Argentina

National name:
República Argentina

Government :
Republic.

Geography
Second in South America only to Brazil in size and population, Argentina is a plain, rising from the Atlantic to the Chilean border and the towering Andes peaks. Aconcagua (6,960 m) is the highest peak in the world outside Asia. The northern area is the swampy and partly wooded Gran Chaco, bordering on Bolivia and Paraguay. South of that are the rolling, fertile Pampas, which are rich in agriculture and sheep- and cattle-grazing and support most of the population. Next southward is Patagonia, a region of cool, arid steppes with some wooded and fertile sections.

Historical Background
Following independence from Spain in 1816, Argentina experienced periods of internal political conflict. After World War II, a long period of Peronist authoritarian rule 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. On April 2, 2008, farmers called for a temporary halt to the 21-day-long strike in order to enter into negotiations with the government. On July 17, 2008, the government, led by Vice President Cobos, sided with the farmers and voted against the president's proposed increase on the agricultural export tax. In November 2008, the lower house of Parliament approved President Fernandez's controversial plan to nationalize more than $25 billion in private pension funds, while Vice President Cobos continued to disagree, stating it would create doubts among investors about Argentina's investment market stability.

Capital

Buenos Aires

Government

Federal representative presidential republic

Language

(Spanish)

Religion

According to the World Christian Database Argentines are: 92.1% Christian

Literacy Rate

Today Argentina has a literacy rate of 97%, and three in eight adults over age 20

Area

2,766,890 km2 (8th) 1,068,302 sq mi

Population

40,091,359 (32nd)

Currency

Peso ($) (ARS)

GDP

estimate Total$ 632.223 billion