About Argentina

Language
The official language of Argentina is Spanish. But like England, Ireland, Australia, and the United States for example all have a different English, the Spanish in Spain, Bolivia, Ecuador and Argentina also have slight differences.




Geography
Argentina is the most southern country in South-America. With a size of 2.791.810km2 (Islas Malvinas, other Atlantic islands and a part of Antarctica included) Argentina is the second largest country in South-America, and the 8th largest in the world.
In the north the country borders with Bolivia, Brazil and Uruguay and in the west and south with Chili.




Climate
Because of the huge size of the country, Argentina has a lot of different climates and landscapes. The climates can be divided:

 The northwest is known for her tropical climate. The border with Bolivia is one of the warmest places in the whole of South-America. The temperatures often go over 40 degrees Celsius. In wintertime the night temperature on the northern border is 11 degrees on average.

 The northeast is mainly subtropical.

 The central sierras have a mountain climate. The mountain has a high altitude climate and the highest summits have permanent snow and permafrost. There are also hot days but extremely cold nights always follow. Frost is also common in the south on the highlands.

 The central sierras of Córdoba and San Luis have a reasonably dry and average climate.
 
 The Pampa’s have hot summers. The day temperature rises to 31 degrees in January. In the winter month July it is very fresh on these lowlands.

 The plains of Patagonia have the lowest temperatures. Here it often freezes at least a couple of degrees.

 Tierra de Fuego has a sea climate. This is one of the coldest places in Argentina.

Population
The population of almost 41 million inhabitants is unequally divided about the country. Approximately one third of the population lives in Buenos Aires. Other major population clusters are: Córdoba, Rosario, Tucuman, Mendoza en Bahia Blanca. South of Patagonia’s Rio Colorado the number of inhabitants is very small. 85% of the population can trace their ancestry back to Europe.




Religion
The official religion is Catholic (93%) but there are also minorities of Protestant, Jewish, Muslim and Greek- and Russian Orthodox churches.




Politics
Argentina is a represented federal republic, as signed up in the constitution. The country is divided in 23 provinces. The national president and vice-president, but also the mayor of Buenos Aires, the provincial governors and members of the legal institutions, are chosen by a general, secret and obligatory election. All civilians (men and women) over 18 have to participate. The re-election of the president for a four year term is possible. At this moment Argentina has a female president: Cristina Kirchner, who took over the job from her husband.  





In some stores you see a tax free sign. If you ask about the tax free they will make a special receipt for you. When you go back to the airport it is possible to get back the tax you paid with these receipts.




National Holidays