THE CITY OF BUENOS AIRES
is the capital of the Argentine Republic and is located in the southern hemisphere, latitude 34º 36’ and longitude 58º 26’. The city extends on a plain terrain and has 202 square kilometers (78.3 sq miles). Approximately 10 millions people live in this city turning it into one of the 10 most populated urban centers in the world.

WEATHER
The climate of Buenos Aires is mild all year round. The average annual temperature is 18º C (64.4º F). Thus, visitors can enjoy walking around the city during any season. July is the coldest month. Although frosts are rare, a coat, jacket or an overcoat is recommended when going out. Cold is mild during the day in winter, but the temperature drops considerably at night. In summer, the weather is hot and humid. At night, the temperature goes down slightly allowing wearing light clothes.
Rains are more frequent in autumn and spring (from March to June and from September to December, respectively). They are usually drizzles that do not impede regular activities. In the sunny days of autumn and spring, mornings are slightly cold; the temperature rises at midday and drops again at night. During the summer season it gets dark approximately at 8 pm. and in winter approximately at 6.30 pm.
 
HISTORY 
Buenos Aires was founded twice:
The first foundation was in 1536 by Don Pedro de Mendoza, a Spanish settler. He named it Ciudad del Espíritu Santo y Puerto Santa María del Buen Ayre. The second foundation was in 1580 by Juan de Garay who named it Ciudad de la Santisima Trinidad. In the XIX century the port was the arrival point for the great migratory wave promoted by the Argentine State to populate the nation. Spanish, Italian, Syrian-Lebanese, Polish and Russian immigrants provided Buenos Aires with the cultural eclecticism that is so characteristic of the city.During the XX century, successive immigrations completed the picture of Buenos Aires as a cosmopolitan city in which people with different cultures and religions live together.

TRADITIONS 
Buenos Aires has always been an open-door city. Its inhabitants are called porteños, which makes reference to the fact that the city has a port. The Porteños are very friendly; and they could easily end up inviting someone to have lunch or dinner at their homes and prepare typical food. The characteristic infusion is the mate. It is prepared by pouring warm water into a gourd, also called mate that contains yerba mate (herbal tea). Some people add sugar, but most prefer "un amargo" (a mate without sugar)
 
RELIGION 
Argentina recognizes the freedom of worship. The official religion is the Roman Catholic Church, represented by an important number of churches. There are also other places of public worship, such as the Jewish central synagogue, the only see providing training to rabbis from all around the world, and the Mosque of Palermo neighborhood, the largest Islamic temple in Latin America.
 
MEDICAL CARE INFORMATION
Vaccination is neither obligatory nor necessary to visit Buenos Aires since the city is safe from a sanitary viewpoint. The public water supply is reliable. Public hospitals - available for tourists – offer a 24-hour emergency service, without charge. Argentine physicians are considered excellent professionals worldwide. The ambulance emergency service (SAME) is also for free.
 
SAFETY
Buenos Aires is a safe city, but as in any other big city in the world, tourists should take some precautions. For example, avoid leaving your purse or bag hanging from chairs in public places, as well as walking at night along poorly lit areas.
 
TOURIST OMBUDSMAN
If a tourist suffers some kind of abuse or discrimination, he or she should communicate with the Tourist Ombudsman, located on Ave. Pedro de Mendoza 1835- Tel. number: 4302 7816. Monday to Sunday, from 10 AM to 6 PM.