GeoFroggy

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Background

Following independence from Spain in 1816, Argentina experienced periods of internal political conflict between conservatives and liberals and between civilian and military factions. After World War II, a long period of Peronist authoritarian rule and interference in subsequent governments was followed by a military junta that took power in 1976. Democracy returned in 1983, and numerous elections since then have underscored Argentina's progress in democratic consolidation.

Location

Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Chile and Uruguay

Area Comparative

Slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US

Maritime Claims

Territorial sea: 12 nm

Contiguous zone: 24 nm

Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate

Mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest

Natural Hazards

San Miguel de Tucuman and Mendoza areas in the Andes subject to earthquakes; pamperos are violent windstorms that can strike the pampas and northeast; heavy flooding

Environment Current Issues

Array

Environment International Agreements

Party to: 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

Signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Geography Note

Second-largest country in South America (after Brazil); strategic location relative to sea lanes between the South Atlantic and the South Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); Cerro Aconcagua is South America's tallest mountain, while Laguna del Carbon is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere

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Map Reference

South America

Irrigated Land 1998

15,610 sq km

Area 2004

Total

2,766,890 sq km
Land

2,736,690 sq km
Water

30,200 sq km

Coastline

4,989 km

Geographical Coordinates

34 00 S, 64 00 W

Land use 2004

Arable Land
12.31%
Permanent Crops
0.48%
Other
87.21%

Terrain

Rich plains of the Pampas in northern half
Flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia in south
Rugged Andes along western border

Elevation

Lowest Point: Laguna del Carbon -105 m (located between Puerto San Julian and Comandante Luis Piedra Buena in the province of Santa Cruz)
Highest Point: Cerro Aconcagua 6,960 m (located in the northwestern corner of the province of Mendoza)

Land Boundaries

Total
9,665 km
Bolivia
832 km
Brazil
1,224 km
Chile
5,150 km
Paraguay
1,880 km
Uruguay
579 km

Natural Resources

Fertile plains of the pampas
Lead
Zinc
Tin
Copper

Iron ore
Manganese
Petroleum
Uranium

Argentina