√ Basic information on Argentina (South America)
Argentina
National flag of Argentina
Argentina, the country between the mountains of the Andes and the Atlantic Ocean, with its fantastic capital Buenos Aires, its Pampas and Gauchos, the famous wine of the Mendoza region and the Patagonian landscapes in the south.
Argentina in numbers/basic information on Argentina
- Inhabitants: ~ 40.134.000
- Area of Argentina: 2.776.890 km² (1.072.163 square miles)
- Spoken languages: spanish
- Borders with: Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay
- Capital: Buenos Aires
- Seat of the congress/parliament: Buenos Aires
- Seat of the government: Buenos Aires
- Head of State and Government Chief: Cristina Fernández de Kirchner
- Typical products: Red wine of Mendoza and San Juan, Argentine steaks
- Voltage: 220 V / 50Hz
- Telephone prefix number, Argentina phone country code: +54
- Time Zone: GMT/UTC -3 hours
- When you opened this page in Argentina it was 09:58 h.
- Currency: $ - Peso Argentino (ARS)
Geography of Argentina
Argentina can roughly be divided into three parts:
The fertile plains of the Pampas in the northern half of the country, the centre of Argentina's agricultural wealth; the flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia in the southern half down to Tierra del Fuego; and the rugged Andes mountain range along the western border with Chile, with the highest point being the Cerro Aconcagua at 6,960 m.
Pampa Plains
A plains region interrupted only by the the small mountains of Tandil and La Ventana Sierras.
Its tourist potential is mainly reflected on the big city of Buenos Aires. An industrial and commercial pole that offers an intense cultural activity. Besides the large number of beaches on the Atlantic Coast in the Pampas region, Tandil and Ventana offer an impressive landscape.
Mar del Plata Film Festival
If you like the movies, you can come to one of the most important Spanish-speaking film festivals in a beautiful coastal city on the banks of the sea.
The Mar del Plata Film Fest is a perfect conjunction of art, theory, critical, market, industry and popular assembly.
Projection of National and international movies
Awards for producers, actors and directors. The 'Ombú' Award of gold, silver and platinum is given with the presence of foreign and national artists.
The festival is organized by the National Institute of Movies and Visual Arts.
Central Sierras
The Region of the Sierras is peppered with small mountains crossed by plentiful rivers, streams and artificial lakes. There are many small cities and villages to visit and explore. Adventure tourism, swimming and water sports are the main activities to take part in.
Cuyo
It is an arid mountainous region, which is cut by plentiful rivers that make up majestic canyons such as that of the Atuel Canyon. Rafting, mountaineering, trekking and many other adventure activities are all possible here. Excellent ski resorts such as that of Las Leñas Valley. Visits to wineries.
Northeast
Cascades, rapids and waterfalls are the main features of Iguazu Falls.
The Littoral offers numerous beaches, islands and ideal places to practice swimming and water sports. There are thermal fountains and hot springs in several cities.
Andean Patagonia
The mountainous Patagonia region, peppered with natural lakes, glaciers and woods is one of the most astounding landscapes of Argentina. Excellent for adventure tourism activities like trekking, rafting, and mountaineering. Water sports and excursions in its numerous lakes. There are excellent snow skiing resorts such as Chapelco, Mount Cathedral and many hot springs soak in after.
Atlantic Patagonia
The eastern part of Patagonia that borders with the Atlantic Ocean and sometimes called the Patagonian Plateau, posseses a very distinct relief.
An area rich in sea life. In the northern area, you will find good beaches for swimming with comfortable water temperatures. Scuba diving is one of the other important attractions.
The Gaucho
The word "gaucho" was used in the regions of the River Plate, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil,(although there the word is gaúcho) to name the horse riders of the planes or "pampas", who kept cattle. The origin of this word is not very clear. "Guahu-che" is the most popular one and means "people who sings sadly"; it comes form araucano and denotes melancholy.
The 'gaucho’ is the fruit of the mixture of Spanish and aborigine blood; he started to create his own personality in the primitive vaquerías of the colonies. There he learned the tasks connected to cattle rising with a singular skill and founded his body to his inseparable friend: the horse.
He spends most of the time on horseback, which is why he hates agriculture, since he must be standing all day long.
His indomitable value made him the bases of the South American Independence. He was a shepherd in times of peace and a soldier in times of war.
The big area of the "pampas" planes finally moulds his conduct. He is very free, of simple habits and leads a wandering life. That freedom which he faces his life with brings back to him a lot of misfortunes. He was excluded for a long time, but as time passes by he was popularly accepted and the word gaucho is now synonym of uprightness and nobility of heart.
The China (gaucha)
The 'Gaucha' is also called 'China'. She was the loyal companion of the 'gaucho'. Her occupation was to grow corn, watermelon and onion. She baked their bread and used the mortar and pestle for crushing the charque, the wheat and corn.
She brought up the children and she also wove her companion’s ponchos. She was as a good rider as he was. She used to wear a cotton shirt, underskirt and headscarf. She usually wore two braids. Sometimes she would also wear a loose and low-cut dress. She liked smoking.
More information and interesting Web-Sites regarding Argentina:
Mar del Plata Film Festival - One of the more important Spanish-speaking film festival
Directory of Argentinean mueseums (Site in Spanish only)
Overview: All Spanish language schools in Argentina. (Edition for handhelds/cell phones)
Web-Site available in Spanish (español), English, German (deutsch).
What to do in Buenos Aires? Do you come to Argentina? Are you on for dinner tonight? Eat what you can eat - Free food pics for free people, restaurants, cinemas, theatres and more.
Web-Site available in Spanish (español), English, German (deutsch).
Official site of the Argentinian Soccer Association
Ministry of the Environment of Argentina
