Climate
The Argentine Republic is in the western hemisphere regarding Greenwich and southern regarding the Ecuador.
Due to its geographical conformation mostly “vertical” and to its great extension, it has a great variety of climates, that go from the polar cold in the Antarctic, until the tropical and subtropical of the northern regions.
This facilitates multiplicity of landscapes and activities, such as fishing, hunting, skiing, water sports, extreme sports, etc.
In Buenos Aires, there is an average annual temperature of 17 degrees Celsius, an average maximum temperature of 24 degrees in January (summer) and an average minimum temperature of 10 degrees in July (winter). The rains are more abundant between October and March than between April and September and it rains approximately one every four days.

Population
It is composed approximately by 37 million inhabitants. Almost half of them concentrate in the City of Buenos Aires and in the Province of the same name.

Language
The official language in Argentina is Spanish, although English is generally well understood in the urban and tourist centers.

Religion
There is full religious freedom, although the official religion is the Roman Catholic. Other religions are the Protestant, Muslim, Jewish, and others.

Currency
The official currency is PESO and its symbol is “$.”
It has a free rate according to the market. At the moment the exchange rate is approximately
u$s 1 = $ 3.05/3.10. 

Political organization
Argentina is divided into 23 provinces and a federal district, the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires.
The Government's form is representative, republican and federal.
It has a division of powers: Executive –ruled by the President -, Legislative –Deputies and Senators - and Judicial.

Capital
The Autonomous City of Buenos Aires is the Capital of the Argentine Republic.
It has European features combined with Latin and local characteristics. It is a great metropolis essentially cultural, character that is reflected in its artistic expressions and in a great number of plays, tango shows, musicals, concerts, conferences, congresses, etc.
The most tourist neighborhoods are Buenos Aires Center, Puerto Madero, La Boca, San Telmo, Recoleta and Palermo –with two areas under development: Palermo “Soho” and Palermo “Hollywood” -.

Public holidays
January 1st
Good Friday
April 2nd
May 1st
May 25th
June 20th
July 9th
August 17th
October 12th
December 8th
December 25th
The ones in light blue move to the third Monday of the corresponding month.
October 12th moves to the previous Monday if it is Tuesday or Wednesday, and to Friday if it is Thursday.

Time zone
Argentina has a single time zone, 4 hours less GMT

›› INTERESTING INFORMATION

Entrance:
To enter the Argentine Republic you need a passport.
Vaccines are not required.
By air you arrive to the International Minister Pistarini airport that is located in Ezeiza, 35 Km. of the city of Buenos Aires. You can go to the city by bus ($15,00) or taxi (between $35,00 and $45,00) along Ricchieri freeway (35 minutes to the Center).

Change:
American dollars are generally accepted. Other currencies can be exchanged in most banks and authorized exchange offices.
The credit cards mostly accepted in the shops are American Express, Visa, Diners and Master Card.

Schedules:
Banks and exchange offices: from Monday to Friday from 10.00 AM. to 3.00 PM.
Offices: from 9.00 AM to 1.00 PM and from 2 PM to 7 PM.
Shopping malls: from 10.00 AM to 10.00 PM.
Shops: from 9.00 AM. to 8.00 PM.
Restaurants, pizza shops, cafés, etc.: Open all day except between 2.00 AM and 7.00 AM. Nevertheless, the habitual lunch time is between 12.30 AM and 3.30 PM and dinner time between 8.00 PM and 12.00 PM.

Tips:
It is habitual to give tips in bars and restaurants, it is around 10% of the check.
Tips are also given to the hotel staff and ushers in cinemas and theaters.