Argentina is a large country located in the southern part of South America, covering an area of over 2.7 million square kilometers. It is bordered by Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, and the South Atlantic Ocean. The capital city is Buenos Aires, which is also the largest city in the country.

Argentina is known for its diverse landscapes, which include the Andes mountain range, the Pampas grasslands, the arid Patagonian plateau, and the subtropical forests of the northeast. The country is also home to a variety of wildlife, including jaguars, pumas, armadillos, and flamingos.

The population of Argentina is over 45 million people, and the official language is Spanish. The country has a rich cultural heritage, which is reflected in its music, dance, literature, and art. Tango, for example, is a popular dance that originated in Argentina and is recognized worldwide.

Argentina's economy is diverse and includes industries such as agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and tourism. The country is a major producer of soybeans, wheat, beef, and other agricultural products. It is also home to important mineral reserves, such as copper, gold, and lithium.

Argentina is a federal presidential representative democratic republic, with the President serving as both the head of state and the head of government. The country has a strong tradition of democracy, but also a history of political instability and economic challenges.

Argentina has a rich sports culture, and soccer is the most popular sport in the country. The national soccer team has won two World Cup titles and has produced some of the world's best players, including Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona.

Overall, Argentina is a diverse and dynamic country with a rich cultural heritage and natural beauty.

National holiday
Revolution Day (May Revolution Day), 25 May (1810)

Telephone Code
54

Local Emergency Phone
Ambulance: 101; Fire: 107; Police: 101

Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.

Climate
mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest

Currency (Code)
Pesos (ARS); USD accepted

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, I

Major Languages
Spanish, Italian, English, German, French, Indigenous (Mapudungun, Quechua)

Major Religions
Roman Catholic 62.9%, Evangelical 15.3%

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested; additionally, if you plan to drive in Argentina, you will need an Inter-American Driving Permit issued by the AAA

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Buenos Aires; Mar Del Plata; Iguazú Falls; Bariloche (fishing, hiking, and skiing); Mendoza (vineyards, Cerro Aconcagua); Patagonia (includes Perito Moreno Glacier, Cerro Chaltén, Puerto Madryn and the Valdés Peninsula; Tierra del Fuego National Park; Qhapaq Nan/Andean Road System

Major Sports
Pato (mix between polo and basketball), soccer, rugby

Cultural Practices
Hitting the palm of the left hand with the right fist means “I don’t believe what you are saying” or “That’s stupid.”

Tipping Guidelines
Tipping is not required, but common for good service. Conventionally, 10% tips are appropriate at restaurants, and leaving the change is normal for taxi cabs. Tip hotel doormen the equivalent of $1 (USD) per bag, and hotel maids the equivalent of $2-3 (USD) a day. A 10-20% tip for tour guides is appropriate.

Souvenirs
Leather goods, wine, alpaca wool clothing, mate gourds, gaucho knives/other traditional gaucho gear

Traditional Cuisine
Asado — cuts of beef, pork, chicken, or chorizo, and morcilla (blood sausage) that are barbecued on a grill

Country code top-level domain
.ar

Geography
Area
total: 2,780,400 sq km
land: 2,736,690 sq km
water: 43,710 sq km

Climate
mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest

Natural resources
fertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum, uranium, arable land

People and Society
Population
46,621,847 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
European (mostly Spanish and Italian descent) and Mestizo (mixed European and Amerindian ancestry) 97.2%, Amerindian 2.4%, African descent 0.4% (2010 est.)

Languages
Spanish (official), Italian, English, German, French, indigenous (Quechua, Guarani, Mapudungun)

Religions
Roman Catholic 62.9%, Evangelical 15.3% (Pentecostal 13%, other Evangelical 2.3%), Jehovah's Witness and Church of Jesus Christ 1.4%, other 1.2% (includes Muslim, Jewish), none 18.9% (includes agnostic and atheist), unspecified 0.3% (2019 est.)

Population growth rate
0.8% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
presidential republic

Capital
name: Buenos Aires

Economy
Economic overview
large diversified economy; financial risks from debt obligations, rapid inflation, and reduced investor appetites; resource-rich, export-led growth model; increasing trade relations with China; G20 and OAS leader; tendency to nationalize businesses and under-report inflation

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$986.134 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$21,500 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
maize, soybeans, wheat, sugar cane, milk, barley, sunflower seed, beef, grapes, potatoes

Industries
food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel

Exports
$87.415 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
Brazil 16%, China 11%, United States 7%, Chile 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities
soybean products, corn, delivery trucks, wheat, frozen meat, gold (2019)

Imports
$72.362 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
Brazil 21%, China 18%, US 14%, Germany 6% (2019)

Imports - commodities
cars, refined petroleum, vehicle parts, natural gas, soybeans (2019)