About Argentina
This is intended as a brief introduction to Argentina and it's culture to produce a simple guide for foreingers planning to attend DebConf8 in Mar del Plata. You can help by sending your doubts about Argentina to debconf8-localteam@lists.debconf.org, they'll be answered by e-mail and the information gathered added to this page.
Geography
Argentina has an area of about 2.8 millon Km², and a population that reaches almost 39 millons inhabitants. Its climate range varies from subtropical in the North region to subpolar in the South extreme, although it's predominantly temperate.
Argentinian Currency and Economy
Argentinian currency is the Peso, which symbol is $, official exchange rate is published daily in the newspapers, or you can find it at Banco Nacion.
The bank notes in circulation are: $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100; the coins are: $0.05, $0.10, $0.25, $0.50 and $1.
See the Wikipedia page on Argentine peso for more information and pictures of actual currency.
Electricity
Type I socket
Argentina uses 220 Volts at 50 Hertz. The standarised plug is the
type I plug, also known as AS 3112, seen in
New Zealand, Australia and a few other places. In Argentina, it is
listed as IRAM 2073, although it has very little differences.
Note that some appliances that are double insulated come without
the earth pin.
Type C plug
There is
still in wide usage the type C, A.K.A. Europlug,
although it is not allowed in new appliances, nor installations.
You will find many places equipped only with this kind of sockets,
and some with a socket that is compatible both with this and the
standard plug.
The good news is that you can find adaptors everywhere for plugging into the old type C socket a standard type I plug or unearthed US (type A) plugs. Powerbars with sockets that accept type A, C, I and sometimes E and F unearthed or L type plugs are available in every hardware store. Don't expect earth connection on old installations. Other adaptors are harder to find.
More Information
VAT refund
Foreign visitors have the right to get their money back from taxes charged on purchases of products they carry to their home country. IVA (Value Added Tax) rate in Argentina is of 21%. The Global Refund check must have the customs stamp on at the moment of departure. The amount of reimbursement is the VAT amount minus a fee for administrative expenses. To know more about this benefit, please visit the local tourist information office web site.
