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#CARD:Argentina:Background Notes
US DEPARTMENT OF STATE BACKGROUND NOTES:  ARGENTINA

August 1990
Official Name:  Republic of Argentina

PROFILE
Geography
Area: 2,771,300 sq. km. (1.1 million
sq. mi.); about the size of the US east
of the Mississippi River. Cities: Capital-Buenos Aires (metropolitan
area pop. 10.5 million). Other major cities-Cordoba, Rosario, La Plata,
Mendoza. Terrain: Varied. Climate: Varied, predominantly temperate.

People
Nationality: Noun and adjective-Argentine(s). Population (1989 est.):
31.1 million. Annual growth rate (1989 est.): 1.5%.  Density: 27.8 per
sq. mi. Ethnic groups: European 97%, mostly Spanish and Italian.
Religions: Roman Catholic 92%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 4%.
Languages: Spanish (official), English, Italian, German, French.
Education: Years compulsory-7. Adult literacy-92%. Health: Infant
mortality rate-27/1,000. Life expectancy-70 yrs. Work force:
Agriculture-19%. Industry and commerce-36%. Services-20%. Transport and
communications-6%. Other-19%.

Government
Type: Republic. Independence: July 9, 1816. Constitution: 1853.
Branches: Executive-president, vice president, cabinet.
Legislative-bicameral Congress (46-member Senate, 254-member Chamber of
Deputies). Judicial-Supreme Court.
Subdivisions: 22 provinces, 1 district (federal capital), 1 territory
(Tierra del Fuego).
Political parties:  Justicialista (Peronist), Radical Civic Union,
numerous smaller national and provincial parties. Suffrage: Universal.
Flag: Horizontal blue and white bands emblazoned with "Sun of May."

Economy
GDP (1990 est.): $70.1 billion. Annual growth rate (1990 est.): -0.9%.
Per capita GDP (1990 est.): $2,134. Inflation rate (1990 est.): 1,000%.
Natural resources: Fertile plains (pampas). Minerals-lead, zinc, tin,
copper, iron, manganese, oil, uranium.
Agriculture (15% of GNP, about 70% of exports by value):
Products-grains, oilseeds and byproducts, livestock products.
Industry (23% of GNP): Types-food processing, motor vehicles, consumer
durables, textiles, metallurgy, chemicals.
Trade (1989): Exports-$9.5 billion (US-12%): grains, meats, oilseeds.
Imports-$4.2 billion (US-21%):  machinery, fuel and lubricating oils,
iron and steel products, wood and lumber, automotive equipment and
parts, chemicals. Major trading partners-European Community, USSR, US,
Brazil.
Official exchange rate (free market since December 1989): US$1=Austral
5,210.00 (June 26, 1990).
External financing: IBRD and IDA-$887 million in FY 1989 (July 1,
1988-June 30, 1989); IDB-$12 million in CY 1989.

Membership in International Organizations
UN and some of its specialized and related agencies, Organization of
American States (OAS), Latin American Integration Association,
Nonaligned Movement, Group of 77, Latin American Economic System (SELA),
New Group of 15, and the Rio Group (formerly known as the Group of
Eight).

GEOGRAPHY
 Argentina shares land borders with Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay,
and Uruguay.  It is bounded by the Atlantic and the Antarctic Oceans.
 Extending 3,705 km. (2,302 mi.) from north to south and with an
Atlantic coastline 2,850 km. (1,600 mi.) long, Argentina is the third
largest country in the Southern Hemisphere, after Brazil and Australia,
and the eighth largest in the world.  Its topography, as varied as that
of the United States, ranges from subtropical lowlands in the north to
the towering Andean Mountains in the west and the bleak, windswept
Patagonian steppe and Tierra del Fuego in the south.

PEOPLE
 The Argentine nation has been built by the fusion of diverse national
and ethnic groups.  Waves of European immigrants arrived in the late
19th and early 20th centuries.  Today, descendants of Italian and
Spanish immigrants predominate, but many trace their origins to British
and West and East European ancestors.  Syrian, Lebanese, and other
Middle Eastern immigrants number about 500,000 and are concentrated in
urban areas.  In recent years, there has been a substantial influx of
immigrants from neighboring Latin American countries.  The native Indian
population, estimated at 50,000, is concentrated in the peripheral
provinces of the north, northwest, and south.
 The Argentine population has one of the lowest growth rates in Latin
America (l.5%).  Eighty percent of the population reside in urban areas
of over 2,000, with more than one-third of the population living in the
metropolitan Buenos Aires area. The sprawling capital, with more than 10
million inhabitants, serves as the focus for national life.  Argentines
have enjoyed comparatively high standards of living; half the population
considers itself middle class.
 More than 90% of Argentines are Roman Catholic.  Religious freedom is
allowed, although all non-Catholic denominations are required to
register with the government.  The Protestant community is small but
active.  Argentina's Jewish community of 350,000 (est.) is concentrated
in Buenos Aires.
 The Argentine educational system is compulsory for grades 1-7.  The
adult literacy rate is 92%-one of the highest in Latin America.
Literary and artistic tastes have been influenced mainly by Western
Europe and, more recently, by the United States.
 A large number of Spanish daily newspapers are published in the greater
Buenos Aires area; a dozen community newspapers are published in
English, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Polish,
Ukrainian, and Yiddish.  All the community newspapers are periodicals
except the daily English-language Buenos Aires Herald.

HISTORY AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS
 What is now Argentina was discovered in 1516 by the Spanish navigator
Juan de Solis.  A permanent Spanish colony was established on the site
of Buenos Aires in 1580.  Argentina was further integrated into the
Spanish empire following the establishment of the Vice-Royalty of Rio de
la Plata in 1776, and Buenos Aires became a flourishing port.
 The formal declaration of independence from Spain was made on July 9,
1816.  Gen. Jose de San Martin-who campaigned in Argentina, Chile, and
Peru-is the hero of national independence.  Following the defeat of the
Spaniards, a lengthy conflict was waged between centralist and
federalist groups to determine the future structure of the nation.
National unity was established and the constitution promulgated in 1853.
 In the late 19th century, two forces created the modern Argentine
nation-the introduction of modern agricultural techniques and the
integration of Argentina into the world economy. This economic
revolution was aided by foreign investment-primarily British-in such
fields as railroads and ports and by the influx of European manpower
necessary to develop Argentina's resources.
 Conservative forces dominated Argentine politics until 1916, when their
traditional rivals, the Radicals, won control of the government through
a democratic election.  The Radicals, with their emphasis upon clean
elections and democratic procedures, opened their doors of power to the
nation's expanding middle class as well as to the elites previously
excluded for various reasons.  Radical rule came to an end in 1930 at
the hands of the Argentine armed forces as they threw out aged Radical
president Hipolito Yrigoyen and, thereby, ushered in another decade of
Conservative rule.  Using fraud and force when necessary, the
governments of the 1930s were only temporarily able to contain forces
for economic and political changes that emerged with the government of
Juan Domingo Peron.
 In 1943, a military coup-led by, among others, Col. Juan Domingo Peron
(1895-1974)-ousted the constitutional government.  In 1946, Peron was
elected president.  He pursued a dynamic policy aimed at giving an
economic and political voice to the working class.  The number of
unionized workers increased significantly, which helped consolidate the
powerful General Confederation of Labor (CGT).  In 1947, Peron announced
the first five-year plan based on nationalization and industrialization.
 He was aided by his energetic wife, Eva Duarte Peron (1919-52).  She
enhanced his appeal to labor and women's groups and helped women obtain
the right to vote in 1947.
 Peron was reelected in 1952, was ousted by the military in 1955, and
went into exile, eventually settling in Spain.  In the 1950s and 1960s,
the government passed between military and civilian administrations, as
each sought to deal with diminished economic growth and continued social
and labor demands.  When the military government of Juan Carlos Ongania
(et. al., 1966-73) brought economic failure and escalating terrorism,
the way was open for a return of Peronism.
 On March 11, 1973, general elections were held for the first time in 10
years.  Peron was prevented from running, and his stand-in, Dr. Hector
J. Campora, was elected.  The Peronists also commanded a strong majority
in both houses of the National Congress, which assumed office on May 25,
1973.  Campora resigned in July 1973, paving the way for Raul Lastiri, a
Peronist Party loyalist, to assume the presidency and call for new
elections.  Peron won a decisive victory and returned as president in
October 1973 with his third wife, Maria Estela (Isabel) Martinez de
Peron, as vice president.
 Even after Peron's dramatic return, extremists on the left and right
continued to threaten public order.  The government resorted to a number
of emergency decrees, including the implementation of special executive
authority to deal with violence.  This allowed the government to
imprison persons indefinitely without charge.
 On July 1, 1974, Peron died and was succeeded by his wife, the first
woman president in the Western Hemisphere.  Mrs. Peron's administration
was undermined by economic problems, Peronist intraparty struggles, and
persistent terrorism from both the left and the right.  As a result,
Mrs. Peron was removed from office by a military coup on March 24, 1976.
 Until December 10, 1983, power was formally executed by the armed
forces through a military president and a three-man junta composed of
the three service commanders.
 The military quashed terrorists and their sympathizers, silenced armed
opposition, and restored basic order. The costs were high in terms of
lives lost and basic human rights violated.  The events of this "dirty
war" remain controversial and divisive in Argentine politics, having
fueled military discontent that produced three aborted military
uprisings against President Raul Alfonsin (1983-89).
 Serious economic problems, defeat by the British in June 1982 after an
attempt to take control over the Falkland/Malvinas Islands, human rights
abuses, and charges of growing corruption combined to discredit the
military regime, which moved to a period of gradual transition leading
the country toward democratic rule.  Bans on political parties were
lifted and other basic political liberties restored.  The military
implemented a successful and generally peaceful process for the return
of elected government.
 On October 30, 1983, Argentines went to the polls to choose a
president, vice president, and 14,000 other national, provincial, and
local officials in fair, open, and honest elections.  Raul Alfonsin,
candidate of the Radical Civic Union (UCR), was elected, winning 52% of
the popular vote.  He began a six-year term of office on December 10,
1983.  In 1985 and 1987, large turn outs for mid-term elections
demonstrated continued public support for a strong and vigorous
democratic system.  The Radical Civil Union-led government took steps to
resolve some of the nation's most pressing problems, including
accounting for the "disappeared," establishing civilian control of the
armed forces, and consolidating democratic institutions.  Its
effectiveness was hindered by constant friction with the military and
chronic economic problems.
 In May 1989, Carlos Saul Menem, the Peronist candidate, was elected
president with 47% of the popular vote and a clear majority in the
nation's electoral college.  The Peronists and their allies also won
control of both houses of the new Congress, which took office in
December 1989.  President Menem was to have succeeded Alfonsin in
December 1989, but a rapidly deteriorating economy and resulting loss of
confidence in the national government led Alfonsin to resign, and Menem
to succeed him in July.  Although the transition came five months
earlier than planned, the transfer of power was the first between
democratically elected presidents in over 60 years.
 Menem surprised most observers, including members of his own party, by
adopting economic policies antithetical to Peronism's traditional
statist approach.  He initiated economic emergency and state reform
legislation to cut government spending, increase revenues, and reduce
state involvement in the economy.  Menem has chosen to battle inflation
through conservative fiscal and monetary policies, and he has moved
quickly to privatize government-owned industries such as Aerolineas
Argentinas and the telephone company.  These policies have generated
resistance among sectors historically allied to Peronism as well as the
Radical Party.  However, the opposition remains fragmented, and the
President's personal popularity remains relatively high.

GOVERNMENT
 The 1853 Argentine constitution, similar to that of the United States,
mandates a separation of powers into executive, legislative, and
judicial branches at the national and provincial level.  Each province
also has its own constitution.
 The president and vice president are elected to a six-year single term
and cannot immediately run for reelection.  Senators are elected by
provincial legislatures (with the exception of the two senators
representing Buenos Aires, who are elected by an electoral college) for
nine-year terms, with one-third standing for reelection every three
years.  Deputies are elected for four years in alternate terms, with
half up for reelection every two years.  Cabinet ministers are appointed
by the president.  Considerable power, including a line item veto power,
is granted to the president by the constitution.
 The Argentine judiciary functions as a separate and independent entity
of the government.  The apex of the court system is the Supreme Court,
whose nine judges are appointed by the president with the consent of the
Senate.  The Supreme Court has the power, first asserted in 1854, to
declare legislative acts unconstitutional.

Principal Government Officials
President-Carlos Saul Menem
Vice President-Eduardo Duhalde
President Pro Tempore of the Senate-Eduardo Menem
Speaker of the Lower House (Chamber of Deputies)-Alberto Pierri
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court-Ricardo Levene

Ministers
Interior-Julio Mera Figueroa
Foreign Relations and Worship-Domingo Cavallo
National Defense-Humberto Romero
Economy-Antonio Erman Gonzalez
Education and Justice-Antonio Francisco Salonia
Labor and Social Security-Jorge Alberto Triaca
Health and Social Action-Eduardo Bauza
Public Works and Services-Jose Roberto Dromi
Ambassador to the US-Guido Jose Maria di Tella

Ambassador to the OAS-Juan Pablo Lohle
Ambassador to the UN-Jorge Vasca

 Argentina maintains an embassy in the United States at 1600 New
Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009 (tel. [phone]). Argentina
has consulates general in Houston, Miami, New York, New Orleans, San
Francisco, and San Juan and consulates in Chicago and Los Angeles.

ECONOMY
 Argentina has impressive human and natural resources, but political
conflict and uneven economic performance since World War II have impeded
full realization of its considerable potential.  Nonetheless, it remains
one of the richest countries in Latin America.
 Among the reasons for the military coup of March 1976 was the
deteriorating economy, caused by declining production and rampant
inflation.  Under the leadership of Minister of the Economy Martinez de
Hoz, the military government, in 1978, embarked on a new developmental
strategy to move away from the closed-economy model and establish a
free-market economy.  The strategy also featured the removal or
reduction of restrictions in the manufacturing sector and financial
markets as well as the search for foreign and domestic investment.
Despite those efforts, by late 1980, Argentina entered a period of
recession, with declines in production and real wages.  After a notable
economic recovery in 1986, economic growth again has slowed.  Argentina
has recorded successive declines in economic activity in 1988 and 1989.
 Faced with healing a scarred society, the Alfonsin administration was
slow to tackle the root causes of the economic problems.  In an attempt
to control inflation and set the country on a prudent fiscal course, in
June 1985, the government introduced a "shock" plan (the Austral Plan),
which succeeded temporarily.  Inflation in 1986 slowed to double digits
(86%) for only the second time since 1972.  But in 1987, with a
significant increase in the public sector deficit accompanied by very
large price and wage increases, inflation climbed 175% and reached 386%
in 1988.
 Another economic plan, the Spring Plan, was announced in 1988; its
collapse in February 1989 marked the start of a rapid deterioration of
the economy which was worsened by political and economic uncertainties
surrounding the May 1989 elections.  Unable to instill confidence in an
economic program, President Alfonsin advanced by five months the date of
his departure from office.
 President Menem, who took office in July, moved quickly to change
expectations and to combat rapidly escalating prices.  Inflation reached
198% in July, a Western Hemisphere one-month record.  In contrast with
earlier reform efforts, Menem's economic program includes a serious
effort to reduce the government's role in the economy.  Menem's economic
team has taken steps to reduce import barriers, slash subsidies and
transfers, and privatize public sector firms (e.g., the telephone
company and the national airline).  The International Monetary Fund
(IMF) approved a stand-by agreement for Argentina in November 1989;
however, a second bout of hyperinflation caused Argentina to fall short
of negotiated targets, and the program was revised in May 1990.
Argentina is a major debtor country; foreign debt stands at about $60
billion.  In June 1990, for the first time since April 1988, the
government made an interest payment on its foreign commercial debt.
Interest arrears on the debt are currently over $6 billion.
 The heartland of Argentina is the rich temperate plains known as the
pampas, which fan out for almost 800 km. (500 mi.) from Buenos Aires.
Argentina's richest natural resource is this farmland, producing large
quantities of wheat, corn, sorghum, soybeans, and sunflower seeds and
providing year-round pasturage for Argentina's cattle industry.  The
country is one of the world's largest exporters of foodstuffs.  The
crops and livestock of the fertile pampas have long provided it with
abundant food for domestic consumption in addition to unusually
plentiful exports.
 Agricultural products constitute the major source of foreign exchange
earnings.  In a good year, grains and oilseed harvests can total some 40
million metric tons.  The cattle industry, with an estimated 50 million
animals, provides for domestic consumption and export markets.
 Argentina exports to a variety of buyers.  In the early 1980s, the
Soviet Union became the major purchaser of grains, while, more recently,
Iran, Brazil, and China have served as major markets.  Argentina also
exports agricultural goods to the United States, primarily canned,
precooked, and frozen beef; sugar; and fruits and fruit products.
  Argentina obtains about 21% of its imports from the United States.
Total imports in 1989 were $4.2 billion, of which $9 million was from
the United States.  Capital equipment, computers and peripherals,
telecommunications, chemicals, and electronic components were the
principal items sold to Argentina.  In 1980, Argentina exported $9.5
billion worth of goods and services; $8 million (12%) went to the United
States.
 Argentina was a net energy importer in 1987.  However, it has reserves
of petroleum and natural gas and was self-sufficient in crude oil in
1989.  An effort begun under the Alfonsin administration to open the
petroleum sector to private investment and increase petroleum production
has expanded since July 1989.  In addition, significant deregulation of
the petroleum sector, including an end to price controls, is scheduled
to take effect January 1, 1991.  Argentina also has large electrical
production capacity, mostly from hydroelectric sources.  It has
indicated it wants to reduce the size and cost of the massive Yacyreta
hydroelectric project (2,400 megawatts) being jointly constructed with
Paraguay and scheduled for completion in the mid 1990s.

DEFENSE
 The armed forces of Argentina (army, navy, air force) are organized
under the control of the president, who is commander in chief of the
armed forces, and the Ministry of Defense, which is headed by a
civilian; three under secretaries are also civilians.  The joint staff,
established in 1984, is directly under the Ministry of Defense and is
staffed by officers of all services.  The joint staff is an advisory and
planning body with no operational or command responsibilities.  The
senior military officer of each of the armed services is the chief of
staff.  The paramilitary forces under the control of the Ministry of
Defense are the Gendarmeria and the Naval Prefectura (Coast Guard).
 Since the return of democratic government, the US and Argentine armed
forces have developed a growing, mutually beneficial defense
relationship through an extensive range of contacts, including
professional exchanges, visits, training, and joint exercises.  There
are modest international military education, training, and foreign
military sales programs.  Argentina has offered its Pampa trainer
aircraft as a candidate for US Air Force adoption.  The Argentine armed
forces also maintain defense cooperation and military supply
relationships with a number of other countries, principally Israel,
Germany, France, Spain, and Italy.  The lack of budgetary resources is
the most serious problem facing the Argentine armed forces.  Current
economic conditions and the government's commitment to reduce public
sector spending have slowed modernization and restructuring efforts.

FOREIGN RELATIONS
 Argentina pursues a pragmatic foreign policy and maintains relations
with almost all countries.  Maintaining political sovereignty and
encouraging trade and foreign investment in Argentina are major
priorities.  Relations traditionally have been closest with Western
Europe and Latin American neighbors.  President Menem is publicly
committed to improving relations with the United States and Europe,
while encouraging Latin American regional integration.
 Having settled its Beagle Channel dispute with Chile in 1984-85,
Argentina currently has only one active territorial dispute; this is
with the United Kingdom over a group of islands some 480 miles northeast
of Cape Horn. The Argentines refer to the islands as the "Malvinas
Islands"; the British call them the "Falkland Islands."  Historically,
European powers, notably Britain and Spain, made competing claims to
sovereignty over the islands.  In the early 1800s, Spanish and then
Argentine authorities administered the islands.  However, in January
1833, Britain reasserted sovereignty, and the islands first became a
crown colony and later a self-governing dependency.
 In an effort to establish its sovereignty claim, Argentine military
forces occupied the islands on April 2, 1982.  After a brief, costly
war, the Argentine forces were defeated.  Direct talks between Argentina
and the UK began in September 1989 in an attempt to reestablish normal
relations, which were severed following the Falklands/Malvinas conflict.
 The talks took place under a formula that separated the sovereignty
question from discussions on bilateral relations.  The two countries
reestablished formal relations in February 1990.  Argentina continues to
press its sovereignty claim in a variety of forms.  The United States
has taken no position on the merits of the two countries' sovereignty
claims.

US-ARGENTINE RELATIONS
 The United States and Argentina have maintained diplomatic relations
since 1823.  Both countries have sought a constructive relationship
based on reciprocal respect and understanding, but bilateral relations
often have been turbulent.
 In the 1970s, US-Argentine relations entered a particularly difficult
period.  Concerned about serious human rights violations by the
Argentine military government in the campaign against terrorism, the
United States restricted both military assistance and the sales of
military and other controlled-export items to Argentina.  Congress
prohibited both military sales and assistance.  Argentina consistently
maintained that these actions were attempts to influence domestic
politics.  In the early 1980s, better relations seemed possible as
Argentina demonstrated some improvements in human rights.  The
Falklands/Malvinas war, however, placed additional strains on bilateral
relations.  The US position on the non-use of force for the resolution
of disputes led the United States to impose new sanctions on Argentina
and to provide limited assistance to the United Kingdom in its campaign
to regain the islands.
 US-Argentine relations improved after the Falklands/Malvinas war.
Sanctions imposed during the fighting were lifted, and the United States
supported Argentine-sponsored UN resolutions on the Falklands/Malvinas
calling for renewed negotiations.
 The Argentine human rights situation and political climate improved
dramatically following the military's mid-1982 decision to return the
country to democracy.  During 1983, all remaining political prisoners
being held without trial under state-of-siege powers were released.
Also in 1983, the nine-year-old state of siege was lifted, and
restrictions on trade union activities and press censorship virtually
ceased.  Legal prohibitions on military sales were removed upon the
inauguration of the democratically elected government of President
Alfonsin in December 1983.
 Argentina maintains its independent stance in world affairs but
cooperates with the United States in resolving bilateral differences.
The countries consult regularly on hemispheric issues.  Argentina's
relatively advanced economy prompted the United States to phase out its
bilateral economic assistance program in 1971, although some training
assistance continues.  While the program existed, the Agency for
International Development (AID) and its predecessor agencies authorized
development loans and grants to finance such projects as road building,
housing, feasibility studies, and agriculture.  There are no Peace Corps
volunteers in Argentina.
 Many US industrial firms and banks maintain subsidiaries in Argentina.
Licensing agreements with local companies are common.  US private
investment totals more than $2.6 billion, primarily in manufacturing,
chemicals, agricultural manufacturing, transportation equipment, and
banking.  Several thousand US citizens reside in Argentina.

Principal US Officials
Ambassador-Terence A. Todman
Deputy Chief of Mission-Thomas A. Forbord
Counselor for Agricultural Affairs-Marvin L. Lehrer
Counselor for Public Affairs-Michael P. Canning
Counselor for Scientific and Technological Affairs-Paul Maxwell
Counselor for Political Affairs-James D. Walsh
Counselor for Consular Affairs-Barbara Hemingway
Counselor for Economic Affairs-James M. Derham
Counselor for Labor Affairs-Donald R. Knight
Counselor for Administrative Affairs-Bernard Segura-Giron
Counselor for Commercial Affairs-Rafael Fermoselle
Defense Attache and Air Attache-Col. Kenneth J. Monroe, USAF
Drug Enforcement Administration-James D. Miller
Military Group-Col. George A. Carpenter, USA

 The US Embassy in Argentina is located at 4300 Colombia, Buenos Aires
1425. The APO address for the embassy is APO Miami 34034-0001 (tel.
774-7611; 774-8811; 774-9911). n

Travel Notes
 Visas: Visas are not required of US citizens entering Argentina for
tourism for periods up to 90 days.  Visas are required for visits to
Argentina for all other purposes.
 Climate and clothing: Climate ranges from the hot, subtropical lowlands
of the north to cold and rainy Tierra del Fuego in the south.  The
seasons are reversed: the weather in January in Buenos Aires is like
July in Washington, DC; weather in July is similar to that of San
Francisco in January.
 Health: Competent doctors, dentists, and specialists are available in
Buenos Aires.  No particular health risks exist, and no special
precautions are required. Tapwater is safe.
 Telecommunications: International services are adequate; however, long
delays in placing international calls may occur due to the overburdened
system.   Most provincial cities and Uruguay also can be dialed directly
from home and business phones.
 Transportation: Buenos Aires' Ezeiza Airport is serviced by many
international carriers, with flights originating in the US, Europe, and
Latin American cities.  Buenos Aires has an extensive subway and bus
system.  Taxis are plentiful.  Outside Buenos Aires, travel by train,
air, bus, or auto.
 Time Zones: Argentina is one hour later than US Eastern Standard Time
(EST).  Daylight savings time is observed from October to April, during
which time clocks are set one hour ahead.  (###)


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