Full country name: Republic of Argentina
Capital: Buenos Aires
Area: 2,776,890 sq km (1,083,000 sq mi)
Population: 37,812,817
Major Industries: Food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel, agriculture.

Location
Argentina is a federal republic in southern South America. It is situated next to Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile and the Atlantic Ocean.

Climate
The seasons are the reverse of those in the Northern Hemisphere. The climate is generally temperate, though hot in the subtropical North and cold in the sub-Antarctic region of southern Patagonia. The summer is hot and humid and the temperature can go below zero in winter.   

GOVERNMENT
Argentina adopts the representative, republican and federal forms of government. People elect their representatives directly for periods of four years and can only be re-elected once. The Federal Government is composed by three (3) branches: Executive Branch, Legislative Branch and Judicial Branch.

CURRENCY
Argentina Peso (AR$)

Banking
Some of the Argentina’s banking Institutions are: Citibank Argentina, Banco Santander, HSBC Argentina, Banco de Galicia, Banco Frances (BBVA), and Banco Itaú S.A.

Most banks are open Monday through Friday from 10:00am to 3:00 pm.

LANGUAGES
Spanish is the official language, along with 17 indigenous languages.

Religion
93% Roman Catholic, 2.5% Protestant, 2% Jewish, 1.5% Ukrainian Catholic, 1% Armenian Orthodox

Shopping
Buenos Aires offers many shopping malls where you may buy the most renowned national and international articles. Most shopping malls are open until 10 pm. Some of the most important malls are: Unicenter Shopping, Patio Bulrrich, Galerías Pacífico, and Paseo Alcorta.
In Las Cañitas, Palermo Viejo, Palermo Hollywood, Barrio Norte and San Telmo, you may also shop for clothes, shoes, accessories and gifts. Most of the stores here close at 8:00 pm.

Restaurants
Some of the most popular restaurants in Buenos Aires are: Tomo I, La Caballeriza, Ayres de Patagonia, Yacht Club Puerto Madero, Sorrento, Patagonia Sur, Museo Del Jamón, Nectarine, Le Bistro, Piegari, Cabaña Las Lilas, and La Bourgogne. Argentina's food is a mix of European dishes and “gauchos” or traditional dishes such as asado, locro, carbonada, humita, tamal, empanadas, chipá, dulce de leche, and a delicious variety of regional sweets called “facturas”.

Entertainment
Concerts, festivals, theaters, cinemas, cafés, pubs, and night clubs are located in different areas of the city of Buenos Aires. Milonga, tango and folklore shows are enjoyed by people from all over the world. In Buenos Aires it is not common to dine before 9 pm, however for those who prefer to eat earlier may then go listen to music, go to the theater, do some shopping, or go to a pub in the downtown area of Recoleta.

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

Calling from overseas: 00 + 54 + the city code
Overseas calls: Dial 00
Domestic calls: Dial 0 in front of code
Reduced telephone rates: 10:00pm to 8:00am
Police: 911
Fire: 911
Ambulance: 107
National Operator: 19
Information Guide (white pages): 110

SCHOOLS

Argentina has public, private, religious (Catholic, Jewish or others), and bilingual (English, French, Germany, Italian) schools. Most school periods are from March to December. Outside of Buenos Aires, located in the northern suburbs, is Lincoln School. This is the only school that follows the American calendar.

Documents required in most of Argentinean Schools:
1. School grades certificate.
2. Birth certificate.
3. Many times, schools require an admission test.
Note: Documentation should be apostilled and translated.

IMMIGRATION PROCESS

To apply for a Temporary Residency Visa the following information is required:
• Valid Original passport used to get into the country
• Criminal Record Certificate from every country where the interested part lived during the last three years. (16 years and eldest)
• Original Birth Certificate
• Criminal Record Certificate of Argentina (18 years and eldest). Contact LARM upon arrival to coordinate.
• Address Certificate issued by Federal Argentine Police or Civil Register in Province
• 2 pictures 4 x 4 cm (colour full face photo)
• Migration taxes

Local Company:
• Pre job contract signed by the person with power of attorney to sign on behalf of the company in front of a Public Notary.
• “Inscripción en Requirentes” Certificate

All documentation issued in the foreign country should be apostilled or legalized by the Argentine Consulate. This allows the foreigner to work, live, study, and get in and out of the country without inconvenience. It takes approximately 30 days to receive the Temporary Residency Visa and is valid for 2 years.

Important Immigration Links:
• American Consulate: http://argentina.usembassy.gov/
• American Chamber of Commerce in Argentina: www.amchamar.com.ar
• Federal Police: www.policiafederal.gov.ar

HOUSING

Pricing for homes or apartments in Argentina are determined by the size and location. This is true for both renting and buying. Another factor is that apartments and houses are priced by the number of rooms, which include the living room and the bedrooms. Renting an apartment in Buenos Aires can range between US $900 and US $10,000 monthly, furnished or unfurnished.

HOLIDAYS

New Year’s Day: January 1st
Good Friday: April   
Easter Monday: April        
Labor Day: May 1st
National Day: May 25th       
Malvinas Day: June 10th       
Flag Day: June 20th
Independence Day: July 9th
Death of General San Martin: August 18th
Columbus Day: October
Immaculate Conception: December 8th
Christmas Day: December 25th

Technical Information:

Voltage: 220 volts / 50 CYCLES AC
Plugs: Many older buildings in Argentina use a round two pin plug, but many also use a flat 3 pin type.
Television System: PAL.N