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Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina and its largest city and port. It is located on the southern shore of the Río de la Plata (also known as the River Plate), on the southeastern coast of the South American continent. Strongly influenced by European culture, Buenos Aires is sometimes referred to as the "Paris of South America".

After the internal conflicts of the 19th century, Buenos Aires was federalized and removed from Buenos Aires Province in 1880; its city limits were enlarged to include the former towns of Belgrano and Flores; both are now neighborhoods in the city. Buenos Aires was originally called Ciudad de la Santísima Trinidad y Puerto de Santa María del Buen Aire, "City of the Most Holy Trinity and Port of Saint Mary of the Fair Wind.

Spanish seaman Juan Diaz de Solis was the first European to reach the Río de la Plata, in 1516, but his expedition was cut short by an attack in which he was killed by the native Charrúa or Guaraní tribe. During most of the 19th century, the political status of the city remained a sensitive subject. It was already capital of Buenos Aires Province, and between 1853 and 1860 it was the capital of the seceded State of Buenos Aires. Railroad construction in the second half of the 19th century increased the economic power of Buenos Aires as raw materials flowed into its factories; Buenos Aires became a multicultural city that ranked itself with the major European capitals.

The people of Buenos Aires are known as porteños (people of the port), due to the significance of the port in the development of the city and the nation. The people of Buenos Aires province (sometimes including the city‘s suburbia) are called bonaerenses. Most porteños have European origins, with Spanish and Italian descent. 

Buenos Aires is the financial, industrial, commercial, and cultural hub of Argentina. Its port is one of the busiest in the world. Tax collection related to it has caused many political problems in the past; navigable rivers by way of the Rio de la Plata connect the port to Deeply influenced by its European heritage, Buenos Aires is the site of the Teatro Colón, one of the world‘s greatest opera houses. There are several symphony orchestras and choral societies.

The city has numerous museums related to history, fine arts, modern arts, decorative arts, popular arts, sacred art, arts and crafts, theatre and popular music, as well as the preserved homes of noted art collectors, writers, composers and artists. north-east Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay. As a result, it serves as the distribution hub for a vast area of the south-eastern region of the South American continent.

Tango music was born in the suburbs, notably in the brothels of the Junín y Lavalle district and in the arrabales (poorer suburbs). Its sensual dance moves were not seen as respectable until adopted by the Parisian high society in the 1920s, and then all over the world. In Buenos Aires, tango dancing schools (known as academias) were usually men-only establishments. The city has many museums, historical buildings, shopping centres, hotels. The main tourist attractions are around the downtown area, including Plaza de Mayo, Florida Street, San Telmo and Puerto Madero.

Football (soccer) is a passion for Argentines. Buenos Aires has the highest concentration of football teams of any city in the world, with many of its teams playing in the major league. The best-known rivalry is the one between Boca Juniors and River Plate; a match between these two teams was named as one of the "50 sporting things you must do before you die" by The Observer. Diego Armando Maradona, who was born in a poor suburb of Buenos Aires and is widely hailed as one of the greatest football players ever, started his career with Argentinos Juniors and later played for Boca Juniors (he also played for other clubs, notably Italian side SSC Napoli).

Buenos Aires has been a candidate city for the Summer Olympic Games on three occasions: for the 1956 Games, lost by a single vote to Melbourne; for the 1968 Summer Olympics, which were held in Mexico City (to this date, the only Games held in Latin America); and in 2004, when the games were awarded to Athens. As of 2006, Argentina is the only founding member of the International Olympic Committee that has not hosted the games.

GO THERE FOR

The Culture – With museums devoted to virtually everything under the sun (including sacred art, popular music and several preserved houses of great writers and composers), this is an amazing place to soak up the cultural atmosphere.

The Food & Drink – There are an endless variety of restaurants in the city, offering a huge range of cuisines, but if you've been to Buenos Aires and not sampled Argentine steak you haven't really been to Buenos Aires.

The Sport – Polo, tango and football are national passion.

The Nightlife – The clubs and bars that line the city streets are some of South America's best and the scene that they belong to is one of the most exciting in the world.

DON'T MISS

Basílica de Santa Domingo - One of the city's most important and famous, churches.

Casa Rosada – The Presidential Palace, from the balcony of which Eva Peron famously implored the people of Argentina not to cry for her.

Kavanagh Building - This iconic art-deco landmark was briefly the world's tallest building when it was built in 1935.

Museo de Arte Moderno - One of South America's greatest collections of modern art, with the works of Dali, Matisse and Picasso amongst many others.

Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires (MALBA). Fantastic collections and one of top day and night restaurants in the City: Café des Arts.

BASICS
Country Code: +54
City Code: 11
Emergency Services: 911
Electricity: 220V/50Hz
Language: Spanish
Currency: Argentine Pesos (ARS)
Exchange Rate: GBP 1 = ARS 6
Time: UTC/GMT -4 hours

EZEIZA (Ministro Pistarini International Airport): General Enquiries: (54 11) 5480 2500
Address: Autopista Tte. Gral. Ricchieri Km 33,5 - (B1802EZE) Buenos Aires
http://www.aa2000.com.ar/aeropuertos.aspx

GETTING AROUND
A private transfer from the airport is quick and efficient (US 70), do call us for arrangements. We also strongly encourage you to try the VIP airport service, this will spare you the hassle of Argentine Customs. In the city the most common form of transportation is the car. Taxis are always available though we recommend you use only radio taxis or those organized by your hotel.

Argentina’s international airport is Ezeiza in Buenos Aires. The domestic airport in Buenos Aires is Aeroparque Jorge Newberry with connections to all provincial capitals and major tourist destinations.

Aerolineas Argentinas
http://www.aerolineas.com.ar
informes@aerolineas.com.ar
(0054) 11-0810-222-86527
Offices at: Avenida Leandro N. Alem 1134
Tel: (0054) 11-4130-3603
and Cabildo 2900
(0054) 11-4320-2000

LAN
http://www.lan.com/index-es-ar.html
Tel: (0054) 11-0810-9999-526
Offices at: Cerrito 866 and Unicenter Shopping

WHEN TO GO
It is always a good time to come to Buenos Aires. In January and February (summer season at its peak) you can follow the crowds to the beach  (Pinamar and Carilo towns), or cross the Rio de la Plata and rent a house in Punta del Este - the  South American Saint Tropez. Buenos Aires also has fantastic theatre options to enjoy on summer nights, but please bear in mind that some tourist attractions such as museums and entertainment venues may close during these months.
From July to August (winter season peak), fly down to the Patagonian ski centers.The city is never very cold. Most people come during spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May), both are great seasons to visit, in fact most festivals take place during these months, as do a good amount of sporting events (from September to December is the polo season).

Public Holidays and Days of Interest:
1st January – New Years Day
Variable – Holy Thursday
Variable – Good Friday
24th March - Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice
2nd April – Malvinas Day
1st May – Labour Day
25th May – Anniversary of the First Government in Buenos Aires
20th June (Celebrated on the nearest Monday) – National Flag Day
9th July – National Independence Day
17th August (Celebr. on the nearest Monday) – Ann. of the death of General José de San Martín
12th October (Celebr. on the nearest Monday) – Columbus Day
8th December – Immaculate Conception Day
24th December – Christmas Eve
25th December – Christmas Day
31st December – New Year’s Eve