Country guide - Argentina  

 
 

Introduction: Argentina boasts a wide variety of cultural attractions and it is not short of its natural wonders too. Argentina's geography is varied and stunning. For cosmopolitan types, there's the elegant capital, Buenos Aires. This great city is renowned for its sophistication, although travellers expecting a more 'South American' feel are a little disappointed with its European influences.

Official Name: República Argentina
Area: 2,766,890 sq km (1,068,296 sq miles)
Population: 38,740,000
Continent: South America
Density per square mile: 36
Capital City: Buenos Aires
Religions: 93% Roman Catholic, 2% Protestant, 2% Jewish, 3% Other

Language: Officially it’s Spanish but this form of Spanish differs from the traditional Catalan version. English, Italian, German & French are also spoken.
Government: Republic
Member of EU: N/A

Currency: Peso
GDP: $391 Billion
GDP Per Head: $10,200

Natural Resources: Fertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum & uranium.
Land Use: Arable Land 9%
Agriculture: Citrus fruits, sunflower seeds, soybeans, grapes, corn, tobacco, peanuts, tea, wheat & livestock.
Industry: Food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel, agribusiness.

Tourism: Both international travellers and Argentines who can no longer afford to travel abroad are using Argentina as a tourist destination and figures are rising annually.

Natural Hazards: San Miguel de Tucuman and Mendoza areas in the Andes are subject to earthquakes. Argentina also experiences pamperos which are are violent windstorms that can strike the Pampas and northeast. There is occasional heavy flooding also.
Health Risks: Cholera and dengue fever are hazards in the subtropical north

Climate: The climate varies from a humid sub-tropical climate in the north with the central semi-arid Pampa ranging from a tropical to a moderately cool climate. The southern area of the country is sub-arctic and is directly influenced by the prevailing westerly winds. Rainfall diminishes from east to west. Average temperature ranges in Buenos Aires are from -5 to 14 degrees Celsius in June to 17 to 29 degrees Celsius in January.

Time: GMT/UTC -3 hours
National Days: 25 May - May Revolution, 10 June - Malvinas Day , 12 October Columbus Day

Visas: British citizens and most other foreigners do not require a visa to enter Argentina as a tourist. On presentation of a valid British passport you will be granted a 90-day stay in the country.

British Embassy Details

 

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