Argentina & Patagonia

The Argentine Republic, with almost 3.8 million km2, is located in the southern hemisphere of the Americas. Its 3,800 km of longitude ranges from 22o to 55o South latitude. It borders Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia and Chile and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. The country is divided touristically into 6 regions and politically into 24 provinces.

Patagonia (Spanish pronunciation: [pataˈɣonja]) is a sparsely populated region at the southern end of South America, shared by Argentina and Chile. The region comprises the southern section of the Andes Mountains, lakes, fjords, and glaciers in the west and the deserts to the east.

Argentina has many peculiarities that have traveled the world on the lips of its visitors. The unwrapped personality of its people, friendly, funny and effusive; the typical gastronomy that goes from roasting to matting, to regional dishes and snacks with sweet milk; traditional dances such as tango, dance of couples at a rate of 2 by 4 that was born in Buenos Aires in the nineteenth century and today is disseminated internationally, or folklore, with the different choreographic forms that it adopts in each region; passion for football and enthusiasm for its main clubs and players, Boca Juniors and River Plate being the most popular, which fill stadiums and provoke thriving demonstrations in each of their matches.

For many of the services received (mainly gastronomic) it is customary to leave a tip equivalent to 10% of the amount consumed, not always included in the payment invoice. It is also stipulated to tip door attendants, trunks and show ushers.

Currency. Although the US dollar and euro are generally accepted in stores and shops, currency exchange in national currency is done at authorized banks and houses. The most commonly accepted credit cards are American Express, VISA, Diners and Master Card. Traveler's checks are easily redeemed in Buenos Aires but may present difficulties in some locations in the interior. The local currency is the Argentine peso (ARS), available in notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 pesos and in coins of 5, 10, 25 cents and 1, 2 and 5 pesos

Electricity. Electrical current in Argentina is 220 volts, 50Hz. Most hotels and offices use the three-pin flat plug, however most older buildings use the two-pin round plug.

Language. Although in Argentina it has no official language, the most widely used language of the country is Spanish, which has slight differences from that used in Spain. The second most spoken language of Argentina is English, as it is studied compulsorily from the earliest years.

Climate. Argentina's elongated geography ensures that the country has a diverse climate. The north is subtropical with rain throughout the year and is best visited between May and September when the heat and humidity is less oppressive. The south has a sub-arctic climate and is best visited in the summer (December to February). The central area is temperate but can be hot and humid during summer and cool in winter.