Argentine

Argentine Republic
Flag
Motto: "En unión y libertad" (Spanish)
Anthem: "Himno Nacional Argentino"
Location of Argentina
Capital and largest city	Buenos Aires
Official languages	Spanish
Government	Federal presidential constitutional republic
• President	(Current President of Argentina)
Area
• Total	2,780,400 km2 (1,073,500 sq mi)
Population
• Estimate	(Latest population data)
Currency	Argentine peso (ARS)
ISO 3166 code	[[ISO 3166-2:AR |AR ]]

Argentina, officially known as the Argentine Republic, is a country located mostly in the southern half of South America. Sharing the bulk of the Southern Cone with its neighbor Chile to the west, the country is also bordered by Bolivia and Paraguay to the north, Brazil to the northeast, Uruguay and the South Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Drake Passage to the south. With a mainland area of 2,780,400 km², Argentina is the eighth-largest country in the world, the second largest in Latin America, and the largest Spanish-speaking nation.

History

The history of Argentina can be divided into four main parts: the pre-Columbian time or early history (up to the sixteenth century), the colonial period (1530–1810), the period of nation-building (1810–1880), and the history of modern Argentina (from around 1880). Indigenous peoples, including the Quechua, Guaraní, and Mapuche, inhabited the area before Spain's colonization in the 16th century. Argentina declared independence from Spain on July 9, 1816. Following independence, Argentina experienced periods of internal political conflict between conservatives and liberals and between civilian and military factions.

Geography

Argentina is a diverse country, both in terms of geography and climate. It ranges from the great Andes mountain range in the west to the fertile Pampas grasslands in the central part of the country. Patagonia's cold and dry steppes in the south feature glaciers and lakes. The north of the country is characterized by subtropical forests and the Iguazu Falls. The diversity of climates ranges from the temperate climate of Buenos Aires to the subtropical climate of the north and the cold subpolar climate in the southern regions.

Economy

Argentina's economy is Latin America's third-largest and is classified as an upper-middle-income economy by the World Bank. The country benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Argentina's economic performance has historically been very uneven, with high economic growth alternating with severe recessions, income maldistribution, and - at times - high inflation.

Culture

Argentina is known for its rich cultural life and has contributed significantly to art, music, literature, and sports. Internationally, it is best known for tango music and dance. The country has produced significant literary figures like Jorge Luis Borges and Julio Cortázar. Argentine cinema, including films like El secreto de sus ojos, has received global recognition. In sports, Argentina is renowned for its passion for football (soccer), with two World Cups to its name.

Government and Politics

Argentina is a federal republic and representative democracy. The President of Argentina serves as both head of state and head of government. The government is structured in three branches: the Executive, headed by the President; the Legislative, consisting of the Bicameral Congress (the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies); and the Judicial, which includes the Supreme Court and lower federal courts. The political landscape is dominated by the Justicialist Party and the Radical Civic Union.

See also

• List of cities in Argentina
• Argentine cuisine
• Education in Argentina
• Foreign relations of Argentina

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