You hear plenty of talk about gauchos and the tango when you mention Argentina, but for many travelers it's the country's natural wonders that are the primary attraction. They range from the northern deserts to the southern Andean cordillera and from Iguazú Falls to the magnificent desolation of Patagonia. On top of this there's the capital Buenos Aires - a fabulous city either renowned for its sophistication or derided for its derivative neo-European culture, depending on which way you choose to look at such things.
In fact, the overwhelming feature of Argentina's largely immigrant population is the degree to which the cultural traits of Europe have remained intact during their transposition to the so-called New World. For such reasons, Argentina is one Latin American country in which Europeans, North Americans and Anglophones can feel at ease and travel relatively inconspicuously. An interest in soccer and some nimble foot skills may be all you need to feel like a local.
Full country name: República Argentina

Area: 2,776,890 sq km (1,083,000 sq mi)
Population: 36,956,000
Capital city: Buenos Aires (pop 12 million)
People: 85% European descent, 15% mestizo, Indian and other minorities
Language: American Spanish, plus 17 indigenous languages
Religion: 93% Roman Catholic, 2.5% Protestant, 2% Jewish, 1.5% Ukranian Catholic, 1% Armenian Orthodox
Government: Republic
President: Fernando de la Rúa

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