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Argentina Vacation Apartment Rentals

Area - 2,780,400 sq km (1,073,518 sq miles). Population - 37.5 million (official estimate 2001). Population Density - 13.0 per sq km (2001). Capital - Buenos Aires. Population: 2.8 million (official estimate 2001).

Geography
Argentina is situated in South America, east of the Andes, and is bordered by Chile to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil to the north and northeast. There are four main geographical areas: the Andes, the North and Mesopotamia, the Pampas and Patagonia. The climate and geography of Argentina vary considerably, ranging from the great heat of the Chaco (El Chaco), through the pleasant climate of the central Pampas to the sub-Antarctic cold of the Patagonian Sea. Mount Aconcagua soars almost 7000m (23,000ft) and waterfalls at Iguazú stretch around a massive semi-circle, thundering 70m (230ft) to the bed of the Paraná River. In the southwest is a small 'Switzerland' with a string of beautiful icy lakes framed by mountains.

Government.
Under the amended constitution, which came into force in August 1994, legislative power is in the bicameral Congreso (Congress), comprising a 257-member lower house, the Cámara de Diputados (Chamber of Deputies), and a 72-member Senado (Senate). Members of the lower house are elected every four years by proportional representation; the senate is indirectly elected by provincial legislatures and serves a six-year term. Executive power is held by the president, assisted by a cabinet of ministers, who is directly elected for a four-year term (renewable once only).

Federal and Democratic Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1816. Under the amended constitution, which came into force in August 1994, legislative power is in the bicameral Congreso (Congress), comprising a 257-member lower house, the Cámara de Diputados (Chamber of Deputies), and a 72-member Senado (Senate). Members of the lower house are elected every four years by proportional representation; the Senate is indirectly elected by provincial legislatures and serves a six-year term. Executive power is held by the President, assisted by a cabinet of ministers, who is directly elected for a four-year term (renewable once only). Head of State and Government: President Néstor Carlos Kirchner since 2003. Recent history: The last scheduled Presidential election due in October 2003 was eventually brought forward by six months. The left performed badly, as was expected. The surprise was that Carlos Menem was eligible to stand again. With just under 20 per cent of the vote, he took second place behind the official Peronista candidate, Nestor Kirchner. Supporters of other candidates then switched their allegiance to Kirchner, simply to ensure that Menem did not return. Now facing a humiliating defeat in the second round run-off, Menem withdrew, leaving Kirchner to win by default. Kirchner's priority is the economy and the restoration of Argentina's international credibility. Measures towards this include the issue of an international arrest warrant for Menem over allegations of fraud, although these were later cancelled and he has since returned from exile.

Language
Spanish is the official language. English is widely spoken with some French and German.

Religion
More than 90 per cent Roman Catholic, 2 per cent Protestant with small Muslim and Jewish communities.

Social Conventions
The most common form of greeting between friends is kissing cheeks. When invited to somebody's house it is quite common to take a homemade dish or dessert. Dinner is usually served between 2100-2200. Avoid casual discussion of the Falklands/Malvinas war. Dress is not usually formal, though clothes should be conservative away from the beach. Formal wear is worn for official functions and dinners, particularly in exclusive restaurants. Smoking is prohibited on public transport, in cinemas and theatres.

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Lamp fittings are of the screw-type. Plug fittings in older buildings are of the two-pin round type, but some new buildings use the three-pin flat type.

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Vacation Apartments in Buenos Aires - Argentina