Facts About Argentina

Argentina, which literally translated means 'land of silver' is a vast country, with great diversity in its geographical features, as well as a very rich and interesting history and culture. The official name of the country is Argentine Republic. The capital of Argentina is Buenos Aires. It is also referred to as the 'land of six continents', with the Pampas, a grassy, broad plain, forming its central region. This is the area in which the Gauchos of Argentina, akin to the cowboys of the United States, rode their horses into the folklore of the country. Given below are some interesting facts about Argentina.

• Geographical Facts about Argentina
  1. Neighbors
  2. Area
  3. Topography
  4. Climate
  5. Flora and Fauna
• Historical Facts about Argentina
• Political and Economical Facts about Argentina
  1. Government
  2. Economy
• Cultural Facts about Argentina
• Argentina Fun Facts

Geographical Facts about Argentina

Neighbors: Argentina is the eight largest country in the world by area and the largest in the Spanish-speaking countries in the world. If one has to carefully look at the map of Argentina, it is seen, that the country has a triangular shape. It is located in the southern-most part of South America, the Andes mountains lie on its west, while it is bounded in the south and east by the Atlantic Ocean. In the northeast of Argentina lies Uruguay and Brazil, while Paraguay and Bolivia border it on the north. On the west and south of the country lies Chile. Argentina also lays claim to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands. All these islands are administered by United Kingdom and are known as British Overseas Territories.
Area: The total area of Argentina is 2,766,891 sq. km., of which 30,200 sq. km. is covered by water. The distance between the northern most point and the southern most point of Argentina is 3,900 km and between the eastern most point and the western most point is 1,400 km. According to the latest census, the population of the country is approximately 40,412,376.Topography: Argentina is known for its varied topography. The country can easily be divided into four topographical regions:

1. Fertile Plains of Pampas
2. Southern Plateau of Patagonia
3. Subtropical region of Gran Chaco
4. Rugged Andes mountains

Climate: Given the geographical variations in the country, it is natural to have varied climatic conditions in the country. The major part of the country has temperate climate. However, there is a wide variation, when one traverses the country from the north to the south. While the north has subtropical climate and arid and sub-Antarctic in the south.
Flora and Fauna: The kind of biodiversity, that is present in the country is rarely found in any other country in the world. While one will come across subtropical plants, one will also be greeted by the Savannah like grasslands. In the wetlands, there is a myriad range of aquatic plants. In the grasslands, trees are a rare sighting. As one moves to the rain-shadow region, one will encounter shrubby bushes and plants. However, plateau region of Patagonia is dotted by coniferous trees. When one moves to the higher altitude, there is no vegetation to be seen.

In each of the geographical unit in Argentina, one will come across a number of wild animals. In the subtropical regions of the north, there is the presence of cats like puma, ocelot, jaguar, along with different types of monkeys, dogs, reptiles like crocodiles, turtle and tortoise. In the grasslands, one will come across wolves, anteaters, cats, foxes, deer etc. The western part of the country is home to animals like llama, fox, guanaco, etc., while in the south one will run into cougar, wild boar, elephant seals, sea lions, penguins, etc. Argentina is home to birds like hummingbirds, flamingos, swallows, hawks, falcons, herons, etc.
Historical Facts about Argentina

The history of Argentina has been recorded since the time, it i was conquered by King Pachacutec in 1408. A number of regional tribes were defeated by the King to form a province called Collasuyu. The country of Argentina flourished under the colonial rule of Spain, where in 1516 the first Spaniard Juan Diaz de Solis first step his foot. He had come in search of gold to the country. It was only over a period of time, that the entire country came under the Spanish rule. In 1542, Viceroyalty of Peru was established, which was to govern all the Spanish colonies in the South American region. It was only in 1850, that the Spanish government established a colony, that was to be called Buenos Aires. There was a tussle between the Spanish and English for supremacy over this land. However, the English were defeated in the war that ensued. After Napoleon Bonaparte, overthrew the King of Spain, the fight for independence started in Argentina, which was led by Jose de San Martin. The Argentinians set up their own government in 1810, but it was only in 1816 that they gained complete independence from the colonial rule. However, till 1853, Argentina had not declared itself to be a republic nation.

After the end of World War II, Argentina has been under number of spells of military rule. It started with an army colonel Juan D. Peron seizing power along with his wife. Although he was exiled, after a coup of the armed forces, he came back to power. After his death, it was his third wife who became the first woman President of the country. Her rule led to the collapse of the economy and anarchy set in. She was over thrown by the military junta in 1976. It was in 1976 that General Jorge Videla, the head of the military junta, took control of Argentina. Thousands of people were put to death in the following years during a time that came to be referred as the 'Dirty War'. It was only in 1983 that a civil government was reinstated at the helm of affairs. However, the economy continued to be in shackles although power changed many hands. The economy came about in 2003 after Néstor Kirchner assumed powers. He took aggressive measures and the economy, which was about to collapse, registered a 8% growth rate. By 2006 the multi-million debt from International Monetary Fund had been repaid and the economy continued to flourish.
Political and Economical Facts about Argentina

Government: Argentina is a Republic, which received independence in 1816 from Spain. There are three branches of the government, namely Executive, Legislative and Judicial. It has a bicameral legislature called the Senate and Chamber of deputies. The Executive branch is headed by the President and Vice President and the cabinet assist the President in discharging the duties. In other words, the President is both the Head of the Government and Chief of State. There are trial courts in the provinces, like the federal courts and at the helm is the Supreme court. Everyone above the age of 18, till the age of 70 has to vote compulsorily. Above the age of 70, a person can abstain from voting as it is optional.
Economy: Peso is the currency of the country, the international code for which is ARS, and it stands for Argentine Peso. The Peso is available in denominations worth 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100. Coins are available in denominations worth 1 Peso and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cent. The GDP of the country is pegged at $596 billion, which ranks 24th all over the world. From the fertile plains of the Pampas, the country is able to yield a very good output of agricultural products. The country is also rich in natural resources like lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron, manganese, oil and uranium. Food processing, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, oil refining machinery and equipment are some of the industries, that contribute to the economy of the country. The country earns a revenue of about $68.5 million from exports of vegetable oils, grains, oilseed products, cars, fuels, etc.
Cultural Facts about Argentina

Spanish is the national language of the land. The other languages spoken in the country include Italian, English, German and French.

Most of the inhabitants (about 92%) of the land are Roman Catholics, while Protestants, Jews and others make up for 2% of the population each. According to the law of the land till 1994, the person holding the highest powers in the country, namely the post of President and Vice President had to be Roman Catholic. However, this law was altered and this prerequisite does not exist any more.

The tango dance is an embodiment of Argentinean ethos, having its origins here, which has become famous and popular today. The Tango Festival, which was begun in 1999, is held in the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires.

Argentina is known for its consumption of beef. The most popular is the cut called bife de chorizo. Pastries filled with minced chicken, meat, corn or vegetables are relished in almost all parts of the country. Wine has been produced in the country since the 16^th century. It ranks among the largest producers of wine in the world, with about 1800 wineries in the country, it is not surprising.

Pato, a combination of polo and basketball, is the national sport of Argentina. However, the most widely played game is soccer and Argentina has won two soccer world cups. Polo is another popular game in the country. Other than these sports, there are other sports, which are commonly played and include rugby, volleyball, basketball, hockey, tennis, skiing and snowboarding.

The Argentinian flag has three horizontal stripes. While the first and the last stripe is sky blue, the one between is white. At the center of the middle stripe is the golden sun.
Argentina Fun Facts

• It was in 1520 that Ferdinand de Magellan arrived on Patagonia's shores, before he discovered the strait connecting the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.
• The Santa Maria del Buen Aire settlement was found by Pedro de Mendoza, in 1536. Today, it is known as Buenos Aires.
• Spanish explorers who arrived in the Americas in the early part of the 16^th century laid claim to several countries in the region, with Argentina being colonized by Pedro de Mendoza.
• President Juan Domingo Peron became Argentina's President in 1946. 'Evita', his wife of legendary fame, was given the charge of labor relations, who succumbed to cancer in 1952, when she was 33 years of age.
• The Argentinean medical doctor, Ernesto Che Guevara, who was also a poet, philosophical writer, and the champion of the revolution in Cuba, became an icon of international fame during the 1960s.
• Argentina went to war against the UK over the Falkland Islands, led by General Galtieri, in 1982.
• Argentina has been the place where some of the oldest and largest fossils of dinosaurs have been unearthed.
• Measuring 2,700 in diameter and 80m high, the Iguazu falls of Argentina is one of the largest in the world.
• At a depth of 40m, the Salinas Chicas, situated on Peninsula Valdes, is Argentina's as well as South America's lowest point.
• Measuring 6,960m in height, Mount Aconcagua is Argentina's as well as South America's highest point.
• As far as the time zone of Argentina is concerned it is 3 hours behind the GMT.
• Argentina has had several Nobel Laureates: With the Nobel Prize for Peace being given to Carlos Saavedra Lamas in 1936, and in 1980 to Adolfo Perez Esquivel; The Nobel Prize in Chemistry given to Luis Federico Leloir in 1970; the Nobel Prize in Medicine awarded to Bernardo Houssay in 1947 and in 1984 to Cesar Milstein.
• The wife of Juan Peron, Isabel Peron, became Argentina's first woman president, however, the first elected woman president is Christina Fernandez de Kirchner, the wife of Néstor Kirchner, who was elected to the post in 2007. She was re-elected to the post in 2011.
• Same-sex marriages were legalized in Argentina in 2010, with which Argentina became the first country in Latin America to do so.
• The literacy rate in Argentina is pegged at 97%.

This was a brief account about the land of tango and wine producers. Since the country is blessed with natural beauty, it is frequented by people all over the world. After reading the facts, are you also curious to visit the country the same way as I am?