The Republic of Argentina is situated in the Southern part of South America and is surrounded by Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia. The capital of Argentina is Buenos Aires and we have been a democratic country since 1983. We gained independence from Spain on July 9th, 1816. The Official language is CASTELLANO (derived from Spanish).

Mention Argentina, and people think of solitary gauchos, sultry tango dancers or maybe Madonna emoting as Evita. Or at least they used to, before those romantic icons were supplanted by television images of people looting supermarkets and banging on pots and pans during massive and occasionally violent protests. Argentina certainly has plenty to cry about, with an economy on the verge of collapse and a revolving-door government that saw five presidents in two weeks. How did this happen to a country blessed with abundant natural resources and a highly educated populace? Decades of political corruption, rampant tax evasion and ill-advised monetary policies are all to blame; the challenge now is for the country to pull itself out of the hole and avoid further chaos.

But despite its current woes, the romance of Argentina remains. The country boasts a wide variety of cultural attractions, but for many travelers, its natural wonders are the primary draw. From the northern deserts to the southern Andean Cordillera, from Iguazú Falls to the magnificent desolation of Patagonia, Argentina's geography is varied and stunning. For cosmopolitan types, there's the elegant capital, Buenos Aires. This fabulous city is renowned for its sophistication, although travelers expecting a more 'South American' experience are sometimes disappointed with its European feel. Argentina is one Latin American country where Europeans and North Americans can feel at ease and travel relatively inconspicuously. An interest in soccer and some nimble foot skills may be all you need to feel like a local - that, or a three-hour wait at a currency exchange.

Major Tourist Cities/Areas Information:
	Bariloche
	Buenos Aires
	Iguazu
	Mar Del Plata
	Salta