Mention Argentina, and people think of solitary gauchos, sultry tango dancers or maybe Madonna emoting as Evita. Or at least they used to, before those romantic icons were supplanted by television images of people looting supermarkets and banging on pots and pans during massive and occasionally violent protests. Argentina certainly has plenty to cry about, with an economy on the verge of collapse and a revolving-door government that saw five presidents in two weeks. How did this happen to a country blessed with abundant natural resources and a highly educated populace? Decades of political corruption, rampant tax evasion and ill-advised monetary policies are all to blame; the challenge now is for the country to pull itself out of the hole and avoid further chaos.

But despite its current woes, the romance of Argentina remains. The country boasts a wide variety of cultural attractions, but for many travelers, its natural wonders are the primary draw. From the northern deserts to the southern Andean Cordillera, from Iguazú Falls to the magnificent desolation of Patagonia, Argentina's geography is varied and stunning. For cosmopolitan types, there's the elegant capital, Buenos Aires. This fabulous city is renowned for its sophistication, although travelers expecting a more 'South American' experience are sometimes disappointed with its European feel. Argentina is one Latin American country where Europeans and North Americans 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 - that, or a three-hour wait at a currency exchange.

Warning

Generally speaking, Argentina remains a safe destination for travelers. Social unrest has subsided, though travelers may wish to avoid large demonstrations, which can grow violent. On the flipside, tourism - both by international travelers and by Argentines who can no longer afford to travel abroad - is on the rise.

Years of economic stagnation reached crisis levels in December, 2001, when, after several days of violent street protests left 27 dead, President Fernando de la Rúa resigned and a state of siege was declared. The value of the peso plummeted - and has stayed low - while unemployment and poverty increased. Argentina's economic woes have affected Uruguay's economy, which has particularly suffered from the decline in numbers of Argentine tourists.

Full country name: República Argentina
Area: 2,776,890 sq km (1,083,000 sq mi)
Population: 37,812,817
Capital city: Buenos Aires (pop 16 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
Head of State: President Néstor Kirchner

Major industries: Food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel, agribusiness
Major trading partners: Brazil, USA, the European Union

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