Argentina
A South America country, Argentina is situated between the Andes in
the west and the southern Atlantic Ocean in the east and south. This
second largest country of South America is bordered by Chile to the
west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay
and Brazil to the north and northeast. Deriving its name from the
Latin argentum meaning silver, Argentina is divided into four main
geographical areas: the Andes, the Pampas, the North and Mesopotamia,
and Patagonia.
The year 1816 witnessed the independence of the United Provinces of
the Rio Plata from Spain. Consequently Bolivia, Uruguay and Paraguay
became separate entities while the area that remained came to be known
as Argentina.
Till the middle of the 20th century, much of Argentina's history was
dominated by tumults of internal political strife between conservatives
and liberals and between civilian and military rule.
The Second World War witnessed the rise of Lieutenant General Peron Sosa as President of Argentina who initiated the Peronista movement involving extreme nationalism and social improvement. Though he was re-elected as President in 1973, he died one year later and was followed by his wife Isabelita Peron. But her rule came to an end in a military coup in 1976.
Democracy returned to Argentina in 1983, and has continued to be the political system despite many obstacles. The country has withstood the formidable challenge of a severe economic crisis in 2001-02 that saw violent public unrest and demonstrations. Since 2003, the country has been successful in maintaining rapid economic recovery.
A land of paradoxes, Argentina boasts a culture that has been heavily influenced by immigrants from throughout Europe. Italian and Spaniards constitute the bulk of population. The culture of the country is as varied as its geography. One reason can be hot while other cold in the same season. However one common thread that binds the nation is football, the national obsession.
Travel overview
Argentina is a country of mind-blowing natural beauty and proportions.
Its varied topography spans the most incredible terrain from Antarctica,
through the wild mountains of Patagonia and large open plains of La
Pampas to tropical jungles and the deserts in the north.
The capital of Argentina is Buenos Aires. Home to 40 per cent of the
country’s population, the city has quaint cobbled streets. Visit
the sidewalk restaurants and cafés which are abundant in the
capital. Rio de la Plata, situated in the east of the country is arguably
the most European city in South America. The Pamaps region starts
behind Buenos Aires. You can visit the towns dating back to colonial
era. Offering wonderful outdoor opportunities, the Andes mountain
ranges are worth a visit for the adventure enthusiasts. The area around
Ushuaia, southern most city of the country, attracts the lovers of
nature and wildlife.
One of the popular travel destinations in South America, Argentina
is home to a wide range of tourist attractions that include Cerro
Aconcagua, the highest mountain in South America at 6,960 m. Situated
on the Valdes Peninsula at 40 m below sea level, Salinas Chicas is
the lowest point on the continent.
You can also sunbathe at Mar del Plata’s beaches and visit the
Iguazu Waterfall and the Perito Moreno Glacier. Other attractions
include the Patagonian desert, the Puente del Inca stone bridge and
the southern island of Tierra del Fuego.
Capital: Buenos Aires
Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean,
between Chile and Uruguay
Climate: temperate; arid, subantarctic
Total Area: 2,766,890 sq km
Total Population: 40,301,927
Population Growth Rate: 0.938%
Sex Ratio: 0.974 male(s)/female
Literacy: 97.1%
Ethnic Groups: white (mostly Spanish and Italian) , mestizo Amerindian,
Irrigated land: 15,500 sq km
Languages: Spanish, English, Italian, German, French
Time Zone: UTC-3
Currency: Argentine peso
Neighbouring countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay
Type of govt.: republic
Head of Govt.: President Nestor Kirchner
Major Political Parties: Affirmation for an Egalitarian Republic or
ARI, Front for Victory or FV, Interbloque Federal or IF, Justicialist
Front or FJ, Justicialist Party or PJ, Radical Civic Union or UCR,
Republican Proposal or PRO, Commitment for Change or CPC, Socialist
Party or PS, Union For All
Participation in International Organizations: Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic
Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous
Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
Marine Life Conservation
Major Agricultural Products: sunflower seeds, lemons, soybeans, grapes,
corn, tobacco, peanuts, tea, wheat; livestock
Natural Resources & Minerals: fertile plains of the pampas, lead,
zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum, uranium
Industry & Transport: food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel
Airports: 1,381
Railways: 31,902 km
Roadways:
229,144 km
Waterways: 11,000 km
Major Trade Partners: Brazil, US, Chile, China, Germany
Exports: $46 billion
Imports: $31.69 billion
