FACTS

Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Chile and Uruguay

Area (only Total) total: 2,766,890 sq km

Climate: mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest

Terrain: rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border

Population: 40,677,348 (July 2008 est.)

Main Language (only first): Spanish

Government type: republic

Capital (Name): Buenos Aires

Capital (Time Difference): UTC-3

Independence: 9 July 1816 (from Spain)

National holiday: Revolution Day, 25 May (1810)

Holidays

January 1 New Year Day

March 20 Maundy Thursday

March 21 Good Friday

March 24 Memorial Day

April 2 Day of the Veterans

May 1 Labour Day

May 25 Anniversary of the May Revolution

June 16 Flag Day

July 9 Independence Day

August 18 Death of General Jose de San Martin

October 12 Columbus Day

December 8 Immaculate Conception's Day

December 25 Christmas Day

December 31 Bank Holiday

Weekend Saturday, Sunday