Countries of the World - Argentina

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ARGENTINA Argentina is officially called the Argentine Republic. It is the second largest country in the world after Brazil. Countries bordering Argentina are Chile to the west, Bolivia and Paraguay to the north, Brazil to the northeast, Uruguay, and the South Atlantic Ocean to the east. Its capital and largest city is Buenos Aires. Argentina is a federal state subdivided into twenty-three provinces. The capital and each province have their own constitutions but exist under the federal system. Argentina claims sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, and the South Patagonian Ice Field, and part of Antarctica. Argentina has roots in Spanish colonization from the sixteenth century. It rose as the successor state of the viceroyalty of the Rio de la Plata, a Spanish overseas viceroyalty founded in 1776. The declaration and fight for independence lasted from 1810 to 1818. This was followed by an extended Civil War ending in 1861 when it became a federation. Afterward it enjoyed peace and stability as several waves of European immigration followed, mainly from Italy and Spain, influencing their culture and demography. Statistics Capital and Largest City – Buenos Aires Official Language – Spanish Religion – 78.2% Christianity 20.5% No religion 1.3% Other Government – Federal Presidential Constitutional Republic Legislature – Upper House – Senate Lower House – Chamber of Deputies Independence from Spain – May Revolution – 25 May 1810 Declared – 9 July 1816 Constitution – 1 May 1853 Area – 2,780,400 km2, 1,073,500 square miles Water – 1.5% Population – 2022 Census – 47,327,407 Geography Argentina’s highest point is Aconcagua in the Mendoza province, towering 6,959 meters, 22,831 feet above sea level. The lowest point is Laguna del Carbón in the San Julián Great Depression Santa Cruz Province -105 meters, -344 feet below sea level. It is also the lowest in the Southern and Western Hemispheres. Biodiversity Argentina is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. It hosts the greatest ecosystem varieties in the world. Argentina fifteen continental zones, two marine zones, and the Antarctic region in its territory. The huge ecosystem variety led to a biodiversity density that is among the world’s largest. It has 9,372 catalogued vascular plant species, 1038 catalogued bird species, 375 catalogued mammal species, 338 catalogued reptilian species, and 162 catalogued amphibian species. The original pampa had almost no trees. They imported the American sycamore and eucalyptus trees. The only native tree is the evergreen Ombú. Surface soils are known as humus, making the region one of the most agriculturally productive on earth. It is also responsible for decimating the original ecosystem to make way for commercial agriculture. The western pampas receive little rainfall. The dry pampa is a plain of short grasses or steppe. The National Parks of Argentina make up a network of thirty-five national parks. They cover a variety of terrains and biotopes. Climate Argentina has four main climate types: warm, moderate, arid, and cold, ranging from subtropical in the north and polar in the south. Economy Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, a diversified industrial base, and an export oriented agricultural sector. Argentina is the largest producer of yerba mate in the world, one of the five largest producers of soybeans, maize, sunflower seed, lemon, and pear; one of the ten largest producers of barley, grape, artichoke, tobacco, and cotton; one of the fifteen largest producers of wheat, sugarcane, sorghum, and grapefruit. It is the largest producer in South America for wheat, sunflower seed, barley, and pear. Argentina is among the ten largest producers of wine in the world. Argentina is also a beef exporter, the fourth largest behind the US, Brazil, and China. It is the fourth largest world producer of honey, and tenth in the world for wool. As for mining, Argentina is the fourth largest of lithium, ninth of silver, and seventeenth of gold worldwide. Tourism Argentina had 5.57 million visitors in 2013 and is the top-ranking tourist destination in South America and second in Latin America after Mexico. Buenos Aires is the most visited city in South America. Argentina is also known for its literature, music, theatre and cinema, architecture, mass media, cuisine, and sports. Sports Pato is the national sport, an ancient horseback game, originating in the early 1600s. The most popular sport is football. Along with Brazil and France, the men’s national team is the only one to win the most important triplet: World Cup, Confederations Cup, and the Olympic Gold Medal. It has also won 15 Copas América, 7 Pan American Gold Medals, and many other trophies. Alfredo Di Stéfano, Diego Maradona, and Lionel Messi are among the best players in the game’s history. Argentina’s women’s field hockey team, Las Leonas, is one of the world’s most successful with four Olympic medals, two World Cups, a World League, and seven Champions Trophy. Luciana Aymar is recognized as the best player in the history of the sport and the only player to receive the FIH Player of the Year Award eight times. Basketball is also popular with many medals including the Olympic Gold Medal among others. Rugby, boxing, and tennis are other decorated sports. Argentina is the reigns undisputed in Polo. They have won more international championships than any other country and have been seldom beaten since the 1930s. Historically, Argentina also has a strong showing in auto racing. Image courtesy of Pixabay. Argentinian flag.