Argentina

Location

• Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Chile and Uruguay
• 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 Carbón is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere; shares Iguazú Falls, the world's largest waterfalls system, with Brazil

Population

Notable Population Centers

City	Population	Note
Buenos Aires	2,891,082	Capital
Córdoba	2,106,734
Rosario	948,312
Mar del Plata	593,337
San Miguel de Tucumán	548,866
Salta	520,683
Santa Fe	391,164
Corrientes	346,334
Posadas	305,874
Bahía Blanca	299,101

Size

• 1,068,296 square miles
• 2,766,890 square kilometers
• slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US

History

In 1816, the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata declared their independence from Spain. After Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay went their separate ways, the area that remained became Argentina. European immigrants heavily shaped the country's population and culture, with Italy and Spain providing the largest percentage of newcomers from 1860 to 1930. Until about the mid-20th century, much of Argentina's history was dominated by periods of internal political unrest and conflict between civilian and military factions. After World War II, former President Juan Domingo PERÓN -- the founder of the Peronist political movement -- introduced an era of populism, serving three non-consecutive terms in office until his death in 1974. Direct and indirect military interference in government throughout the PERÓN years led to a military junta taking power in 1976. In 1982, the junta failed in its bid to seize the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) by force from the United Kingdom. Democracy was reinstated 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 successive resignations of several presidents. The years 2003-15 saw Peronist rule by Néstor KIRCHNER (2003-07) and his spouse Cristina FERNÁNDEZ DE KIRCHNER (2007-15), who oversaw several years of strong economic growth (2003-11) followed by a gradual deterioration in the government’s fiscal situation and eventual economic stagnation and isolation. Argentina underwent a brief period of economic reform and international reintegration under Mauricio MACRI (2015-19), but a recession in 2018-19 and frustration with MACRI’s economic policies ushered in a new Peronist government in 2019 led by President Alberto FERNÁNDEZ and Vice President Cristina FERNÁNDEZ DE KIRCHNER. Argentina's high public debts, its pandemic-related inflationary pressures, and systemic monetary woes served as the catalyst for the 2023 elections, culminating with President Javier MILEI's electoral success. Argentina has since eliminated half of its government agencies and is seeking shock therapy to amend taxation and monetary policies.

Climate

mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest

Terrain

rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border

Languages

Spanish (official), Italian, English, German, French, indigenous (Quechua, Guarani, Mapudungun)major-language sample(s): La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Religions

Roman Catholic 62.9%, Evangelical 15.3% (Pentecostal 13%, other Evangelical 2.3%), Jehovah's Witness and Church of Jesus Christ 1.4%, other 1.2% (includes Muslim, Jewish), none 18.9% (includes agnostic and atheist), unspecified 0.3% (2019 est.)

Government

presidential republic

• Constitution: history: several previous; latest effective 11 May 1853amendment process: a declaration of proposed amendments requires two-thirds majority vote by both houses of the National Congress followed by approval by an ad hoc, multi-member constitutional convention
• Political Parties and Leaders: n/a
• Suffrage: 18-70 years of age; universal and compulsory; 16-17 years of age: optional for national elections
• Legal System: civil law system based on Western European legal systemsnote: in 2015, Argentina adopted a new civil code, replacing the old one in force since 1871
• Executive Branch: chief of state: President Javier Gerardo MILEI (since 10 December 2023)head of government: President Javier Gerardo MILEI (since 10 December 2023)cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the presidentelection/appointment process: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by qualified majority vote (to win, a candidate must receive at least 45% of votes, or 40% of votes and a 10-point lead over the second-place candidate; if neither occurs, a second round is held); the president serves a 4-year term (eligible for a second consecutive term)most recent election date: 22 October 2023, with a runoff held 19 November 2023election results: 2023: Javier Gerardo MILEI elected president in second round; percent vote in first round - Sergio Tomás MASSA (FR) 36.7%, Javier Gerardo MILEI (PL) 30%, Patricia BULLRICH 23.8% (JxC/PRO), Juan SCHIARETTI (PJ) 6.8%, Myriam BREGMAN (PTS) 2.7%; percent of vote in second round - Javier Gerardo MILEI 55.7%, Sergio Tomás MASSA 44.3%2019: Alberto Ángel FERNÁNDEZ elected president; percent of vote - Alberto Angel FERNÁNDEZ (TODOS) 48.1%, Mauricio MACRI (PRO) 40.4%, Roberto LAVAGNA (independent) 6.2%, other 5.3%expected date of next election: October 2027
• Judicial Branch: highest court(s): Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of the court president, vice president, 2 judges, 1 vacancy)judge selection and term of office: judges nominated by the president and approved by the Senate; ministers can serve until mandatory retirement at age 75; extensions beyond 75 require renomination by the president and approval by the Senatesubordinate courts: federal-level appellate, district, and territorial courts; provincial-level supreme, appellate, and first-instance courts
• Legislative Branch: legislature name: National Congress (Congreso de la nación)legislative structure: bicameral

Demographic Profile

n/a

Economy

• large diversified economy; financial risks from debt obligations, rapid inflation, and reduced investor appetites; resource-rich, export-led growth model; increasing trade relations with China; G20 and OAS leader; tendency to nationalize businesses and under-report inflation
• Budget: revenues: $115.69 billion (2023 est.)expenditures: $139.037 billion (2023 est.)note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
• Credit Rating: n/a
• Natural Resources: fertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum, uranium, arable land
• Industries: food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel
• Agricultural Products: maize, soybeans, sugarcane, wheat, milk, sunflower seeds, barley, beef, potatoes, chicken (2023)note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
• Land Use: agricultural land: 43.4% (2022 est.)arable land: 15.7% (2022 est.)permanent crops: 0.4% (2022 est.)permanent pasture: 27.3% (2022 est.)forest: 10.4% (2022 est.)other: 46.2% (2022 est.)
• Labor Force by Occupation: n/a
• Imports
• Imported Commodities: soybeans, vehicle parts/accessories, refined petroleum, natural gas, cars (2023)note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
• Import Partners: Brazil 23%, China 20%, USA 12%, Paraguay 5%, Germany 4% (2023)note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
• Exports
• Exported Commodities: soybean meal, corn, trucks, soybean oil, crude petroleum (2023)note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
• Export Partners: Brazil 18%, USA 9%, Chile 8%, China 8%, India 4% (2023)note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports