Population: 35, 000, 000

Area: 1,072,754 square miles

Language: Spanish. Italian is understood by a large section of the population which have roots in Italy. Italian has a strong influence on the inflection, pronunciation and style of the Spanish spoken in Argentina.

Time: + 1 hour from New York

Electricity: 220 volts AC / 50 Hz

Geography: Argentina is a huge country (8th largest) which is bordered entirely in the west by Chile, in the north by Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil and Uruguay, to the east by the South Atlantic and to the south by the Antarctic Ocean. The northern part of the country around Salta and Jujuy is mostly high altitude and dry while the northeast in the area of Iguassu Falls is tropical and very moist. The Chaco region is fairly barren as precipitation is erratic. The Pampas are seemingly endless and are covered by huge farms many of which are larger than some countries. Patagonia and the Lake District is a dry flat area (except for the western portion adjacent to the Andes) that has little in the way of population. Here you can find sheep ranches and some orchards as well as oil. Tierra del Fuego (the Land of Fire) is a large island which is shared with Chile and is known for its unique and beautiful mountain formations and glaciers.

International Airport

Buenos Aires - Ezeiza International Airport - (BUE) - The airport is 25 long miles from downtown Buenos Aires and takes 40-50 minutes to travel. Busses operate on a very frequent basis and are not expensive. Taxis are readily available. Note that you need to sign up for a taxi on arrival. This is not the beginning of a long bureaucratic process but is done to put you in official taxis and not rogues which may not turn out very well. Even so, the taxi fare will be arround US$ 35 -40.

Tipping: Tipping is necessary. Waiters will not be paid and almost completely depend on the tips. Americans are usually very well served anticipating a 10% tip. If the services been good, make sure that the waiters get a tip. If the service has been less than expected, do leave something as they may have simply been overworked which is often the case. Ports should get 1-2 US$ for their service. Round up the fare with taxi drivers.

Shopping: Because Argentina is a country with mostly European heritage, you will seldom find "native wares" to buy. If you do, you will be in the far north above Salta where the local indians wear bolar hats as in nearby Bolivia. The best shopping in Argentina is in Buenos Aires along Florida Street where you can but almost anything. This pedestrian street has all sorts of stores, but you will not find anything even closely related to Native Americans here. In other areas of the country the selection will not be as good. Stores in larger cities like Cordoba and Mendoza stock reasonably good selections but no where near as much as Buenos Aires. In San Carlos de Bariloche you can find chocolate everywhere and its aroma wafting through the air is no help in trying to resist the temptation to indulge the passion for chocolate. Bargaining is not customary in Argentina except with the Native Americans of the north who will quote high at the outset and quickly come down in price. Beware that hotels are under a 21% tax. This could be a shock at check-out is you are unprepared.

Food and Drink: Beef! Argentina IS beef! Beef is in everything and the beef is excellent and relatively inexpensive. Restaurants will do their best in preparing it. One of Buenos Aires' dinner and late restaurants is the "Estancia" which has excellent beef including something called "parrillada" which is a mixed grill which also contains some beef parts which norte americanos are not accustomed to consuming. Be sure to treat yourself to the ice-cream. This has a strong Italian influence and is delicious. Coffee in Argentina is very heavy and often it is necessary to cut it with a little more hot water. Chocolate lovers should go for "submarino" for breakfast which includes steamed milk in which a semisweet chocolate bar has been dissolved. This is very rich and an excellent way to start the day. Alcohol is plentiful. Beers are abundant and Argentine wines are some of the best in South America.

Social: Argentines are quite hospitable. They are generally gregarious and outward and will usually be glad to give directions or show you the way. The Falkland Island War is not a good conversation subject.

Business: Business suits are expected. Dress smart not conservative. Flashy dress will get you nowhere. Argentines do not like drawn out meetings and are eager to get to the point after the preliminary niceties. Try to get business started in the morning and avoid Friday meetings and on Monday mornings as your counterpart may not be there. Appointments are necessary and be prepared to hand out lots of business cards to everyone in sight.

Currency: The Peso. The currency is pegged very close to the US$ and so very often accounts can be settled in US$ without having to exchange anything. However, do have some pesos with you to pay in those cases where venders do not accept US$.

Money Exchange: Best at banks. Note that cashing in travelers checks can be a challenge.

Credit cards: Master Card, Visa, American Express and Diners Club

Climate

As diverse as is the geographic nature of the country, so is its weather. The north and northwest is extremely dry whereas the northeast is extremely wet. Moving south, weather is far less humid and rainfall is scant in spots and very unpredictable. The pampas have the most even amount od rain. Tierra del Fuego has moderate summers and cold winters with very high wind since i s directly effected by weather patterns which come up from the Antarctic.