INTRODUCTION.

Argentina is located in the most southern part of South America and consequently in the southern hemisphere. It comprises an area of about 1.75 million square miles (slightly less than one tenth the size of the US).

The country's distance end to end is 2,400 miles. Its border lines with Uruguay , Brazil , Paraguay , Bolivia and Chile covers a perimeter of 18,450 miles. The Argentine coast, on the Atlantic Ocean , is 3,200 miles long.

The largest city of Argentina is Buenos Aires. The second city is Cordoba. Other important cities are Rosario, Mendoza, Tucuman, Santa Fe and Bariloche.

The current population of Argentina is approximately 39 million. About 12 million live in the metro area of Buenos Aires. 95% of Argentinians are white and mainly descendants of Italians and Spaniards. The pure indigenous population, the Mapuches, Collas, Tobas, Matacos and Chiriguanos, only amount to 0.5%.

Spanish is the official language of Argentina . Many people speak English as second language.

The government type of Argentina is Republic. Its capital is Buenos Aires. The country consists of 23 provinces. Its independence from Spain was declared the 9th of July, 1816.

The Argentine currency is the Peso. It was on a par (1 peso = 1 Dollar) with the US Dollar up to the country's economic crisis of 2002. Today, the Argentine Peso is stable in the region of 3 pesos = 1 US Dollar.

Since it is located in the southern hemisphere, Argentina' 's seasons are the opposite to those in the northern hemisphere. And because it is such a long country, its climate is varied. The Northeast is hot and humid. The Northwest is hot and desert-like. The central region of Argentina is warm during the summer but cold in the winter. The South of Argentina is cold and a great place to find ice and snow.

Physically, Argentina could be divided into six areas. The Northeast, Northwest, Central and Southern Regions. Plus the Western Frontier and the Eastern Coastline.

The Northeast Region is distinguished by its low hills, sub-tropical jungles and marshlands. In this area, the "Iguazu Falls" are found. Among the films shot in this area, "The Mission" stands out.

The Northwest Region comprises deserts, arid hills and mountains, salt wastelands, and far-away towns and ghost villages. The "Valle de la Luna" can be found in this region. The full-feature "Highlander 2" was partly shot in this area.

The Central Region is the largest and best known area of plains, called "La Pampa". It encompasses Argentina 's main section of agriculture and livestock and includes the provinces of Buenos Aires , La Pampa, the south of Santa Fe and the southeast of Cordoba. "Evita", "Tango" and many other movies were shot in this region.

The Southern region includes the rocky plateaus of Patagonia. The Atlantic coast in this region is lined with high cliffs and forms massive gulfs and inlets like the Valdes Peninsula, with its spectacular and unique colonies of marine animals. In this area, the touristic city of Bariloche is located, with Swiss-like surroundings and popular Ski Resorts.

The Western Frontier extends from the province of Jujuy (top Northwest) to Tierra del Fuego (most southern area). It is a massive mountain chain which extends all along the border with Chile. It has the highest peak in the Western hemisphere: the Aconcagua which 22,700 feet high. This area faces marvelous landscapes; it includes the plateaus of the Northwest, the lake regions to the south, and the forests and glaciers of the Patagonian Andes. "Seven Years in Tibet" was shot in this area.

The Eastern Coastline includes beach cities and resorts like "Mar del Plata" and "Miramar" on its northern area, and impressive stone beaches, caves and high cliffs on its most southern part.

In the end, Argentina surfaced from the mixture of various cultures. It was built with fragments of Europe, Africa and North America , all combined in a beautiful country which is a never-ending source of possibilities and surprises. And this is probably only one of the many reasons why people who visit Argentina , always crave to return at once.