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argentina fact file

argentine embassyin uk

Website: www.argentine-embassy-uk.orgAddress: 65 Brook Street, London, W1K 4AHTelephone: +44 (0)20 7318 1300

Facsimile: +44 (0)20 7318 1301Office Hours (GMT): MonFri: 0930-1500hrs

british embassyin argentina

Address: Dr Luis Agote 2412, Buenos AiresTelephone: +54 (11) 4808 2200 switchboardOffice Hours (GMT): Mon-Fri: 0845-1430hrs

area 2.8 million square kilometres (second largest country in South America after Brazil)

population Estimated at 37.81 million

capital Buenos Aires

language Spanish is the official language

tipping A good supply of $1 bills helps with tipping of porters and doormen. 10-15% of the bill is usuallyleft in cafes and restaurants. Taxi charges are normally just rounded up. Also see the Q&A foryour chosen expedition.

opening hours Business Offices: 0900-1200hrs & 1400-1900hrs.Stores in the big cities from 0900-2000hrs, although in the outskirts and the provinces theygenerally close at midday. Saturdays from 0900-1300hrs.Restaurants: lunch is served as from 1230hrs and dinner as from 2030hrs

bank opening hours Mon-Fri: 0900-1500hrs

post office hours Mon-Fri: 0900-1700hrs

office opening hours Mon-Fri: 0900-1700hrs

time (+/- GMT) 3 hours behind GMT

electricity 220Volts & 50Cycles is standard throughout the country. The sockets are two-pronged withround pins, but are different to the two-pin European plugs.

public holidays Jan 1 - New Years Day , Easter, May 1 - Labour Day, Jun 10 - Malvinas Day, Jun 20 FlagDay, July 9 Independence Day, Aug 17 St Martins Day, OCT 12 Columbus day, Nov 1 -All Saints Day, Dec 8 - Immaculate Conception, Dec 24 - Christmas Eve, Dec 25 - ChristmasDay

telephone Telephones are available in most towns & hotels and there are mobile networks near the bigcities. Pay phones work with cards that may be purchased in kiosks and telephone companiesoffices, or with legal tender coins. There are also stores with pay phones (open 24 hours a day)where you can pay in cash. Please check with your mobile phone provider if your network &contract enable you to have coverage in Argentina.

photograph Standard film widely available but can be expensive. Since fast film is recommended in placeslike the altiplano, bring a plentiful supply with you. Watch out where you take photos: sensitiveborder areas and all military installations.

postal Relatively expensive but reasonably reliable postal service. Expect a letter to take 1 -2 weeks toreach Europe or USA.

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currency The official Argentine currency is the Peso. There are bills of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 pesos,and coins of 1 peso and 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents.

credit cards Accepted in most hotels and major shops and restaurants. Useful in emergencies. If you aregoing to use it at an ATM make sure you take your pin number with you!

travellers cheque Can be difficult to exchange. Bring in US dollars.

passport/visa UK visitors do not need visas. However, when entering Argentina, you will be asked to fill out awhite embarkation card, this is a renewable 90day tourist card. This piece of paper is veryimportant. One cannot leave the country without it however if you do happen to lose it you are

able to buy another for US$50. You must hold a full ten-year passport with at least six monthsto run from the end of your expedition. Also see Travel Tips.

gifts & souvenirs Blankets, ponchos, woollen goods, wine

vaccination& health

Nomad Travel Stores and Medical Centre advise courses or boosters in: tetanus & hepatitis A.Vaccines sometimes advised: diphtheria; typhoid; hepatitis B; rabies & tuberculosis.Malaria precautions are essential only in the far north west of the country, rural areas along theborders with Bolivia and Paraguay, all year round. Avoid mosquito bites by covering up withclothing such as long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellentson exposed skin and, when necessary, sleeping under a mosquito net. Check with your doctoror nurse about suitable anti-malarial tablets. Also see Health notes.

risks Beware of bag snatchers, pickpockets and poorly-lit areas at night.

hospitals Medical facilities are good, but can be expensive.

water Tap water in towns and cities is generally safe to drink but is often heavily chlorinated. Better tostick to bottled water, which is sold everywhere. Also see Health notes.

climate Argentina experiences a wide range of climates. The north is subtropical and temperaturesthere reach 40 oC during the months of December-February. The central pampas region, wherethe majority of the population lives, is temperate. However, summer temperatures in BuenosAires can reach 35 oC with very high humidity. Temperatures in wind-swept Patagonia rarelycreep above 20 oC while the climate in Tierra del Fuego is cold temperate.

geography The country can be split into four main geographical areas: the Andes which stretch the wholelength of the country (low to the south but high and dry in the north-west), the North andMesopotamia (principally made up of vast plains and gently rolling land) the pampa, (vast flatplains) and Patagonia which lies in the south and is an arid plateaux. It is swept by almostcontinuous winds, which are stronger in the south. To the south of the mainland is Tierra delFuego, which is cold, wet and mountainous. The Atlantic coastline of Argentina is more than2,500kms long. Argentina has the world's southernmost city - Ushaia.

culture/customs The sharing of mate , Paraguayan tea, is a ritual more than a beverage, and if offered is aspecial expression of acceptance. The leaves, a relation to holly, are elaborately prepared andthe mixture is drunk from a shared gourd.

dos & donts Do avoid public gatherings and demonstrations. Do not carry your passport with you unless changing money. Dont get involved with drugs, even possession of a small amount can lead to a minimum of

four and a half years in prison.