Coastal areas and seas

Argentina has 4,665 kilometres (2,899 mi) of coastline.The continental platform is unusually wide; this shallow area of the Atlantic Ocean is called Mar Argentino. The Argentine Atlantic coast has been a favorite among local vacationers for over a hundred years. The waters are rich in fisheries and suspected of holding important hydrocarbon energy resources. Argentina’s coastline varies between areas of sand dunes and cliffs. The two major ocean currents affecting the coast are the warm Brazil Current and the cold Falkland Current. Because of the unevenness of the coastal landmass, the two currents alternate in their influence on climate and do not allow temperatures to fall evenly with higher latitude. The southern coast of Tierra del Fuego forms the north shore of the Drake Passage.

Córdoba

Córdoba is a province of Argentina, located in the center of the country. Its capital, Córdoba, is the second largest city in the country.

Neighboring provinces are (clockwise from the north): Santiago del Estero, Santa Fe, Buenos Aires, La Pampa, San Luis, La Rioja and Catamarca.

Together with Santa Fe and Entre Ríos, the province is part of the economico-political association known as the Center Region.

La Pampa

La Pampa is a province of Argentina, located in Pampasach in the center of the country. Neighboring provinces in the north and then clockwise to San Luis, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Río Negro, Neuquén and Mendoza. Main river to Río Negro (province) and Salado (Salt River). The breeding of cattle is the most important division of the province, from 3 632 684 (2002) units. Other livestock to 202 428 sheep, 140 498 goats and 64 118 pigs.

Holidays

Though holidays of many faiths are respected, public holidays usually include most Catholic holidays. Historic holidays include the celebration of the May Revolution (25 May), the Independence Day (9 July), National Flag Day (20 June) and the death of José de San Martín (17 August).

The extended family gathers on Christmas Eve at around 9 p.m. for dinner, music, and often dancing. Candies are served just before midnight, when the fireworks begin. They also open gifts from Papá Noel (Father Christmas or “Santa Claus”). New Year’s Day is also marked with fireworks. Other holidays include Good Friday, Easter, Labor Day (1 May) and Sovereignty Day (formerly Malvinas Day, 2 April).

The legislation

Cases of violations and violations of Argentina may be fined or punished with deprivation of liberty. Particularly severe penalties are weighted in prison for crimes related to drug trafficking and smuggling. Argentina is currently one of the main routes of smuggling drugs from Ecuador, Colombia and Peru to Europe. For drug smuggling is punishable by very severe penalties in prison. It is vital to refrain from accepting items or bags from strangers.

Background

In Patagonia awaits the visitor a wide, rugged escarpment with unspoiled landscape, diverse nature. Glaciers, canyons, to the Alps-like mountain areas, bizarre volcanoes and a constant wind blows give this region a special character.

A visit to this region is still an adventure. The region is very sparsely populated – at a square kilometer is still less than a man. In many places it is on its own, the best course terrain vehicle dependent.

The coastal towns and river valleys have some in the 20th Century contrast, is undergoing a rapid boom, with a high population growth. This was one of the growing importance of oil production in Zentralpatagonien, and of agriculture in the irrigated river valleys of Rio Negro and Chubut River. But lately, it was mainly the prospect of tourism to the region this development brought. The example of the small town of El Calafate, near the famous Los Glaciares National Park confirmed, in 1990 slightly more than 2,000 residents had and today has grown to 18,000. Especially the economic crisis in 2001-2002, in which one of the few chances to escape unemployment hope for big business with foreign tourists had pushed many young people in this area, many of whom also success with its hotels and travel agencies had.

Politics of Argentina

Politics of Argentina takes place in a framework of a federal presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Argentina is both head of state and head of government, and of a multi-party system.

Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of parliament. The Judiciary is, in theory, independent of the executive and the legislature.

Etymology

The name Argentina (from Latin argentum: silver) was first used extensively in the 1612 book Historia del descubrimiento, población, y conquista del Río de la Plata (History of the discovery, population, and conquest of the Río de la Plata) by Ruy Díaz de Guzmán, naming the territory Tierra Argentina (Land of Silver).

When to Go

For residents of the Northern Hemisphere, Argentina offers travelers the possibility of enjoying two summers in one year, but the country’s great variety and elongated geography means visiting is pleasant during any season. Patagonian destinations, such as the Moreno Glacier in Santa Cruz, are best visited in the summer months (December to February ) when the weather’s milder and more services are available. Outside this time, services thin out and public transport becomes trickier. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Buenos Aires (the summer is hot and humid). Mendoza, Córdoba and the Lake District are all spectacular in autumn, when the leaves are fiery reds and yellows, the temperatures are comfortable and the crowds are few.

Northern Argentina, including the Iguazú Falls in the subtropical Misiones province, is also more pleasant in the Southern Hemisphere’s winter or spring when heat and humidity are less oppressive. Ski season runs mid-June through mid-October, and the resorts are most expensive and most crowded during July and August when every porteño (person from Buenos Aires) seems to be on the slopes. The most expensive times to travel are the Argentine vacation months of January, February and July.

Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina. Buenos Aires is located on the southern shore of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent. Greater Buenos Aires is the third largest conurbation in Latin America, with a population of about 13 million.

After the internal conflicts of the 19th century, Buenos Aires was federalised and removed from Buenos Aires Province in 1880; its city limits were enlarged to include the former towns of Belgrano and Flores; both are now neighbourhoods in the city.

Buenos Aires (English: Fair Winds or Good Air (see Names of Buenos Aires), pronounced [ˈbwe.nɔs ˈaj.ɾɛs]) was originally named after the sanctuary of “Nostra Signora di Bonaria” (Italian for “Our Lady of Fair Winds”, also known as “Virgine de Bonaria”) located in Cagliari, Sardinia. In the 1994 constitution, the city was given autonomy, hence its formal name: Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires.

People from Buenos Aires are called porteños (people of the port).