Time difference: (Time Zones)

When it is noon in Spain is 8 hours of the morning in Argentina in winter (-4 hours) and 7 hours of the morning in summer (-5 pm)
When it is noon in Mexico are 15 hours in Argentina (+3 hours)
When it is noon in Venezuela are 14hs in Argentina in winter (+2 h) and 13 pm in summer (+1 hs)

Weights and measures: Metric (in rural areas, sometimes used the league that is equivalent to 5 Km)

Electricity: 220 V, 50 Hz

Telephones: The telephone network is of good quality.

Public telephones operate with coins, cards you can buy in kiosks and telephone companies' offices.

To call Europe, it is cheaper to call from phone booths also have Internet access (cash only)

To call from Argentina to Spain 00 + 34 + city code + telephone number, for example to get to Barcelona (Spain) 00 34 + 3 + phone number

To call from Argentina to Mexico: 00 + 52 + city code + phone number To call from Argentina to Venezuela: 00 + 58 + city code + phone number

To call from Spain, Mexico, Venezuela, etc ... Argentina: 00 +54 + city code + number. (Find an international dialing code) Currency: The currency is the peso.

Currency Conversion (Currency Conversion)

The current price is
€ 1 = $ 5,86 Ar
1 USD = $ 4,05 Ar.

Tax refund:

At the airport, you can request a refund of VAT on domestic goods purchased by an amount greater than 70 pesos in the local part in the system "golbal Refund"

Payment methods:

The euro and U.S. dollar are widely accepted and foreign exchange at banks or exchange houses.
The most commonly used credit cards are American Express, Visa, Diners and Master Card.
Traveler's checks are used, especially in Buenos Aires.

How to travel within the country?

The plane: the size of Argentina is approximately equal to six times that of Spain, 3 times that of Venezuela. Therefore, it is strongly recommended flying into the country.

The second airport in Buenos Aires, Aeroparque Jorge Newberry joins the center of Buenos Aires with the main cities:
- Puerto Iguazu 1h45
- Mendoza 1h50
- San Carlos de Bariloche 2h20
- Jump 2h00
- Ushuaia 3h20
- El Calafate 3h15
- Trelew (Puerto Madryn) 2h00
- San Salvador de Jujuy 2h10

Car rental: Major car rental companies are in Argentina, for example, Avis, Budget, Hertz ....

Arts & Culture

Argentina is a country of art, culture and good taste, and Buenos Aires is undoubtedly the most cultural city in Latin America.
Although Argentina is not a very old country, has managed to quickly forged an important cultural identity. The many waves of immigration greatly influenced European and today, the influence of European culture permeates the literature, music, architecture and more generally to art and lifestyle of Argentina.

Moreover, many Argentine artists remained in Europe on several occasions and have been transmitted to Buenos Aires many Western art movements. Argentina has the literature of international writers such as:

- Jorge Luis Borges (1899-1986), considered one of the greatest writers of the twentieth century
- Julio Cortázar (1914-1984)
- Ernesto Sabato
- Manuel Puig
- Osvaldo Soriano

Further reading:

- The Aleph Borges
- About Mario Vargas Llosa Borges
- Fictions of Borges
- Rayuela de Julio Cortazar
- Ernesto Guevara, Also Known as Che by Paco Ignacio Taibo II
- My sister Evita Duarte Erminda
- Mafalda Quino

Film

In recent years the Argentine film called amazing rebirth not only for the richness of a production that has managed to emerge but also by the emergence of a new generation of directors like Daniel Burman, Lucrecia Martel, Celina Murga, Lisandro Alonso, Adrian Caetano and Pablo Trapero. This new generation of Argentina, includes not only young people who make their first film but also to larger producers with different career paths, often linked to the political situation, as Carlos Sorin, Marco Bechis or Marcelo Pineyro. One of the best known Argentine film is the official story of Luis Puenzo, who won the Oscar for best foreign film in 1986.

To see ...

- Northeast of Juan Solanas (2005)
- Motorcycle Diaries by Walter Salles (2004)
- Good Life Delivery of Leonardo di Cesare (2004)
- Imagining Argentina Christopher Hampton (2003)
- Mission by Roland Joffe (1986)
- Tango de Carlos Saura

Music and dance

Music is omnipresent in Argentina. Indeed, international music usually heard, tango, rock, jazz, techno, classical, salsa.

The Tango is to Argentina what fado is Portugal, Greece or even Rebetiko flamenco in Spain: a musical art that reflects the soul of a town with all its authenticity. It is impossible to talk about Argentina without mentioning the Tango. The Tango is a sad thought that dances.

The origins of the Tango date back to the late nineteenth century. Buenos Aires was a city that experienced a major demographic expansion, due to immigration from many countries: Spanish and Italian but also German immigrants, Hungarians, Jews and Arabs. All of these migrants are uprooted working class, poor and with few means of communication between each other because of the language barrier and overwhelmingly male.

This time, pubs, nightclubs and houses abound in Buenos Aires closed for new born Argentine immigration. In these settings, the Tango was born between 1860 and 1880. The first courses were a trio consisting of flute, violin and guitar. Gradually, the piano replaced the guitar and bandoneon (accordion) has become the symbolic instrument of the Tango.

Then, the songs will accompany the tango but the lyrics were, in general, obscene and very ambiguous titles. Tango The musical start was accompanied by dance. At first the partners of men dancing on the sidewalks, then was banned and then reassessed and danced in the salons of high society of Buenos Aires after exportation amazing in Paris. Tango continues to grow, giving more emphasis to the song that was playing a man in the world: Carlos Gardel.

Astor Piazzolla in 1960, is the creator of Nuevo Tango integrating sounds like jazz or Brazilian sounds. Currently, there is still dancing tango in the streets and meet a new period of popularity. Cumbia, very American sounding music is the popular class in Argentina. Merry nature of dance in bars and popular nightspots most important representative is the singer Rodrigo, who died recently.

Argentina folk music is inspired largely in indigenous culture.

Many singers have excelled in this art, in particular, Mercedes Sosa (the "black"), Atahualpa Yupanqui, Leon Gieco, Eduardo Falu, among others. Chacarera is certainly the most common rhythm in these lands. The samba, not to be confused with the Brazilian samba, is originally from Salta and Tucumán in northwestern Andes. Chamamé, cheerful and danceable rhythm, is the folkclore the coast and the letters are in general in Guarani, the language of the natives of the region. The recitation is originally from the plains of Patagonia. A single guitar sings.

The country rock is very popular. In fact, in recent years many groups and artists shine on the national stage and obtain approval ratings very important The older generation of rockers would be very well represented by Charly Garcia and Luis Spinetta or Sumo. Currently, the latest artist are: Bersuit Vergarabat, Los divided, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Fito Paez, the Babasonicos, Kevin Johansen ...

Links Pages Argentine artists:

http://www.bersuit.com/index-flash.htm
http://www.laspinetta.com.ar/
http://www.salinasluis.com.ar/
http://www.kevinjohansen.com/

Gastronomy

First of all, Argentina is a country of meat. The meat quality is the result of extensive grazing of the Pampa and the animals are slaughtered very young, 18 to 36 months, ensuring tender meat. The steakhouse is an institution in Argentina. The most important feature a BBQ, wood fire, over which is cooked with the heat of the flame for two hours, meat, piglets and billy goats.

The roast is often accompanied with a salad and chimichurri Sauces · onion, garlic, pepper, vinegar, parsley and oil hot enough. Las empanadas (stuffed dumplings) are also numerous as the Argentine provinces. Are filled with meat, chicken, cheese, corn, seasoned with olive oil, tomatoes, peppers, chilies. They are excellent for use as covers or entries.

Example of a dish: the locro is a traditional dish simmered, half soup, half pot where corn mixed with beans. The different meats give its flavor: beef, pork, tripe, chorizo ​​..... A hot sauce made of onions, peppers, bell accompanies locro.

For the Argentine people like sweets and desserts and especially the dulce de leche, a milk jam is like a fudge. The sandwich cookies, small cakes filled with dulce de leche and covered with icing or chocolate are also a classic.

Argentine wine

Argentina, world's fourth largest wine has excellent wines. There Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec, chablis, sauvignons, chardonnays, etc and even: "champagne"! Quilmes beer brand is the most consumed locally. Argentina is the largest producer of wines from South America.

Since its inception in the 16 th century, the wine industry was developed to become a major exporter before the war of 1939-45. The loss of these markets as well as a decrease in consumption of Argentine wines, led to a difficult period until the Renaissance in 1980 and 1990. Mendoza at the foot of the Andes, the cradle of Argentine wine.

In recent years, high-performance wines were replaced in favor of better quality wines and the region begins to fulfill his destiny of great gathering of Latin American wines. The recovery of water from the highlands of the Andes in deposits, and new plantations at higher elevations allow the Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, highly developed strains in Argentina, get amazing results.

The widespread cultivation of Sangiovese reflects the Italian influence in viticulture in Argentina. The interest shown by foreign investors is proof of Argentina's wine potential and its ability to produce world class wines.

Mate

Mate is a healthy drink, energizing and digestive from Latin America. Its name derives from a shrub found in their natural state, in Paraguay, southern Brazil and northeastern Argentina, Ilex paraguariensis, whose leaves and stems are dried and then lightly toasted before being ground, are the 'grass mate 'ready to drink.

Consumed in large quantities in Argentina, mate is the true national drink, tonic and stimulant that is part of the daily lives of Argentines, of any social class. Mate is an herb that is allowed to stand in hot water and sweeten to taste of each. After letting it rest enough, the baby is sucking the liquid through a metal straw with a filter tip (la'bombilla '), which prevents sucking the yerba mate.

Craft

Argentine crafts change from one region to another.

Buenos Aires:
Is a representation of all the crafts of the country and in particular, with the Pampa Mates, silver lamps, leather goods as well as numerous jewelry and silver and rhodochrosite, the national stone.

La Pampa:
- Gaucho knives, bone, wood or silver.
- Mates silver or leather and silver bulb.
- Purpose and leather clothing
- Ornaments horses braided leather.

Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego:
-Jewelry, silver objects and marine mammal bones,
"Musical instruments;
-Fabrics and wool sweaters guanacos,
-Ceramics,
"Lenga wood sculptures in Ushuaia

Where:
- Fabrics with Indian motifs,
- Ponchos, sweaters in wool and guanaco

Mesopotamia:
- Ceramic - Indian masks,
- Leather goods,
- Indian objects (arcs, wooden animals, etc ...)
- Many semi-precious stones such as agate, amethyst, etc .....

Northwest Argentina:
- Rugs woven in Catamarca,
- Poncho guanaco wool,
- Alpaca wool fabrics
- Items in cactus wood (in Humahuaca)
- Ceramic cafayate black,
- Silver Jewelry,
- Rhodochrosite, Rose called national stone or stone Inca Inca
- Mates of wood, leather and silver.
- Basket of vegetable fibers and cow horns,
- Indian Musical Instruments.

Sports & Leisure

The increasing importance of football as a sport and entertainment, is a testament to the influence of Italian culture in the society in Argentina. Argentine landscapes allow a variety of sports such as skiing and water sports.

Rugby and polo are among the elite activities and skiing is gaining popularity despite its high cost.
The passion for trekking and mountaineering are delighted by the fabulous mountains of the Andes.
Rafting is also a sport that develops widely in recent years.

The Polo

The pole is the typical symbol of the bourgeoisie of Buenos Aires. In fact, many bourgeois families in the city dedicated to sport elegant and difficult. There are over 250 clubs in Argentina and Buenos Air has the most beautiful golf polo in the world with a capacity of 30 000.

Argentine Polo Some links:

Asociacion Argentina de Polo
PoloJucan
ElrincondelPolo

The famous Argentine

Borges: a man of literary fiction, a passion for mathematics, philosophy and mythology. Borges through the perfection of his language, learning and knowledge, the universality of its ideas, the originality of his fictions, the beauty of his poems, offers real treasures to honor the Spanish language and universalized.

Evita: Maria Eva Duarte, maiden name, represents the image of a new Argentine politician. During his short period of action, with her husband and President Perón, was the center of a growing power and quickly became the soul of the Peronist movement thanks to its essence and voice. Loved and hated at the same time by millions of Argentines, never went unnoticed.

Carlos Gardel: Gardel is synonymous with Tango. He was the author, composer and actor of numerous music and songs. Thanks to him, the rhythmic beat of Buenos Aires reached an air of romance and turned the whole world. Gardel was an emblematic figure in life and now, continues to unleash passions.

Quino: Great Argentine artist, father of Mafalda and numerous cartoons for decades have fascinated the world with a critical humor, intelligent and always current. Maradona, Argentine soccer player, world champion in 1986 and is unanimously considered as one of the best players of all time. The magic number 10 remains in the spirit of all the Argentines who still revere him today.

Che Guevara: Revolutionary and Latin American political leader, is the global symbol of the struggle for socialism. With its romantic look revolutionary, Che is a legend for all the young revolutionaries of the world. A true example of loyalty and total devotion to the unity of all peoples.

Fangio, known by his nickname of Master, this was the first Argentine man to win 5 championships in the Formula 1 world, now surpassed by Michael Schumacher. For many, it was the greatest driver ever. Piazzolla: Astor Piazzolla's music is without doubt one of the best artistic expressions that Argentina has given the world. When incorporating the Tango, a little jazz and classical, Piazzolla achieved extraordinary results by modernizing the pace of Buenos Aires and revolutionized the concepts established.

Did you know ...?

- Penguin or penguin? The confusion comes from the English, because it says the penguin Penguin and Penguin Razorbill. Penguins live in the Northern Hemisphere in the Arctic and penguins in the Southern Hemisphere, mostly in the Antarctic. Penguins relatives of swallows and seagulls fly! The penguins do not fly! Then in Argentina, are boobies!

- The highest mountain in the Andes and the Americas is Mount Aconcagua, located in the province of Mendoza. This volcano rises more than 6 900 m in altitude.

"Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world. Capital of Tierra del Fuego ...

"When Magellan passed in front of Tierra del Fuego, was fire kindled by the Indians, whose flames glowed in the dark. Hence the name given ... - Argentina consumes almost as much beef as the United States. Argentina has 38 million and 230 million United States ......

-Juan Diaz de Solis was the first European to reach the present territory of Argentina.

- The Avenida 9 de Julio, in the heart of the capital is the widest in the world and Rivadavia Avenue in Buenos Aires is also the longest in the world.

"The Estuary" Rio de la Plata "is the widest in the world.