagonal red signs reading PARE, do not require a full stop in Argentina, but rather a "yield." You are technically required to make a full stop only at red lights. Make sure you are thoroughly confident in your driving skills before attempting to drive in Argentina.

Highways are limited to the areas around large cities. Most of the country is connected by unlit two-lane roads (rutas) shared by buses, cars, and large trucks. Some places are accesible only by gravel or dirt roads.

On the rutas, in the provinces bordering other countries, the police frequently stop cars at controles policiales ("police checkpoints") to check insurance and registration papers and drivers' licenses. They do not stop all cars, though; when you come to a control policial, drive slowly and you will usually be waved through without stopping. Near provincial borders, these controles may also involve inspection of the trunk for contraband and a mandatory two peso fee for "disinfection" or "de-insectifying" the car's underside by driving it over a a mechanical sprayer that either sprays water or does nothing. The police have been known to set up roadblocks and demand bribes for passage, particularly around the city of Buenos Aires. Minor traffic infractions (though rarely enforced) can usually be handled by paying the fine on the spot to the police officer in cash.

By thumb

The hitchhiking club Autostop Argentina began in Argentina in 2002, inspired by clubs in France, Italy and the United States. As a result, hitchhiking has become more acceptable among the younger generation, and raising a thumb at a highway is a symbol most people understand.

Buy

The fashion and art scenes are booming. Buenos Aires' signature European-South American style overflows with unique art pieces, art deco furniture, and antiques. Creative and independent, local fashion designers - who are becoming a source of inspiration for the U.S. and European high-end markets - compose their collections based on lots of leather, wools, woven fabrics, and delicate laces with a gaucho twist. The dollar and the euro are very strong in Argentina as of early 2006, so this has indeed become a shopping paradise for tourists from these regions.

Fashionable clothing and leather products can be found in most commercial areas; jackets, boots and shoes are easily available. However, Buenos Aires has a relatively mild climate, so truly cold-weather gear is harder to find here. Long coats or heavy gloves may not be in stock; similarly, jeans and other basics, are thinly constructed compared to those in cooler countries. The Andes regions and Patagonia are considerably colder in the winter, so heavy clothing is much easier to find here.

Electronics will not be a bargain, as they are imported from elsewhere; music, books, and movies will be discounted by the weak peso, though.

Note that most freestanding shops are open 10 am - 8 pm weekdays, and some of them also Saturdays (depends on the area of the city that they are set), as people stay out late; enclosed malls, however, set their own hours, and are also opened on the weekends. Some provincial cities such as Mendoza still have a siesta from approximately 1 until 4 PM; almost all businesses are closed during this time.

Eat

Argentinian breakfast is somewhat light compared to what travellers from English-speaking countries are accustomed to. Hotels typically provide a free buffet consisting of coffee, tea, drinkable yogurt, assorted pastries and toast, fruit, and perhaps cereal. These kinds of breakfasts are also readily available in the many cafes.

Lunch is a big meal in Argentina, typically taken in the early afternoon. Lunch is so big because dinner is not until extremely late: 10 PM at the earliest, more commonly at 11 PM or midnight. Most restaurants do not serve food until then except for pastries or small ham-and-cheese toasted sandwiches (tostados), for afternoon tea between 6 and 8 PM. A few cafes do offer heartier fare all day long, but don't expect anything more substantial than pizza or a milanesa or a lomito (steak sandwiches) outside of normal Argentine mealtimes.

Beef is the central component of the Argentine diet, and Argentine beef is world-famous for good reason. Definitely check out Argentine barbecue: asado, sometimes also called parrillada, because it is made on a parrilla, or grill. There is no way around it - foodwise Argentina is virtually synonymous with beef. The beef is some of the best in the world, and there are many different cuts of meat. Lomo (tenderloin) and bife de chorizo are excellent. Having a parrillada dinner is one of the best ways to experience it, preferably with a bottle of wine from Mendoza. In some popular areas, parrilladas are available from small buffets, or sidewalk carts and barbecue trailers. Skewers and steak sandwiches can then be purchased to go.

Given that a large portion of Argentines are of Italian and Spanish descent, Italian and Spanish fare is very widespread and of high quality; pizzerias and specialized restaurants are very common. Take note that a convention observed in Argentina is to treat the pasta and sauce as separate items; more than one traveller has found what they thought was cheap pasta only to find that they were not getting any sauce. You will see the pastas for one price and then the sauces for an additional charge.

Cafes, bakeries, and ice-cream shops (heladerías) are very popular. Inexpensive and high-quality snacks can be found in most commercial areas, and many have outdoor seating areas. Empanadas (turnovers) containing meats, cheeses, or many other fillings can be bought cheaply from restaurants or lunch counters.

Many inexpensive and mid-market restaurants and cafes do not stock any toilet paper or soap in the bathrooms (though some do.) It is a good idea to carry both with you.

Most restaurants, including hotel breakfast areas, maintain smoking and no-smoking areas. If smoke bothers you, it is a good idea to check whether your table is on the border of these areas.

Drink

Yerba mate (pronounced in two syllables, 'ma-tae') is a traditional Argentinian tealike drink, prepared in a hollowed-out gourd which is passed around in a social setting and drunk through a metal straw. Though usually drunk hot, mate can also be served cold, usually known as "tereré". Mate is contains less caffeine than coffee, but contains other vitamins and minerals that give it a stimulating effect, particularly to those who are not used to it. It is naturally rather bitter, so it's not uncommon to add sugar. The drinking of mate with friends is an important social ritual in Argentina.

Argentina is world-renowned for the wines produced in Mendoza. Inexpensive, high-quality wine is readily available throughout Argentina. Many restaurants offer single-serving bottles. Wine-tasting events are common; check around. The many small bodegas (wineries) in Mendoza province also offer tours.

Most restaurants serve a broad range of liquors. Beer is offered in draft form in a chopp (small glass) or served in bottles or cans, and is typically a light, easily drinkable lager. The most popular locally made brands of beer are Quilmes, Isenbeck, and Brahma. Widely-available imports include Warsteiner, Heineken, and Budweiser. There are now many small pubs in Buenos Aires that brew beer on premises, but most of these offer a poor quality product compared to what is widely available in parts of the USA and Europe. In the Buenos Aires area, the Buller Brewing Company in Recoleta and the Antares Brewery in La Plata offer excellent handcrafted English/American style ales.

Cafes often have fresh-squeezed fruit juices, which is otherwise hard to find. The legal drinking age is officially 18, although most establishments will serve anyone approximately 16 or older.

Sleep

A wide range of accommodation possibilities are available in Buenos Aires and the rest of the country;[ from student hostels http://www.lacasafitzroy.com]to homey bed and breakfasts to trendy boutique hotels in the city to luxurious palaces and modern five-star hotels.

Bear in mind that usually the rooms are not as large as in hotels around the world (except from five-stars international hotels).

There are also many beautiful lake-side lodges in Patagonia, and fabulous regional farms (estancias) outside the cities. More information can be found it. here.

Many vacation cabañas (cabins or weekend houses) are available for short-term rent directly from the owners in the mountains, seaside, and in rural areas. Drive around and look for signs saying alquiler ("rental"), or check the classified section of any major newspaper.

Learn

There are a lot of public and private quality institutes who give Spanish lessons, and many more for Tango lessons.

Sports

The most popular sport in Argentina is soccer. If you come to Argentina, you shouldn't miss the chance to experience a professional soccer game live. Argentina's fans are very passionate.

Most famous soccer teams

• Boca Juniors - famous stadium "La Bombonera" where Diego Maradona played.
• River Plate
• Independiente
• San Lorenzo
• Rosario Central

Rugby and basketball (basquet) are also popular. Polo is popular among the upper classes.

Work

Stay safe

Most places in Argentina are relatively safe. Buenos Aires is generally safe; there is plenty of activity and foot traffic throughout the night. Nice areas have a very thorough police presence, perhaps one officer per block, plus store security and auxiliary patrols. Public security in all major cities like Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Rosario is handled by the Federal Police, the Urban Guard, and the National Gendarmerie or the Naval Prefecture, especially in the Puerto Madero area of Buenos Aires.

As in any large city, certain particular neighborhoods in Buenos Aires and other cities are rather dangerous. Ask trusted locals, such as hotel desk staff or police officers, for advice. Pay attention to your environment and trust your instincts. If an area seems questionable, leave.

Many people in the street hand out small cards with horoscopes, lottery numbers, or cute drawings on them. If you take the card, the person will ask for payment. You can simply return the card along with a no, gracias. Persistent panhandlers are usually not dangerous; a polite but firm no tengo nada ("I don't have anything") is usually enough.

Most robberies are not violent; in most cases, if your wallet is stolen, you won't even notice until hours later. In the unlikely event that you are confronted by a mugger, simply hand over your valuables - they are replaceable. Watch out for pickpockets in the subway and on crowded city streets. Never hang your purse or bag from the back of your chair in a cafe or restaurant - stealthy theft from such bags is common. Keep your purse or backpack on the floor between your legs while you eat.

Popular demonstrations (piqueteros) are very common in Buenos Aires, and are best avoided by tourists as these demonstrations sometimes grow into violent confrontations with the police or army, particularly as they approach the government buildings in the city center.

There are rogue taxis operating in Buenos Aires whose drivers kidnap and rob tourists and locals alike, though these are relatively uncommon. If you take a taxi, it's best to have your hotel or business phone for a radio taxi. If you must hail one on the street, look for one with the lighted gear on the roof and the designation "Radio Taxi" next to a phone number. Try to have small bills ready, as you may receive counterfeits if you pay in large denominations.

It is recommended that you carry some ID with you, but not your original passport. A copy of it (easily provided by your own hotel) should be enough.

Emergency numbers

• Ambulance (Inmediate Health Emergency Service, SAME): 107
• Firemen (National Firemen Corps): 100
• Police (Argentine Federal Police): 101 (currently Argentina is implementing a 911 service, but at the time of this writing it is available only in a few cities, which include Buenos Aires and Mar del Plata)
• Tourist Police: (011) 4346-5748 / 0800-999-5000
• Further Information: Argentina Travel Safety Guide

Stay healthy

Visiting Argentina doesn't raise any major health worries and you don't need special vaccinations, so you are unlikely to encounter any serious problems. Different climate conditions might take your body by surprise, so be aware of the weather before you arrive. A bout of travellers' diarrhoea is the most you're likely to have to worry about as your body adjusts to local micro-organisms in the food. It's also best to ease yourself gently into the local diet – sudden quantities of red meat, red wine, strong coffee and sweet pastries can be very unsettling for a stomach used to gentler repasts – and though tap water in Argentina is safe to drink, if sometimes heavily chlorinated, you may prefer to err on the side of caution in rural areas in the north of the country.

Respect

The 2001 peso crisis has left many Argentines bitter towards some authorities and institutions. While many shops will appreciate payment in US dollars or Euros and even offer you a better exchange rate than the banks, try to blend in elsewhere. Keep a supply of pesos on hand for those businesses that do not accept dollars.

Traffic is nowhere near some Asian or European cities, but driving is still extremely competitive compared to North American cities or to the more sedate areas of Europe. Do not jaywalk if you do not feel comfortable, and always keep your eyes about you when crossing the street.

Dogs are popular in Buenos Aires, but not dog curbing - watch your step.

Swearing is very common in most parts of Argentina, and not seen as rude or insulting, so don't be offended if someone calls you a "boludo". Even though it's a swear word, to Argentines is means "pal", or "mate".

Contact

By phone

You can get a Movistar SIM card for free but you need an Argentinian ID card to get it. So make sure you meet some nice people after you enter Argentina - hitchhiking or hospitality exchange might come in handy for this.

The phone numbering plan in Argentina is hopelessly complicated for unexpecting foreigners. Do check out the Wikipedia article about it to find out more.

• Directory Listing (The White Pages): 110
• International Operator: 000
• National Operator: 19
• Collect National Calls: 19 from regular phones, *19 from public phones

Other useful phone numbers include:

• Official Time: 113
• Consumer Defense: (011) 5382-6216/17

Note: All 2 and 3-digit numbers are free, except the official time service (113). All 0800 numbers are toll-free numbers.

Long Distance Calls From Argentina: You may use calling card, 0.18 Peso/min or 5.90 ¢/min for callig from Argentine to USA.

This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is very little information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!