Population – 40.7 million, Area – 2,780,400 sq km (1,073,518 sq mi), Currency – Peso (ARS; symbol AR$) = 100 centavos, Flight times – From London to Buenos Aires is 15 hours 50 minutes (via Madrid) and from New York is 10 hours 30 minutes, Cities – Buenos Aires (capital), Córdoba, Rosario, Mendoza, Mar del Plata, Time Zone – GMT -3 (GMT -2 from third Saturday in March to first Saturday in October), Weather – ranges from the great heat and extensive rains of the subtropical Chaco in the north, through to the pleasant climate of the central Pampas and the sub-Antarctic cold of the Patagonian Sea in the south. The main central area is temperate, but can be hot and humid during summer (December to February) and cool in winter, Languages – Spanish is the official language, English is widely spoken with some French and German, Religion – More than 90% Roman Catholic, 2% Protestant with small Muslim and Jewish communities, Electricity - 220 volts AC, 60Hz; plug fittings in older buildings are of the two-pin round type, but most new buildings use the v-shaped twin with earth ping, travelers must carry a world travel adaptor.

Comprising almost the entire southern half of South America, Argentina is the world's eighth largest country, covering an area of 2.8 million square km. Argentina possesses some of the world's tallest mountains, expansive deserts, and impressive waterfalls, with the diversity of the land ranging from wild, remote areas in southern Patagonia to the bustling metropolis of Buenos Aires in the north.

Argentina's wide variety of ecosystems is reflected on the great number of activities that can be enjoyed throughout the country. Each location offers a range of opportunities for visitors to enjoy in close contact with nature, its challenges and secrets, and surrounded by landscapes that make visitors feel like discoverers. Trekking, mountain-biking, mountaineering, white-water rafting, canoeing, hydro-speeding, rides in 4WD vehicles, hang-gliding, paragliding, cart-sailing, and windsurfing, are some of the most popular recreational and sport activities that can be practiced, and which are constantly renewed and adapted to suit visitors' preferences.

Geography

Argentina is a plain, rising from the Atlantic to the Chilean border and the towering Andes peaks. Aconcagua (22,834 ft, 6,960 m) is the highest peak in the world outside Asia. Argentina is also bordered by Bolivia and Paraguay on the north, and by Uruguay and Brazil on the east. The northern area is the swampy and partly wooded Gran Chaco, bordering Bolivia and Paraguay. South of that are the rolling, fertile Pampas, which are rich in agriculture and sheep- and cattle-grazing and support most of the population. Further south is Patagonia, a region of cool, arid steppes with some wooded and fertile sections.

There are six major regions

Cuyo & the Andean Northwest
This area surrounding the Andes began as a colony of Peru, but today only a few miners and herders occupy this unforgiving region of volcanic peaks and salt lakes. Very little rain falls in Cuyo, though to the east are found the fertile river valleys and subtropical lowlands of the Gran Chaco.

Mesopotamia & the Northeast
Mesopotamia, a broad, flat plain between the Parana and Uraguay Rivers in northern Argentina, is wet, swampy and extremely hot during the summer. The northern province of Misiones, a more mountainous region nearly enclosed by Brazil and Paraguay, is densely forested and contains a section of the majestic Iguazu Falls.

The Chaco
This parched area in the west is part of the enormous Gran Chaco, a region that Argentina shares with Bolivia, Paraguay, and BrGauchoazil. The Chaco contains both grassland and thorny forest.

The Pampas
These fertile plains are Argentina's bread- basket. They consist of the Humid Pampas along the seaboard and the Dry Pampas in the west and south. The region includes Buenos Aires, as well as the world- class beaches of its surrounding area.

Patagonia and the Lake District
South of the Rio Colorado, experiences a desert climate, although temperatures range from mild to subzero and terrain varies from bucolic river valleys to the gigantic, ice-capped southern Andes. Its cool grazing grounds support enormous flocks of sheep, and numerous fruit and vegetable farms can be found in the valleys. Patagonia also holds vast reserves of oil and coal.

Nature in ArgentinaTierra del Fuego
The Land of Fire is actually an archipelago including the Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego (which Argentina shares with neighbouring Chile) and numerous smaller islands. Northern Isla Grande is similar in terrain to Patagonia's plains, while the mountainous area in the south is filled with forests and glaciers. Its climate is usually mild year-round, although storms are frequent.

In recent years, Argentina has followed Columbia's lead in bolstering its status as an international medical provider. The incentive to attract and please foreign patients has lead to the development of an impressive infrastructure of medical equipment and facilities that meet and often surpass international standards.Argentina became a highly desirable destination for medical tourism following the collapse of their currency (the peso) in January 2002, which had previously been pegged to the US dollar. This collapse resulted in extremely favorable exchange rates for US citizens visiting Argentina.

One of the primary draws is Argentina’s position near to North America. The location ensures relative convenience of travel for Americans and Canadians who are increasingly seeking medical care outside their own countries. Faced with the alternative of heading overseas, most patients are delighted to have facilities close to home.

Cosmetic surgery is the most popular operation sought in Argentina. First-rate procedures performed by highly trained professionals, many of whom were educated in the United States and abroad, can be purchased at a fraction of the cost of the same procedures on US soil.

Buenos Aires, the nations largest city and capital have long been known for their advanced health care system and highly skilled doctors. There are many modern hospitals and clinics throughout the city where you will receive world-class healthcare at a fraction of the cost in the US. Our partner clinic in Buenos Aries is among the top medical travel dentistry clinics in the country. The US Embassy in Buenos Aries, as well as the leading American corporations refers their employees to this clinic.

In addition to the excellent health tourism treatment available in Buenos Aries, it is also a fabulous vacation destination, being the most European-esque city on the American continent. Argentina is located in South America and can be reached from most US cities within 10 to 14 hours

History

First explored in 1516 by Juan Diaz de Solis, Argentina developed slowly under Spanish colonial rule. Buenos Aires was settled in 1580; the cattle industry was thriving as early as 1600. Invading British forces were expelled in 1806—1807, and after Napoleon conquered Spain (1808), the Argentinians set up their own government in 1810. On July 9, 1816, independence was formally declared.

As it had in World War I, Argentina proclaimed neutrality at the outbreak of World War II, but in the closing phase declared war on the Axis powers on March 27, 1945. Juan D. Peron, an army colonel, emerged as the strongman of the postwar era, winning the presidential elections of 1946 and 1951. Peron's political strength was reinforced by his second wife—Eva Duarte de Peron (Evita)—and her popularity with the working classes. Although she never held a government post, Evita acted as de facto minister of health and labor, establishing a national charitable organization, and awarding generous wage increases to the unions, who responded with political support for Perpn. Opposition to Peron's increasing authoritarianism led to a coup by the armed forces, which sent Peron into exile in 1955, three years after Evita's death. Argentina entered a long period of military dictatorships with brief intervals of constitutional government.

The former dictator returned to power in 1973 and his third wife, Isabel Martinez de Peron, was elected vice president. After her husband's death in 1974, Peron became the hemisphere's first woman chief of state, assuming control of a nation teetering on economic and political collapse. In 1975, terrorist acts by left- and right-wing groups killed some 700 people. The cost of living rose 355%, and strikes and demonstrations were constant. On March 24, 1976, a military junta led by army commander Lt. Gen. Jorge Rafael Videla seized power and imposed martial law.

Transportation in Argentina is mainly based on a complex network of routes, crossed by relatively inexpensive long-distance buses and by cargo trucks. The country also has a number of national and international airports. The importance of the long-distance train is minor today, though in the pastit was widely used. Fluvial transport is mostly used for cargo.

Within the urban areas, the main transportation system is usually the bus or colectivo; bus lines transport millions of people every day in the larger cities and their metropolitan areas. Buenos Aires additionally has an underground, the only one in the country, and Greater Buenos Aires is serviced by a system of suburban trains.

Air Transport

International Flights:
Many cities in the world fly to the main Argentine international airport, Aeropuerto Internacional Ministro Pistarini, commonly known as Ezeiza International Airport, with the code: EZE. The airport is less than one hour outside Buenos Aires city center. The following page has useful information on international air travel to Argentina.

Domestic Flights:
Argentina is a very big country that is best traveled by short flights. These internal flights are widely available from Buenos Aires and other places in Argentina. Please read our guide to Domestic Flights in Argentina for useful information on this form of transportation.

Road Transport

Bus Travel
A multitude of buses and routes are available to many parts of over Argentina. Buses offer sleeping beds along with both budget and first class seats. Some seats even fold into beds for passanger comfort.

Train Travel
There are a few train lines that operate and service passengers in Argetina. Train travel is not the best method of getting around for tourists, but a few destinations are reachable by trains.

Places To Visit

Buenos Aires
The city of Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina and also its largest port. It is located on the south-eastern coast of the country.
The city lies on the lush plains of the Rio de la Plata. The climate is generally mild and humid. Temperatures vary between 35°C in January to 10°C in July. Most of the rainfall occurs during the summer months.

Cordoba
The city of Cordoba is the second largest city in Argentina and is located in the centre of the country.It is situated at the foothills of the Sierras Chicas Mountains in the valley of the Suquia River. The climate is moderate and pleasant with average temperatures varying between 11°C and 24°C.

Esquina
The city of Esquina is located in the south-western part of Corrientes, a province in Argentina.It is a natural paradise with beautiful islands, rivers and wetlands. The climate is tropical with high temperatures and heavy rainfall throughout the year.

Caleta Olivia
Caleta Olivia is a modern resort town in Santa Cruz province in the southern region of Argentina. This town with a population of approximately 36,000 inhabitants is lined with long beaches which extend into cliffs as one travels inwards.This region enjoys a fairly temperate climate largely due to its proximity to the ocean, but the winters are fairly long. Rainfall is moderate.

Sarmiento
Sarmiento is located in the Chubut province towards the southern part of Argentina. This small town located nestled between two lakes is home to a population of approximately 10,000 inhabitants.

Tandil
Tandil is located in the Buenos Aires province in the eastern part of Argentina. This city with a population of approximately 108,000 inhabitants is spread over a hilly region in the Pampas.Tandil has a humid climate throughout the year. During winter, the average temperature is 8°C and the occasional frost also occurs while during autumn, the city is often shrouded in fog. The average temperature during summer is 20°C.

Los Glaciares National Park
If you can gear yourself up for the turbulent trip into the southernmost depths of Argentine Patagonia, you will not cease to be amazed by the incredible natural beauty which reaches out before you in this spectacular national park.The main attractions are the famous Perito Moreno Glacier and the Fitz Roy mountain range, however, there are numerous other glaciers, lakes and peaks to climb and marvel at, making this park a brilliant choice for hiking fanatics ready to embark on challenging climbs.

Iguazú National Park
This national park comprises of over 676 km sq and contains the famous Iguazú falls, the world's most impessive waterfalls. Opened in 1934, the area was named a UNESCO world heritage site in 1984.

Nahuel Huapi National Park
Argentina's first National Park, Nahuel Huapi was founded in 1934 and has long been recognised as an area of outstanding natural beauty. The main event is the dormant Volcano Tronador ('Thunderer') whose three immense peaks reach an impressive 3554 metres and mark the Argentina-Chile border.