Argentina

Argentina (official name Argentine Republic) (official name in Spanish "Republica Argentina") is a large, elongated country in the southern part of South America, neighbouring countries being Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay to the north, Uruguay to the north east and Chile to the west. In the east Argentina has a long South Atlantic Ocean coastline.

Argentina is the second-largest country in South America, and the eighth-largest in the world. The highest and the lowest points of South America are also located in Argentina: At 6, 960m, Cerro Aconcagua is the tallest mountain in the Americas while Salinas Chicas, at 40m below sea level, is the lowest point in South America.

At the southern tip of Argentina there are several routes between the South Atlantic and the South Pacific Oceans including the Strait of Magellan, the Beagle Channel, and the Drake Passage as an alternative sailing around Cape Horn in the open ocean between South America and Antarctica.

The name Argentina derives from argentum, the Latin word for silver, which is what early Spanish explorers sought when they first reached the region in the sixteenth century.

The National Presidential Office and the National Census Agency uses several regions to perform statics tasks; according to this, the most visited are:

Andean Northwest (Argentina) Andean Northwest Chaco (Argentina) Chaco Cuyo Cuyo Mesopotamia (Argentina) Mesopotamia Pampas Tapioca Lands Gumdrop Fields Patagonia (Argentina) Patagonia Tierra del Fuego Province of Tierra del Fuego

Note The Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) are claimed by Argentina but administered by the United Kingdom.

By plane

Aerolíneas Argentinas http://www.aerolineas.com.ar and LAN Argentina http://www.lan.com Offer connections between Buenos Aires ' international airport Ezeiza and many cities throughout South America, as well as North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

If you plan on visiting Buenos Aires you will fly into the Ezeiza International Airport (EZE); if you're traveling to another location in Argentina you may have to travel from Ezeiza to the Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP). One problem is that these airports are located on opposite sides of the city, making transportation from one to the other with some time to consider. There are cheap shuttle buses which take you there in about an hour, but travel time varies greatly depending on traffic. Keep in mind while flying out of Aeroparque that recently there have been many workers strikes at the airport and service has been notably unreliable. (updated 17/6/07)

You should be able to ride a motorcoach or hire a service taxi from one of the booths after you clear customs. The fixed rate for a taxi from Ezeiza international airport to Buenos Aires is 74 pesos, the rate from the Jorge Newbery domestic airport to town is 23 pesos. (prices 04/05/07)Ezeiza International Airport (EZE): (011) 5480-6111If visiting another city there are a number of airports located throught the country. Many find it far easier to travel to a neighboring country and then take a short distance hop to the smaller airport. All major cities in Argentina and major tourist destinations like Perito Moreno and Iguazu Falls have airports nearby. There are several national airlines, with different levels of service. In general flying gets you everywhere fast and relatively cheap.

Passengers leaving Ezeiza Airport must pay a Departure tax of US$ 18 (US$ 8 to Uruguay and domestic flights) after check-in, on top of any boarding taxes already paid. Argentine pesos or US dollars are accepted.

By train

There are currently no international services to Argentina. A connection between Chile and Argentina is under construction.

By car

You can enter Argentina from borders shared with Bolivia, Brazil (north), Chile, (west), Paraguay and Uruguay.

By bus

International coaches run from all the neighbouring countries.

Retiro Bus Terminal: (011) 4310-0700Retiro is enormous, more like an airport than the typical bus terminal. For long distance buses it is advisable to buy a ticket several days in advance of your trip. Be sure to arrive about 45 minutes before your departure and always ask at an information counter if your gate number is the same as printed on your ticket. You will be given a range of possible gate numbers (for example 17-27). Watch your belongings carefully at Retiro as it is always very crowded.

By boat

Regular hydrofoils routes http://www.buquebus.com link Buenos Aires Buenos Aires with Montevideo and Colonia in Uruguay. The company Buquebus has both a slow (3 hours) and rapid (1 hour) ferry service that departs several times a day to Colonia. Ferries depart from the downtown Buenos Aires neighborhood Puerto Madero. There are two companies ( Cacciola and Líneas Delta) that link the city of BuenosAires Tigre with Carmelo and Nueva Palmira in Uruguay, respectively. Trains to Tigre depart from Retiro (one of Buenos Aires' main train stations) every ten minutes. The trip costs 1.1 pesos and takes 50 minutes.

By train

During the last years the government promoted the re-establishment of long distance passenger trains. Most lines still operate on a low frequency (one or two departures weekly). The rail network is very limited, intercity buses offer better service and faster rides. Trains fare are very cheap-often only a fourth of the bus fare.

Local travel in the Buenos Aires province is both by bus and by local trains, with fast trains being the quickest way to get through the traffic around the Capital Federal. The two largest train terminals in Buenos Aires is Once and Retiro.

One of the major operators is Ferrobaires. See also Satélite Ferroviario for up-to-date information on trains and services (in Spanish). Ferrocentral departes from Buenos Aires weekly to Tucuman and twice per week to Cordoba.

An amazing train ride is the Tren a las nubes (Train to the Clouds) in the northwestern province of Salta_(province) Salta, but some people get altitude-sick. In addition, this train has currently not running. It should start running sometime in 2007 after proper repairs.

By plane

Domestic flights are available within Argentina, but tickets are pricey, and most domestic flights pass through Buenos Aires' domestic airport Aeroparque Jorge Newbery. The main carriers are Aerolíneas Argentinas LAN Argentina. Aerolíneas Argentinas' subsidiary Austral, which shares its parents fleet, and tickets of the two can be booked at the same office.

If you fly on your international trip to Argentina with Aerolíneas you always get discounts on domestic flights. Sometimes you even get free flights with your international ticket but keep in mind that you pay it with your international ticket...

By bus

Argentina boasts an outstanding short and long-distance bus network. Since regional train service is limited and plane tickets are more expensive, bus travel is the most common way to travel from city to city within Argentina. In Buenos Aires, a city bus is called a colectivo while a long distance, city-to-city bus is called a micro; usage varies somewhat in provincial areas. The hub of this network is definitely Buenos Aires' Terminal de Omnibus de Retiro; it has up to 2, 000 bus arrivals and departures per day, and multiple companies serve most destinations. Buses arrive and depart from a total of 75 platforms, and in order to buy your ticket you will have to choose between about 200 ticket booths situated on the upper level of the terminal.

The more expensive buses generally offer high-quality service, and for distances longer than 200km, it is common to have food served on board. There is generally a good amount of legroom, and many buses have seats that recline horizontally into beds (camas) making them a lot like traveling business class on a plane. The best category with completely reclining seats is normally called cama suite, but other names such as tutto leto or salon real are also in use. Somewhat cheaper seats only recline partially (semi-camas), or not at all (servicio comun). Every service belongs to one of five official comfort classes with minimum requirements that are prescribed by law in order to facilitate comparisons. The better buses will provide everything you need, while for the lower categories it may be a good idea to take drinks and food with you, as well as toilet paper and ear plugs.

More information on bus companies and schedules is available at the webpage of the Terminal de Retiro. in Buenos Aires. A second bus terminal in Buenos Aires is situated in the neighborhood Liniers, but it is smaller and less accessible than the one in Retiro.

By car

Car rental is readily available throughout Argentina, though it is a bit expensive compared to other forms of transportation. Argentina generally recognizes valid drivers' licenses from foreign jurisdictions. Drivers must be over 21. The rental companies will charge the renters card arg$6000 to be used in the event of an accident. They cancel this charge when the car is returned. Be aware that the driving style in Argentina is much more aggressive and chaotic than in North America and non-Latin European countries. Speed limits and lane markings, for example, are universally ignored, and running red lights is common. Most drivers treat stop signs, octagonal red signs reading PARE, as though they were yield signs, though some drivers ignore them completely. Within cities surrounding Buenos Aires it is proper to honk at an impending intersection and the one who honks first has right of way. Right of way is determined somewhat haphazardly by a combination of vehicle size and who arrives first. Make sure you are thoroughly confident in your driving skills before attempting to drive in Argentina.

Highways are limited to the areas around large cities. Most of the country is connected by paved unlit two-lane roads (rutas) shared by buses, cars, and large trucks. Some places are accessible only by gravel or dirt roads--indeed, some main roads in southern Argentina are unsealed, leading to 4WD vehicles being more popular in the south.

On the rutas, in the provinces bordering other countries, the police frequently stop cars at controles policiales ( police checkpoints ) to check insurance and registration papers and drivers' licenses. They do not stop all cars, though; when you come to a control policial, drive slowly and you will usually be waved through without stopping. Near provincial borders, these controles may also involve inspection of the trunk for contraband and a mandatory two peso fee for disinfection or de-insectifying the car's underside by driving it over a a mechanical sprayer that either sprays water or does nothing. The police have been known to set up roadblocks and demand bribes for passage, particularly around the city of Buenos Aires.

The current cost of fuel in central and southern Argentina is approximately 2 pesos per litre, and 1.6 pesos per litre in the north (prices 04/05/2007). Be aware that in many small towns, particularly in the north, they may ration fuel to ensure they have enough to sell until the next refuelling truck arrives, in which case you will only be allowed to buy 30 pesos worth of fuel at a time. It's advisable to fill your tank at regular intervals when the opportunity arises.

By thumb

The hitchhiking hitchhiking club Autostop Argentina began in Argentina in 2002, inspired by clubs in France, Italy and the United States. As a result, hitchhiking has become more acceptable among the younger generation, and raising a thumb at a highway is a symbol most people understand.

There is plenty of activity and foot traffic throughout the night. Nice areas have a very thorough police presence, perhaps one officer per 3 blocks, plus store security and auxiliary patrols. Public security in all major cities like Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Rosario is handled by the Federal Police and the National Gendarmerie or the Naval Prefecture, especially in the Puerto Madero area of Buenos Aires.

As in any large city, certain particular neighborhoods in Buenos Aires and other cities are very dangerous, such as Mataderos, Villa Lugano, La Boca, San Telmo, Retiro, Constitución, Montserrat, Barracas, Villa Riachuelo, Balvanera, Nueva Pompeya and Villa Soldati. There are also many shantytowns in Buenos Aires the most famous are in Retiro, Villa Lugano, La Boca and Villa Riachuelo. Ask trusted locals, such as hotel desk staff or police officers, for advice. Pay attention to your environment and trust your instincts. If an area seems questionable, leave.

Many people in the street hand out small cards with horoscopes, lottery numbers, pictures of saints, or cute drawings on them. If you take the card, the person will ask for payment. You can simply return the card along with a no, gracias. Persistent panhandlers are usually not dangerous; a polite but firm no tengo nada ( I don't have anything ) is usually enough.

Most robberies are not violent, if it is just give the robbers everything, because they may be on drugs, drunk, have a knife or a gun; in most cases, if your wallet is stolen, you won't even notice until hours later. In the unlikely event that you are confronted by a mugger, simply hand over your valuables-they are replaceable. Watch out for pickpockets in the subway and on crowded city streets. Never hang your purse or bag from the back of your chair in a cafe or restaurant-stealthy theft from such bags is common. Keep your purse or backpack on the floor between your legs while you eat.

Popular demonstrations are very common in Buenos Aires, and are best avoided by tourists as these demonstrations sometimes grow into violent confrontations with the police or National Gendarmerie, particularly as they approach the government buildings in the city center.

There are rogue taxis operating in Buenos Aires whose drivers kidnap and rob tourists and locals alike. If you take a taxi, it's best to have your hotel or business phone for a radio taxi. If you must hail one on the street, look for one with the lighted gear on the roof and the designation Radio Taxi next to a phone number. Try to have small bills ready, as you may receive counterfeits if you pay in large denominations.

It is recommended that you carry some ID with you, but not your original passport. A copy of it (easily provided by your own hotel) should be enough.

Ezeiza International Airport Security Warning

On July of 2007, Argentina's Canal 13 conducted an investigation revealing that a group of security operators at the airport are stealing valuable objects such as iPods, digital cameras, cellular phones, sun glasses, jewelry and laptops while scanning the checked luggage of passengers. According to the special report, security operators at the airport should check each bag before putting it into the plane; however, some operators take advantage of the scanner machine to detect valuable objects and steal them. The report states that this event occurs every day and that the stolen items include anything from electronic devices to perfumes and chocolates.wert

Travelers and residents using the Ezeiza airport are strongly encouraged to place high-value items in their carry-on luggage to prevent any incidents.

Neighbouring Paraguay is currently experiencing its deadliest Yellow fever yellow fever epidemic in over 60 years. If visiting near the border (provinces of Misiones, Corrientes, Chaco, Formosa (province) Formosa, Salta, and Jujuy ), being vaccinated at least 10 DAYS prior is highly recommended. While no cases have been reported in Argentina as of March 2008, this disease can spread very quickly and unpredictably. Buenos Aires is over 800 km (500 mi) from Paraguay, and of no concern at this time.

Visiting Argentina doesn't raise any major health worries. Certain vaccinations may be necessary for visitors, depending on where in Argentina you plan to visit. Yellow Fever vaccinations are recommended for those visiting the Northern forests. Different climate conditions might take your body by surprise, so be aware of the weather before you arrive. A bout of travellers' diarrhoea is the most you're likely to have to worry about as your body adjusts to local micro-organisms in the food. It's also best to ease yourself gently into the local diet – sudden quantities of red meat, red wine, strong coffee and sweet pastries can be very unsettling for a stomach used to gentler repasts – and though tap water in Argentina is safe to drink, if sometimes heavily chlorinated, you may prefer to err on the side of caution in rural areas in the north of the country.

Following independence from Spain in 1816, Argentina experienced periods of internal political conflict between conservatives and liberals. In the first decade of the 20th century, Argentina became the richest nation in Latin America, its wealth symbolized by the opulence of its Buenos Aires capital city.

European immigrants flowed into Argentina, particularly from Italy; by 1914 nearly 6 million people had come to the country.

After World War II, a long period of Peronist rule in subsequent governments was followed by a military junta that took power in 1976.

Democracy returned in 1983 after the abortive attempt to wrest the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) from United Kingdom sovereignty.

A painful economic collapse at the turn of the 21st century devalued the Argentine peso by a factor of three and ushered in a series of weak, short-lived governments along with social and economic instability. As of 2006, the country has stabilized under President Nestor Kirchner, and the economy has begun to recover.