All airlines flying to Argentina arrive at Ministro Pistarini (Ezeiza) International Airport, which is 35 Km away from the City of Buenos Aires. You can reach the city by Teniente General Ricchieri freeway (Information: Phone 4480-9538). Please note that when leaving the country, a US$ 30.50 tax must be paid.

Company Manuel Tienda León (Eduardo Madero 1299, Phone 4315-5115 - At Ezeiza airport: 5480-0374) offers a bus service from their offices in Buenos Aires to Ezeiza airport and back from 5.00 a.m. to 8.30 p.m.
You can take a minibus from their offices to our house, or the other way when you leave. The bus and minibus service cost $ 22 (Argentine Pesos). Or you can also take a cab at this company that will drive you directly to our home, which costs $ 54 (Argentine pesos). They are located at Ezeiza airport, just after you pass through customs.

We have worked with this company for many years and we can certainly recommend this service.




Remember that in the southern hemisphere seasons are the opposite to those in the northern hemisphere. In general, the summer is the best time to visit Patagonia and the Southern Andes because of the mild temperatures and long days. Wintertime is recommended for travelling to the North and Northwest as rains are less frequent and tropical temperatures drop a few degrees. Autumn and spring are marvelous in Buenos Aires, Cuyo and the pre-mountain range areas of La Rioja and Catamarca.




By Plane
Due to the country’s large size, planes are best to travel long distances, and you can then take overland transportation to get to your final destination. Buying Airpass Visit Argentina in your own country, you’ll obtain more economical prices for flights within Argentina. Aerolíneas Argentinas, Austral, American Falcon, Federales Líneas Aéreas, LADE and Southern Winds operate domestic flights. Domestic flights and flights to Uruguay depart from Jorge Newbery Airport, located to the north of the city beside the Río de la Plata. Airport taxes range from $ 7.05 to U$S 20.50..

Domestic flights schedule from Buenos Aires to:

		Puerto Iguazú	1 hr 45 mins
		Posadas	1 hr 30 mins
		San Salvador de Jujuy	2 hrs 10 mins
		San Miguel de Tucumán	1 hr 50 mins
		Salta	2 hrs
		Córdoba	1 hr 15 mins
		Mendoza	1 hr 50 mins
		San Carlos de Bariloche	2 hrs 20 mins
		Trelew	2 hrs
		Mar del Plata	45 mins
		Río Gallegos	2 hrs 55 mins
		Ushuaia	3 hrs 20 mins
		El Calafate	3 hrs 15 mins

By Bus
Buenos Aires bus station is located at Av. Ramos Mejia 1680 close to Retiro Station (Phone 4310-0700). Long-distance buses are equipped with toilets, air conditioning and bar.

By Train
Ferrobaires (Constitución Station, Phone 4304-0028/31/38); TBA (Retiro Station, Phone 4317-4407/45); NOA Ferrocarriles S.A. (Retiro Station, Phone 4312-9506/13); Ferro Expreso Pampeano (Once Station, Phone 4331-2702); Urquiza Railway (Federico Lacroze Station, Phone 4553-0044).

By Car (Car rental)
All international car rental companies operate in Argentina. The following companies have offices In Buenos Aires: Ai Rent a Car International (Maipú 965, Phone 4311-1000), Avis Rent a Car (Cerrito 1527, Phone 4307-5944), Budget Rent a Car (Av. Córdoba 755, 2nd, Phone 4311-9237), Dollar Rent a Car (M.T. de Alvear 449, Phone 4315-8800), Hertz - Annie Millet Rent a Car (Paraguay 1138, Phone 4816-8001), Localiza Rent a Car (Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 1120, Off. 104 “A”, Phone 4331-5444), Thrifty Car Rental (Carlos Pellegrini 1576, Loc.24, Phone 4326-0418).

Tourist information
Secretariat of Tourism, Tourist Information Centers: Av. Santa Fe 883, (C1059ABC) Buenos Aires, Phone 4312-2232 or 0800-555-0016; Ezeiza International Airport and Jorge Newbery Airport. Buenos Aires Information Centers in Pte. Quintana Avenue and J.M. Ortiz Street, Florida Street and Diagonal Norte, Carlos Pellegrini 217, Dock 4 in Puerto Madero, De la Rivera Theatre (La Boca), Retiro Bus Station, and Abasto Shopping.

Security Prevention and Tourist Assistance:
Comisaría del Turista: Av. Corrientes 436, (C1043AAR) Buenos Aires. Phone 4346-5748, 4328-2135 ó 0800-999-5000, e-mail: turista@policiafederal.gov.ar

The name Argentina
It comes from the Latin term “argentum”, which means silver. The origin of this name goes back to the first voyages made by the Spanish conquerors to the Río de la Plata. The survivors of the shipwrecked expedition mounted by Juan Díaz de Solís found indigenous people in the region who gave them silver objects as presents. The news about the legendary Sierra del Plata - a mountain rich in silver - reached Spain around 1524. As from this date, the Portuguese named the river of Solís, Río de la Plata (River of Silver). Two years later the Spanish used the same name. The National Constitution adopted in 1853 included the name “República Argentina” (Argentine Republic) among the official names to designate the government and the country’s territory.

Location, area and frontiers
Located in South America, and thus, in the southern hemisphere, Argentina has an area of almost .8 million square kilometers, 2.8 on the continent – approximately 54% are plains (grasslands and savannahs), 23%, plateaus, and the other 23%, mountains - and the remainder in the Antarctic. It is 3,800 Km. long and is located between latitude 22º and 55º. Its border with Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and Chile has a perimeter of 9,376 Km, while the territory bordered by the Atlantic Ocean is 4,725 Km long.

Geography
Argentina’s main characteristic is the enormous contrast between the immense eastern plains and the impressive Andes mountain range to the west. This is the frontier with Chile and boasts the highest peak in the Western hemisphere: the 6,959 m high Aconcagua.
From Jujuy to Tierra del Fuego, the Andes present marvelous contrasts: the Northwest plateaus, the lake region, the forests and glaciers in the Patagonia.
To the north, Chaco is a forested area linked to rivers Bermejo, Salado and Pilcomayo.
Between the Paraná and Uruguay rivers, the Argentine Mesopotamia (provinces of Entre Ríos, Corrientes and Misiones) is formed by low hills, where pools and marshlands evidence the ancient courses of these great rivers. In some places within the subtropical rain forest, there are fissures which provide such spectacular phenomena as the Iguazú Falls.
The Pampas, in the center of Argentina, is the largest and best-known area of plains. Agricultural and livestock activities are performed in this area, which includes the province of Buenos Aires, the northeast of La Pampa, the south of Córdoba and south of Santa Fe. To the south, the plains give way to small hills in Tandil and de la Ventana, and to the west, to the Córdoba hills.
Towards the south, from the Andes to the sea, there appear the sterile and stony plateaus of Patagonia, swept by the wind during most of the year. The Atlantic coast, lined with high cliffs, forms massive indentations like the Peninsula Valdés, with its spectacular and unique colonies of sea animals.

Climate
The country’s territory offers a wide variety of climates: subtropical in the North, sub-Antarctic in the southern Patagonia, and mild and humid in the Pampas plains. Media temperature from November to March is 23° C, and 12° C from June to September.
You should be prepared for a high pollen count in the pollen season in Buenos Aires if you have allergy problems.

Population
Argentina’s current population is more than 36 million inhabitants, almost half of which live in the city and the province of Buenos Aires. Population density calculated on a national basis is 13 inhabitants per square kilometer.
95% of the population is white and most are descendants of Italians and Spaniards. As a result of the massive European immigration, the white and Indian half-castes were slowly reduced and at the present they amount only to 4.5% of the population. The pure indigenous population - Mapuches, Collas, Tobas, Matacos and Chiriguanos - amount to 0.5% of the population.

Language
Spanish is the official language of the Argentine Republic. In Buenos Aires, some “lunfardo” expressions -city slang - are used.

Religion
There is complete religious freedom in Argentina, although the official religion is Roman Catholic. Other religions practiced in the country are Protestant, Jewish, Moslem, Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox and others.

Constitution and Government
Argentina consists of 23 provinces plus a federal district, the City Buenos Aires. The Argentine Constitution establishes a Republic under a representative and federal system, and three separate branches of government: executive, legislative and judicial.
The executive branch is exercised by the President and Vice-president of the Nation, elected for a 4-year term, and who may be reelected for a single additional term. The legislative branch is bicameral: the Senate (composed of three senators from each province and from the City of Buenos Aires) and the House of Representatives (composed of representatives elected directly and in proportion to each district’s population). The judicial branch “is vested in the Supreme Court and lower courts of justice”.
Each province has adopted its own Constitution in accordance with the National Constitution, to rule its administration.
The current National Constitution dates from 1853. Nevertheless, it was amended in 1860, 1898, 1957 and 1994. The last amendment made in August 1994, allows the President’s reelection for an additional term.

Two historic dates
May 25, 1810. The first "Gobierno Patrio" or National Government Assembly was constituted.
July 9, 1816. Proclamation of Independence by the “Provincias Unidas del Río de la Plata”.

National emblems
The Argentine flag has three horizontal stripes: the one in the middle is white and bears the golden sun, and the two outside stripes are light blue. The national flower is the ceibo, and the national stone is the manganese spar (rodocrosita) or "Inca Rose".

Holidays
Argentine national holidays:

		January	1St - New Year
		March/April	* Easter - Good Friday
		April	2** - Veterans’ Day and tribute to the fallen in the Malvinas War
		May	1St - Labor Day
		May	25 - Anniversary of the First Independent Argentine Government
		June	20*** - National Flag Day
		July	9 - National Independence Day
		August	17*** - Anniversary of the death of General José de San Martín
		October	12** - Columbus Day
		December	8 - Immaculate Conception Day
		December	25 - Christmas Day

* Floating Holiday.

** If the date falls on a Tuesday or Wednesday, the holiday will be effective on the preceding Monday; if it falls on Thursday or Friday, the holiday will be effective the following Monday.

*** Holiday effective the third Monday of the month.