Living in Argentina

Argentina

Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is a unique mixture of a European Capital with a strong Latin character. Its many attractions are reflected throughout the different neighbourhoods that form part of this big metropolis: Puerto Madero, La Boca, San Telmo. Recoleta and Palermo, among others. If you wish to take a closer look at Buenos Aires we recommend that you focus on the Downtown core and immediate areas as well as the Northern Suburbs. Naturally, as time allows you may wish to expand out, but the two noted areas will give you a good glimpse of this large metropolis.

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Climate

The Argentine Republic, with its 3.757.407 Km2 (1,450,736 sq.miles) of surface, is located in the meridian hemisphere in respect to the Equator, it is crossed by the Tropic of Capricorn in the Continental American region and by the Antarctic Polar Circle in Antarctic. In respect to the Greenwich Meridian it is located in the western hemisphere. A consequence of this is the wide variety of climates that the country offers, from tropical and subtropical warm climate in the north, to polar cold in Antarctica. Apart from the American and Antarctic portions, the Argentine Republic also has an oceanic portion, composed by some islands, the bottom of the ocean and the oceanic mass, as established by the Convention of the Sea in 1982

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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. English is often understood by storekeepers and businesspeople operating in Buenos Aires. The language is mandatory in high school education.

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.

Currency

The official Argentine currency is the Peso. There are bills of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 pesos, and coins of 1 peso and 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents. The Argentina peso floats freely and at this point 1 US$ = 3.10 $. The exchange rate has had relatively little volatility over the last years.

GOVERMENT AND CONSTITUTION

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…

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TWO IMPORTANT DATES

May 25, 1810. The first "Gobierno Patrio" or National Government Assembly of Argentina 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"

Capital

The capital is the city of Buenos Aires, located on the River Plate, surrounded by the province of Buenos Aires. It´s population is 3 million and the population of the Greater Metropolitan area is 12 million.

Time Zone

Argentina has only one time zone, and it is four hours behind GMT

DOCUMENTS AND FORMALITIES

Valid passport with or without visa depending on your nationality. Inquire at the closest Embassy or Consulate. Visitors coming from countries not bordering Argentina are exempt from all taxes on travelling articles and new articles up to US$ 300 and an additional US$ 300, if purchased at duty free shops within the national territory. No vaccination certificate is required to enter the country…

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VAT return

At the airport you may obtain a VAT reimbursement corresponding to any purchases made within the country for an amount over $70 (per invoice) and in shops operating with the "Global Refund" system.

PAYMENT METHODS

Although US Dollars are generally taken everywhere, foreign currencies can be exchanged in banks and authorized bureaus. American Express, VISA, Diners and Master Card are widely accepted. There may be difficulties in changing travelers check outside Buenos Aires.

OPENING HOURS

Banks and Exchange Bureaus: Mondays to Fridays from 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. Business Offices: generally from 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. and from 2.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. Stores: in the big cities from 9.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m., although in the outskirts and the provinces they generally close at midday. Saturdays, from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. Cafés, cake shops and pizzerias: open most of the time except between 2.00 and 6.00 a.m. Restaurants: lunch is served as from 12.30 p.m. and dinner as from 8.30 hours. Fast-food menus are served in many restaurants at all times.

Tips

10% of the amount of the check is usually left in cafeterias and restaurants. Doormen, porters, and ushers in cinemas and theatres are also generally tipped.

GETTING TO ARGENTINA

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: Tel. 4480-9538). Please note that when leaving the country, a US$ 30.50 tax must be paid. Company Manuel Tienda León (Av. Santa Fe 790, Tel. 4314-3636) and Transfer Express (Florida 1045, Tel. 4312-8883) offer a bus service from their offices in Buenos Aires to Ezeiza airport from 5.00 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. These services cost $14 and $11 (Argentine Pesos) respectively, and the trip takes approximately 40 minutes. There are also taxis and chauffeur-driven rented cars at a price between $65 and $79. Reynolds Argentina Real Estate staff will gladly arrange for private vehicle pick up at the local or international airport. Please contact us at 5411-4794-4100.

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