Southeastern South America.

GMT - 3 (GMT - 2 from third Saturday in March to first Saturday in October).

2,780,400 sq km (1,073,518 sq miles).

40.7 million (official estimate 2008).

14.6 per sq km.

Buenos Aires. Population: 3 million (2006 estimate).

Argentina is situated in South America, separated from Chile to the west by the long spine of the Andes. Its eastern border is the Atlantic Ocean, with Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil to the north and northeast. It can roughly be divided into four main geographical areas: the spectacular Andes mountain range, the dry North along with the more verdant Mesopotamia, the lush plains of the Pampas and the windswept wastes of Patagonia. Mount Aconcagua soars almost 7,000m (23,000ft) and waterfalls at Iguazú stretch around a massive semi-circle, thundering 70m (230ft) to the bed of the Paraná River. In the southwest is the Argentine Lake District with a string of beautiful glacial lakes framed by snow-covered mountains.

Federal and Democratic Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1816.

President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner since 2007.

Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner succeeded her husband, Néstor Carlos Kirchner, becoming Argentina's first elected female president in October 2007, with a majority of 44%. Billed as her husband's top advisor during his four-year tenure, she came to power promising more of the same centre-left populist policies that had served her husband so well. Soon however, the US claimed to have found evidence of ‘suitcase scandals' - where illegal money from Venezuela was allegedly couriered in to aid her election.

In early 2008, she took a hard line with the country's farmers, imposing export tax hikes that she hoped would be perceived as punishing wealthy landowners. But the whole agricultural sector (rich and poor) rebelled, blocking every major road in the country. This crippled Argentina's budget ‘road trip' tourist industry, and more seriously, food shortages were reported in major cities. Former Kirchner acolytes were then involved in violent actions against the protesters, bringing back horrific memories of former strong-arm governments. The tax increases were eventually overturned by a rebellious senate, and Cristina Kirchner's popularity has plummeted.

Spanish is the official language. English is widely spoken with some French and German.

More than 90% Roman Catholic, 2% Protestant with small Muslim and Jewish communities.

220 volts AC, 60Hz. Plug fittings in older buildings are of the two-pin round type, but most new buildings use the v-shaped twin with earth ping. Travellers should bring a world travel adaptor.

The most common form of greeting between friends is kissing cheeks. Dinner is usually eaten late - from around 2100. Dress is not usually formal, though clothes should be conservative away from the beach. Formal wear is worn for official functions and dinners, particularly in exclusive restaurants. Smoking is prohibited on public transport, in cinemas and theatres. Casual discussion of the Falklands/Malvinas war can seem insensitive and is best avoided.