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Location, area and frontiers
Located in South America, and thus, in the southern hemisphere, Argentina has an area of almost 3.8 million square kilometres, 2.8 on the continent - approximately 54 % are plains (grasslands and savannahs), 23%, plateaus, and the other 23 %, mountains - and the remainder in the Antarctic. It is 3,800 Km. long and is located between latitude 22∫ and 55∫. Its border with Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and Chile has a perimeter of 9,376 Km, while the territory bordered by the Atlantic Ocean is 4,725 Km long.
Geography
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 present marvellous contrasts: the Northwest plateaus, the lake region, the forests and glaciers in the Patagonia.
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 pools 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 Iguazu Falls.
The Pampas, in the centre 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 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.
Climate
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, and 12° C from June to September. The seasons in the Southern Hemisphere are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere. The most favourable season to visit Patagonia and the Southern Andean range is summer – with mild temperatures and longer daylight hours, although during winter the area is very popular amongst winter sports fan. Winter is the best time to visit the northern and littoral zones, as it rarely rains and the subtropical temperatures are a bit cooler. Spring and Fall are as wonderful in Buenos Aires as in the rest of the country.
Population
Argentina's current population is, as per the 2001 Census by the INDEC (National Institute of Statistics and Census of the Argentine Republic) -- of 36,2600,130 inhabitants. Of those surveyed, 16,603,341 live in the city of Buenos Aires and its surroundings (what is called the “Gran Buenos Aires).(*) Population density calculated on a national basis is of 13 inhabitants per square kilometre.(*)
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 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.
(*) Data by INDEC.
Language
Spanish is the official language of the Argentine Republic. In Buenos Aires, some "lunfardo" expressions -city slang - are used.
Currency
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.
Religion
Roman Catholic is the official religion, though most denominations are represented.
Constitution and Government
Argentina consists of 23 provinces plus a federal district, the City Buenos Aires. The Argentine Constitution establishes a Republic under a representative and federal system, and three separate branches of government: executive, legislative and judicial.
The executive branch is exercised by the President and Vice-president of the Nation, elected for a 4-year term, and who may be re-elected for a single additional term. The legislative branch is bicameral: the Senate (composed of three senators from each province and from the City of Buenos Aires) and the House of Representatives (composed of representatives elected directly and in proportion to each district’s population). The judicial branch is vested in the Supreme Court and lower courts of justice.
Each province has adopted its own Constitution in accordance with the National Constitution, to rule its administration.
The current National Constitution dates from 1853. Nevertheless, it was amended in 1860, 1898, 1957 and 1994. The last amendment made in August 1994, allows the President’s re-election for an additional term.
Two historic dates
May 25, 1810. The first "Gobierno Patrio" or National Government Assembly was constituted.
July 9, 1816. Proclamation of Independence by the Provincias Unidas del Río de la Plata.
National emblems
The Argentine flag has three horizontal stripes: the one in the middle is white and bears the golden sun, and the two outside stripes are light blue. The national flower is the ceibo, and the national stone is the manganese spar (rodocrosita) or "Inca Rose".
Local Time:
GMT – 3 Hours. In 2008 a new Summer Standard Time Zone (GMT – 2 hours) was implemented for most of the provinces.
Electricity.
Current is 110/130 volts at 50 cycles per second.
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