Argentina Explorer, Iguazu and Patagonia
Geographical Situation
Argentina is located in the southern extreme of South America. With a continental extension of 2.791.810 Km2.(including Malvinas Islands, other South Atlantic Islands and part of Antarctica). Argentina is the second largest country in South America and the eighth in the world, Including the Antarctic Sector, Argentina claims a total area of 3.761.274 Km2 It is some 1425 Km across at its widest from east to west and stretches 3.800 Km from the north to the South. it is bounded by Bolivia and Paraguay on the north, Brazil, Uruguay and the Atlantic Ocean on the east, and by the Atlantic Ocean and Chile on the west and south. The western part of Argentina is occupied by the Andes mountain range, the great mountain system of the South American continent. Here we find the Aconcagua (6.959 m), the highest peak in the world outside those existing in the Himalaya. There also exists several parallel ranges to the east of the Andes, such as the Eastern Mountain range and the Sub-Andean sierras to the north, The Pampean Sierras to the north and centre from the Aconquija up to the Sierras of Córdoba and San Luis, and Buenos Aires sierras systems such as Tandilia and Ventania The central part and the east of Argentina (except for the parallel groups to the Andes already mentioned) consist almost entirely of a flat or gently undulating plain.
Climate and Regions
Argentina has exceptional natural beauties, for it comprises a diverse territory of mountains, plateau and plains with all the climatic variations There are several climatic and landscape regions:
NORTHWEST - It stands out for its tropical climate, its colourful mountains, the Puna high plateau, the gorges, the valleys and the characteristic settlement patterns that make up the history of this land.
GRAN CHACO - Primarily forest area with forests of subtropical climate, swampy lands and ponds.
MESOPOTAMIA
- In the northern part the subtropical climate prevails whereas, in the south the climatic conditions are more temperate. It is rich in flora and fauna. Its territory consists of slopes, ponds and swampy lands cut through by important rivers.
CUYO - With its mountainous characteristics (The Aconcagua lies here), it has an arid temperate climate. However, man, through artificial irrigation, has turned it into an ideal land for the viticulture and viniculture.
CENTRAL SIERRAS - The central sierras of Córdoba and San Luis offer a quite bening dry temperate climate. They posses numerous rivers and artificial water mirrors.
HUMID PAMPA - The Pampa with its temperate climate possess’ the most productive lands of the country (and one of the best ones of the world) for the agriculture and cattle breeding. Its plain landscape is just broken by Tandil and Ventania Sierras. The East is characterised by the vast populated beaches of the Atlantic coast.
PATAGONIA - The largest region with the coldest climate (especially in the southern part). The west consists mainly of a mountainous landscape peppered with spectacular woods, lakes and glaciers. The centre offers sterile plateau and to the east vast beaches with spectacular and unique colonies of marine animals for sightseeing. The southern extreme of this region makes up the southernmost point of the world.
Population
Argentina has a low demographic density. It consists of around 36 million people, mainly established in the urban centres. The 85% of the population is descendant of immigrants from Europe. As opposed to most Latin American countries, in Argentina there are relatively few Indian half castes (people of mixed races: European and Indian). Almost half of the population of the country live in the Federal Capital and the province of Buenos Aires. The urban population makes up the 88% of the whole whereas the rural population represents the 22%. The figures give us a population density of 13 inhabitants per km2 with an annual growing of 1.5 %.
Language
Spanish is the official language and is spoken by the great majority of Argentinians. English, French and Italian are, in lesser or greater degree, widespread languages within the country .
Culture
Argentina's cultural roots are mainly Europeans and that is clearly reflected in its architecture, music, literature and lifestyle. It has an intense cultural activity. It is seen in the festivities, expositions, cinemas, theatres, and concerts that take place in the principal cities. Buenos Aires has approximately 100 cinemas and 90 theatres with a great diversity of spectacles that turn it into one of the cities with the major theatrical activity in Latin America In the Borges, Recoleta y General San Martín cultural centres the cultural dynamics of the country and the world are exposed. The Colon Theatre, which is among the best three lyrical theatres, stands out for its arquitecture and its perfect acoustics. It is visited by the most outstanding personalities of the classical music, ballet and drama of the world. Other important theatres are the National Cervantes and the Municipal Gral. San Martín Theatres. Painting and Sculpture are given great importance. This is reflected in the prestigious art galleries existing in the principal cities of the country. The characteristic music of the city of Buenos Aires is the world-famous tango. Folklore includes several and varied rythms and styles according to the different regions of the country.
The typical Argentine food is asado (barbecue: meat cooked over live coals), apart from empanadas ( a sort of turnover meat pie or pastry that comes with a variety of other stuffings), tamales ( a dish made of corn meal, chicken or meat wrapped in corn husks), humita (dish made of grated corn, sweet peppers and tomatoes wrapped in the green leaves of corn) and locro ( dish made of meat, potato, pumpkin, corn and sweet pepper). However, and due to the important migrating current that populated the country, there exists a quite varied international cuisine: Spanish, Italian, French, German, Scandinavian, Greek, English, Sweddish, Hungarian, Dutch, Chilean, Mexican, Basque, Jewish, Russian, Ukranian, Chinese, Japanese, Thailander and Arabian. Our country characteristic drink is mate (infusion). The quality of its wines and meats is worldly known and the new Argentine cuisine has reached an international level standing out due to its qualified chefs.
Sports
Even though several sports are practiced, football is the most outstanding one. In the city of Buenos Aires there are a large number of stadiums, some of them with a capacity of more than 40.000 people. Other important sports practiced by a large number of people are: polo, tennis, rugby, hockey, volleyball, basketball, motorsports, golf, water sports and beach sports.
Religion
The official religion of Argentina is the Apostolic Roman Catholic, but there is complete religious freedom. Other religions practiced, in a lesser degree though, are Protestantism, Judaism, Islamism, and the Greek and Russian Orthodox religion among others. The distribution is as follows :
APOSTOLIC ROMAN CATHOLIC 93 %
PROTESTANT 2.5 %
JEWISH 2 %
OTHER RELIGIONS 2.5 %
Currency
The Argentine Peso is the official currency. Bills come in 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 pesos. One pesos equals one hundred cents. 2 pesos are blue (Bartolomé Mitre 1821-1906), 5 pesos are green (José de San Martín 1778-1850), 10 pesos are brown (Manuel Belgrano 1770-1820), 20 pesos are red (Juan Manuel de Rosas 1793-1877), 50 pesos are grey (Domingo Faustino Sarmiento 1811-1888) and 100 pesos are violet (Julio Argentino Roca 1843-1914). Coins are 1 peso and then there are coins from 50,25,5 and 1 cents. 1 peso coins are golden and silver plated; 50 cents coins are golden; 25,10 and 5 cents coins may be either golden or silver plated. Finally copper 1 cent coins are rarely used. Banking hours are from Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Political Division
Argentina is a democratic republic consisting of 23 provinces, the autonomous Federal Capital (whose limits coincide with those of the city of Buenos Aires), the Antarctic sector claimed to be Argentine, the Malvinas Islands, and several South Atlantic Islands.
