Memo to a Tourist in Argentina
Geography, population, religion
The country occupies the southeastern part of the South American continent, including the eastern part of Tierra del Fuego, the Estados Islands and others. The Falkland (Maldives) Islands, as well as South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, are disputed territories with Great Britain. The country also lays claim to part of the Antarctic continent. In the north, Argentina borders on Bolivia and Paraguay, in the east – on Brazil and Uruguay, in the south and west – on Chile. In the east it is washed by the Atlantic Ocean. The highest point in the country is Mount Cerro Aconcagua (6,960 m, the highest mountain in South America). The total area is 2.7 million square meters. km (the eighth largest country in the world). The capital is Buenos Aires.
Population. About 39 million people. More than 85% of Argentines are of European descent and are descendants of Spaniards, Italians, Portuguese, Germans, Slavs and other Europeans. The Indian population (often already mixed with whites) makes up about 15% of the population.
Climate: The climate in Argentina varies from subtropical in the north to humid tropical in the center of the country and temperate in the south. The average temperature in summer (January) in the northern regions is +28 C, in the center about +24 C and in the south +10 C. In winter (July), respectively +18 C, +15 C and +1 C. Precipitation falls from 100-300 mm per year in the flat areas of the west of the country, up to 1400-1600 mm in the northeast and on the mountain slopes. In winter, some inland areas are prone to drought.
Language: The official language is Spanish. German, English, French and Italian are also widely used. More than 17 local languages and dialects are also used in everyday life.
Time: Buenos Aires is 7 hours behind Moscow in summer and 6 hours in winter.
Currency: New Argentine peso (P, ARS), equal to 100 centavos. Banknotes in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2 pesos, coins of 1, 2 and 5 pesos, as well as 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 centavos are in circulation. The US dollar has an almost ubiquitous, albeit semi-official, circulation. Currency can be exchanged in all banks and large shopping centers, hotels and specialized exchange offices. In large retail outlets, gas stations, hotels and restaurants in the capital, American Express, Visa, Master Card and Eurocard credit cards are accepted for payment. 1 USD = 3.44 ARS
Water: Drinking tap water is not recommended. For this purpose, buy bottled mineral water.
Electricity: 220 V. Outlets in old buildings are usually round (European), in some new buildings a “flat” socket with three pins (American) is used.
Phone: Call from Moscow: 8-10-51 (country code) +11 (Buenos Aires code). Most public pay phones work with calling cards (available from telephone company offices, tobacconists and supermarkets) or coins of 1 peso, 50 and 25 centavos (obsolete devices). Mobile communication – GSM 1900 and CDMA 800 standards.
Local population: In the capital and other large cities, where there are many beggars and “descended elements”, there is a risk of fraud (this is especially common in currency exchange). It is not recommended to leave the tourist centers alone (especially in the evening) and visit some residential areas (the division into “rich” and “poor” areas is observed very clearly here) or get into cars that do not have official taxi signs. It is recommended to follow the basic safety rules: do not carry a large amount of money and jewelry with you, do not demonstrate expensive photo and video equipment, do not leave things on curbs or benches, and so on.
Tipping: Tipping is obligatory, usually 5-10% of the bill, in expensive establishments tips are often already included in the bill.
Shops and shopping: Argentina is famous for leather products: jackets, belts, coats, bags, gloves, shoes, etc. You can also buy quality knitwear, llama wool, handmade carpets with colorful Indian motifs, antiques, jewelry with using local stones: green onyx and rhodochrosite.
Car rental: To rent a car, you need to be over 21 years of age and have an international driving license with at least two years of driving experience. All international car rental companies are represented in the country.
Customs:It is forbidden to import unpreserved food products, items and things of historical, artistic or archaeological value (without special permission). Duty-free import allowed: 200 pcs. cigarettes (or 25 cigars), 2 liters. alcoholic beverages, 5 kg. canned food, souvenirs and gifts in the amount of not more than 300 USD, items and things within the limits of personal needs. When importing the listed items in excess of the specified amount, a duty of 50% of their value is levied. The export without special permission of objects and things of historical, artistic or archaeological value, as well as weapons. It is allowed to export wool and leather products, jewelry, souvenirs within the limits of personal needs, while you need to present a receipt from the store where these products were purchased.
When exporting fur products, you will need a receipt and an export stamp.
Useful phones: Embassy of Argentina in Moscow: st. Bolshaya Ordynka, 72; tel.: 502-1020, fax: 502-1021 Russian Embassy in Buenos Aires: 1021, Capital Federal, Rodrigues Pena 1741, Republica Argentina; tel.: (8-10-541) 813-1552, (8-10-541) 813-8039, fax: (8-10-541) 815-6293
Information desk – 110, Department of tourist security – 4302-7816, ambulance and police – 101, fire department – 107.