Location
Argentina is the second largest country located on the continent of South America
takes up almost entire southern half of South America
Geography
shaped like a wedge
bordered by Bolivia (north), Paraguay (northeast), Brazil, Uruguay, Atlantic Ocean (east), Chile (south)
highest mountain peak in Americas is Mount Aconcagua in Andes Mountains (22,841 feet)
Area
total: 2,766,890 sq km, slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US
Argentina lays claim to a section of Antarctica of about 1,235,000 sq km (477,000 sq. miles)
Capital
Buenos Aries
Population
37,384,816 (July 2001 est.)
Government
republic
federation of twenty-three provinces
one self-sustained, independent city, Buenos Aries
Money
Argentine peso (ARS)
Climate
mostly temperate; arid in southeast; sub-antarctic in southwest
Languages
Spanish (official), English, Italian, German
History
In 1816, the United Provinces of the Rio Plata declared independence from Spain
Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay went their separate ways
the area that remained became Argentina
history dominated by periods of internal political conflict between Federalists and Unitarians
also conflicts between civilian and military factions
democracy returned in 1983
Economy
maintains a relatively high standard of living
Industry
motor vehicles, textiles, chemicals, petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel, food processing
Agriculture
sunflower seeds, lemons, soybeans, grapes, corn, tobacco, peanuts, tea, wheat
Natural Resources
abundant natural resources
fertile plains of pampas
lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum, uranium
Livestock
beef, fish
Plant Life
trees: fir, cypress, pine, cedar, palm, rosewood, lignum vitae, jacaranda, red quebracho
herbs, shrubs, grasses, brambles
cacti and other thorny plants
Animals
flamingo, various hummingbirds, parrots
armadillo, fox, marten, wildcat, hare, deer, rhea, hawk, falcon, heron, plover, partridge, llama, guanaco, alpaca, condor, large variety of fish
Sports
football (soccer) most popular sport
its national team was twice World Cup champions and one-time Olympic gold champions
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