Argentina travel guide, with all the useful information regarding the territory, climate, time zone, necessary documents, when to go and how to get there.
Argentina in short
- Capital: Buenos Aires (39,900,000 inhabitants ref. First half of 2001)
- Area in sq km: 2,780,092
- Population: 8,201,336 (first half of 2001)
- Catholic religion
Where Argentina is located
Argentina is bordered to the north by Bolivia and Paraguay, to the west with Chile, to the north east with Paraguay and Brazil, to the east with Uruguay, to the south east it overlooks the Atlantic Ocean.
The territory of Argentina is characterized by the Andes mountain range which marks the border with Chile and the eastern plains.
The reliefs of the central part of the Andes reach the highest heights (Aconcagua 6959 m. Mercedario 6770 m.).
To the east of the Andes mountains there are regions of various types.
From north to south we meet the Chaco (a vast lowland covered by a prairie scattered with shrubs, crossed by the rivers Bermejo, Salado and Pilcomayo); the Argentine Mesopotamia between the Paranà and Uruguay rivers (low and swampy); the Pampas (a large flat expanse); the Patagonic region, south of Rio Colorado, (steppe and sparsely populated).
Hydrography
Argentina's largest river is Paranà, which with its main tributary, Paraguay, and the Uruguay river form a valid river navigation system.
The confluence of the Paranà and Uruguay rivers forms the great estuary of the Rio de la Plata. On the border with Brazil, in the subtropical forest, the Iguazu river flows into Paranà after giving an exciting show with the beautiful Iguazu Falls.
Other important rivers are the Rio Salado, a tributary of the Paranà and the Pilcomayo. In Chaco and Pampa some rivers flow into lakes. In the Patagonian region the main rivers are: Colorado, (it flows into the Bahia Blanca), the Negro, the Chubut.
These rivers have long courses and rich in waters, but they are not navigable. In the Andes of Patagonia the lake region is very popular from a tourism point of view, (Parc National Nahuel Huapi) with the tourist center Bariloche Argentina.
Climate Argentina
Argentina is almost entirely included in the southern temperate zone but has a considerable variety of climatic types due to its vast extension in latitude; being below the Equator line, the summer months begin in December (the hottest months are January and February) while winter corresponds to our summer months.
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The climate is tropical in the Chaco region and subtropical in the Mesopotamia region.
These areas are affected by the air masses of the Southern Atlantic anticyclone, with precipitations that decrease from east to west. In Pampas the climate is temperate, with hot summers and mild winters.
In Patagonia and the land of fire, time is characterized by instability and wind.
On the Andes, the climate has mountainous features: the northern Andes are more arid than the southern ones, which lowering favor greater rainfall, thanks to the action of the winds of the Pacific Ocean.
Population
The population of Argentina is mainly composed of immigrants from Europe (mostly Italians and Spaniards) and only a small part of indigenous peoples.
The population is concentrated mainly in urban areas; almost one third of the entire population lives in the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires.
Time zone
In Argentina, the Italian tourist must move the clock hands 4 hours behind Italy and 5 hours behind when in Italy there is summer time.
Spoken language
The official language of Argentina is Spanish.
Economy
The Argentine economy, after the crisis, which started in 1998 and culminated in 2001, is recovering with a strong annual growth in GDP, even if a high percentage of the population is in poverty.
In agriculture the cultivation of cereals, sugar cane, fruit and vegetable crops, cotton, tobacco, orchards, vineyards are important. The cattle farm that feeds the dairy and meat industries is highly developed.
Significant wool production. In addition, Argentina has important hydroelectric reserves, uranium and oil fields; produces natural gas.
The textile, food and automotive industries are noteworthy.
In cities, the service sector is taking over from industry.
When to go to Argentina
The best time to go to Argentina depends a lot on the area you want to visit, as there are various types of climate.
In sub-tropical areas, north of the country, the most suitable months are the winter months (from May to September) when the rains decrease and the temperatures drop.
In Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, the summer months (from November to March) are preferable, with sunny but also very variable and windy days.
The city of Buenos Aires is doing well all year round.
Necessary documents
To enter Argentina, up to 3 months of stay, you need a passport with a validity of not less than 6 months from the start date of the trip.
For a stay longer than 3 months, contact the Consular Section of the Argentine Embassy in Italy to obtain a visa.
Phone
To call from Italy to Argentina the international prefix is: 0054 followed by the prefix and the desired number.
To call from Argentina to Italy the international prefix is: 0039 followed by the prefix and the desired number.
European mobile phones are not usable in Argentina because the frequency is different, only with tri band or quad band GSM mobile phones it is possible to insert an Argentine prepaid SIM card that allows you to receive calls from all over the world and free of charge (in the Buenos Aires area) Aires) and make calls to Argentina and anywhere in the world.
Electricity
The electric current is 220 Volts, 50 cycles. A standard flat blade adapter is required
Currency and credit cards Argentina
The official currency of Argentina is the Argentine peso (ARS). ATM withdrawals are possible and in many cases US dollars and euros are also accepted. Credit cards are widespread.
How to get to Argentina
Argentina flights
The Argentine flag carrier Aerolineas Argentinas and Alitalia connect Rome to Buenos Aires with direct flights lasting approx. 13 hours of travel.
