Argentina travel guide

Argentina is the second largest country in South America, stretching from the tropical jungles of its northern border with Brazil to Antarctica in the far South. As such its climate and weather conditions vary greatly from region to region. Argentina has Southern Hemisphere seasons, with mid-summer falling in December, and mid-winter in July. 
 
Spring (Sep-Nov)
The spring months bring excellent opportunities for wildlife spotting, especially so on the Atlantic coast in northern Patagonia, where southern right whales take up residence for the season along with penguins, elephant seals and a range of other marine wildlife and seabirds. The Ibera wetlands in the north are also at their best at this time of year. The transition season of spring is in fact a great time to visit most of the country, though for visits to the far South of Patagonia it’s best to leave it until late in the season.
 
Summer (Dec-Feb)
The summer months are the optimum time for visiting Patagonia, including the Lake District around Bariloche and the far South of Patagonia around the Glacier National Park, as well as Ushuaia on the southerly island of Tierra del Fuego. The north-western provinces are not the best places to visit at this time of year due to high temperatures.
 
Fall (March-May)
The fall months are a good time to visit most of the country as temperatures are not too extreme anywhere. Fall is grape harvesting season in Mendoza and for those interested in wine it is an interesting time to visit the region, both for the wine-tasting and for the beautiful fall colors of the vines contrasting with Mendoza’s almost perpetually blue skies.
 
Winter (June-Aug)
During the winter months the middle and northern parts of the country can be comfortably visited. Southern Patagonia is best avoided during mid-winter, when temperatures plummet and freezing wind, sleet and snow make it quite inhospitable in the far south. However, this is the perfect time to visit the ski resorts in the Patagonian Andes.

Population:  Approximately 40,200,000.

Size:  2,766,890 km² (the 8^th largest country in the world).

Capital city: Buenos Aires.

Languages: Spanish, plus fifteen indigenous languages, along with a little German and Welsh.

Famous for: Football, tango and steak.

Popular cuisine: Beef, pure and simple. The asado (an outdoor BBQ grill) is an integral part of Argentine culture, as well as providing the staple diet of prime Argentine beef. In the south lamb often takes the place of beef and in the north traditional Andean influences can be seen. Empanadas (a crumbly pastry case stuffed with combinations of meat, cheese and vegetables) are popular throughout the country.

Popular drinks: Red wine (especially malbec), Fernet Branca and Quilmes beer. Mate (a bitter hot, herb drink drunk through a straw from a gourd) is also an integral part of Argentine culture and is shared between friends and strangers right across the country.

National music: Tango, folkloric, rock. 

Famous Argentines: Evita (politician), Maradona (soccer player) and Che Guevara (revolutionary).

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