A FACTFILE SLIDESHOW ON: ARGENTINA

General Information… The Capital of Argentina is Buenos Aires The population of Argentina is 39 million people Argentina is bordered by Chile to the west; Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil and Uruguay to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south. The international airport is Ministro Pistarini Airport, Buenos Aires Life expectancy at birth: 75 years

Economic Information… Business hours: Most businesses are open Monday to Friday, from 9am to 6pm.  Banks are usually open at 10am and close at 3pm.  Commercial business hours are open daily from 10am to 8pm. Media: approximately 42 television broadcast stations, 260 AM radio stations, and 1000 FM radio stations. Education: Children start primary school at age 6 (kindergarten is optional). Public primary schools are free, but do not provide books or uniform.  Secondary school starts at age 14 and is required for five years to be able to attend a university. Economy: Based on industry (food processing, motor vehicles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel, consumer durables, and textiles) and agriculture (sunflower seeds, lemons, soybeans, grapes, corn, tobacco, peanuts, tea, wheat, and livestock).

More Economic Information… Export: $29 billion Primary trade partners: Brazil and the U.S. Imports: $13 billion Gross Domestic Product: $432.7 billion GDP per capita: $11,200 Inflation rate: 1.0%

Random Information… Climate: "Mostly temperate; arid in Southeast, subantarctic in Southwest“ Currency: Argentine peso (US $1 = 2.79 pesos) Language: Spanish, although English, Italian, French, and German are also spoken. System of government: Democracy, led by President Néstor Kirchner Telephone country code: 54 Time zone: Two hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. Electricity: Argentina runs on 220 Volts, 50 Hz National holidays: New Year's Day (January 1), Holy Thursday (variable), Good Friday (variable), Easter Sunday (variable), Labor Day (May 1), May 1810 Revolution (May 25), Malvinas Day (June 10), Flag Day (June 20), Independence Day (July 9), Death of General Jose de San Martin (August 17), Columbus Day (October 12), Christmas Day (December 25), and Bank Holiday (December 31). Religion: Roman Catholic