Location, area and boundaries

Argentina is located in South America. Its area is of almost 3.8 million km2 and it is bounded by 5 countries: Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and Chile.

Geography

The main feature of the Argentine geography is the great contrast between the Eastern plain and the impressive Los Andes range, to the West. Mendoza is Argentina's entrance door from Chile, as well as the starting point of every Aconcagua enterprise. Aconcagua is the highest peak of the American Continent: it is 6,959 m above sea level. It is located at the foot of Los Andes Range, at 700 m above sea level. It is an industrially, commercially and culturally developed city.

Tourism

Mendoza is famous for its tree-shaded roads and its "acequias" (irrigation canals), as well as for its well kept parks and its prestigious wineries and wines, which are particularly interesting for visitors coming from all over the world. As Mendoza is surrounded by Los Andes breathtaking landscapes, it is considered a unique adventure tourism destination during the whole year to take part in activities such as skiing/snowboarding, sledging, rafting, kayak, mountain climbing, trekking, photography safaris, among other activities. Calmer activities such as rural, ecological and enological (Wine Path - http://www.turismo.mendoza.gov.ar ) tourism may also be enjoyed.

Climate

Argentina presents a wide climatic variety: from November to March the average temperature is 23º C (75ºF approx.), and from June to September, the average temperature is 12ºC (54ºF approx.).

In Mendoza, winters are cold and summers are hot. The average temperature is 22ºC (71º F) in November and 8ºC (47 ºF) in July. Mendoza's climate is arid and the average annual rain amount is 250mm.

Population

Argentina's current population is composed of more than 36 million inhabitants. Almost half of them live at Capital Federal and Buenos Aires Province. These figures indicate a demographic density of 13 inhabitants per km2. 95% of Argentineans are white, as people are mainly Italian or Spanish descendents. Mendoza's population is around 1.5 million inhabitants. Is the fourth biggest city in Argentina and the most densely populated of the Western region of the country. It is neither too big, nor too small, that is why, while being very quiet its cultural, social and tourist life is remarkably active.

Language

Argentina's official language is Spanish.

Religion

Roman Catholicism is the official religion, though there is absolute freedom of worship. There are also large Protestant, Jewish and Islamic communities as well as some Orthodox Greek and Russian Religion groups.

Entrance formalities

Passport in force with or without a visa, depending on the country of origin. Ask for information at your nearest consulate or embassy. Visitors coming from non-bordering nations shall not pay for any tax related to hand luggage or new items costing less than U$S 300 or the additional U$S 300 if they were bought at an authorized "duty free shop" within the Argentine territory. No vaccination is required to enter the country.

(*) part of this information has been obtained from Secretaría de Turismo de la Nación's (National Tourism Office) web page.