GeoFroggy

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Background

In 1816, the United Provinces of the Rio Plata declared their independence from Spain. After Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay went their separate ways, the area that remained became Argentina. The country's population and culture were heavily shaped by immigrants from throughout Europe, but most particularly Italy and Spain, which provided the largest percentage of newcomers from 1860 to 1930. Up until about the mid-20th century, much of Argentina's history was dominated by periods of internal political conflict between Federalists and Unitarians and between civilian and military factions. After World War II, an era 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 has persisted despite numerous challenges, the most formidable of which was a severe economic crisis in 2001-02 that led to violent public protests and the resignation of several interim presidents. The economy has recovered strongly since bottoming out in 2002.

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); diverse geophysical landscapes range from tropical climates in the north to tundra in the far south; Cerro Aconcagua is the Western Hemisphere's tallest mountain, while Laguna del Carbon is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere

Year	2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Map Reference

South America

Irrigated Land 2003

15,500 sq km

Area 2008

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 2008

Arable Land
10.03%
Permanent Crops
0.36%
Other
89.61%

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
9,861 km
Bolivia
832 km
Brazil
1,261 km
Chile
5,308 km
Paraguay
1,880 km
Uruguay
580 km

Natural Resources

Fertile plains of the pampas
Lead
Zinc
Tin
Copper

Iron ore
Manganese
Petroleum
Uranium

Argentina