Page last updated on December 17, 2013
In 1816, the United Provinces of the Rio Plata declared their independence from Spain. After Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay went their separate ways, the area that remained became Argentina. The country's population and culture were heavily shaped by immigrants from throughout Europe, with Italy and Spain providing the largest percentage of newcomers from 1860 to 1930. Up until about the mid-20th century, much of Argentina's history was dominated by periods of internal political conflict between Federalists and Unitarians and between civilian and military factions. After World War II, an era of Peronist populism and direct and indirect military interference in subsequent governments was followed by a military junta that took power in 1976. Democracy returned in 1983 after a failed bid to seize the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) by force, 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. In January 2013, Argentina assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2013-14 term.
Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Chile and Uruguay
total: 2,780,400 sq km
country comparison to the world: 8
land: 2,736,690 sq km
water: 43,710 sq km
slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US
total: 9,861 km
border countries: Bolivia 832 km, Brazil 1,261 km, Chile 5,308 km, Paraguay 1,880 km, Uruguay 580 km
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest
rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border
lowest point: Laguna del Carbon -105 m (located between Puerto San Julian and Comandante Luis Piedra Buena in the province of Santa Cruz)
highest point: Cerro Aconcagua 6,960 m (located in the northwestern corner of the province of Mendoza; highest point in South America)
fertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum, uranium
arable land: 13.68%
permanent crops: 0.36%
other: 85.96% (2011)
total: 32.57 cu km/yr (23%/13%/64%)
per capita: 864.9 cu m/yr (2005)
San Miguel de Tucuman and Mendoza areas in the Andes subject to earthquakes; pamperos are violent windstorms that can strike the pampas and northeast; heavy flooding in some areas
volcanism: volcanic activity in the Andes Mountains along the Chilean border; Copahue (elev. 2,997 m) last erupted in 2000; other historically active volcanoes include Llullaillaco, Maipo, Planchon-Peteroa, San Jose, Tromen, Tupungatito, and Viedma
environmental problems (urban and rural) typical of an industrializing economy such as deforestation, soil degradation, desertification, air pollution, and water pollution
note: Argentina is a world leader in setting voluntary greenhouse gas targets
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
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 Carbon is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere
noun: Argentine(s)
adjective: Argentine
white (mostly Spanish and Italian) 97%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry), Amerindian, or other non-white groups 3%
Spanish (official), Italian, English, German, French, indigenous (Mapudungun, Quechua)
nominally Roman Catholic 92% (less than 20% practicing), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 4%
Argentina's population continues to grow but at a slower rate because of its steadily declining birth rate. Argentina's fertility decline began earlier than in the rest of Latin America, occurring most rapidly between the early 20th century and the 1950s and then becoming more gradual. Life expectancy has been improving, most notably among the young and the poor. While the population under age 15 is shrinking, the youth cohort - ages 15-24 - is the largest in Argentina's history and will continue to bolster the working-age population. If this large working-age population is well-educated and gainfully employed, Argentina is likely to experience an economic boost and possibly higher per capita savings and investment. Although literacy and primary school enrollment are nearly universal, grade repetition is problematic and secondary school completion is low. Both of these issues vary widely by region and socioeconomic group.
42,610,981 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
0-14 years: 25.1% (male 5,468,773/female 5,217,256)
15-24 years: 15.8% (male 3,436,816/female 3,296,788)
25-54 years: 38.8% (male 8,238,184/female 8,290,649)
55-64 years: 9.1% (male 1,871,644/female 1,990,790)
65 years and over: 11.3% (male 1,987,344/female 2,812,737) (2013 est.)
total dependency ratio: 54.3 %
youth dependency ratio: 37.4 %
elderly dependency ratio: 16.9 %
potential support ratio: 5.9 (2013)
total: 31 years
male: 29.9 years
female: 32.1 years (2013 est.)
0.98% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
17.12 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
7.35 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
urban population: 92% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 1.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
BUENOS AIRES (capital) 13.528 million; Cordoba 1.493 million; Rosario 1.231 million; Mendoza 917,000; San Miguel de Tucuman 831,000 (2011)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
77 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 85
total: 10.24 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 143
male: 11.45 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
total population: 77.32 years
country comparison to the world: 68
male: 74.09 years
female: 80.73 years (2013 est.)
2.27 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
8.1% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 60
3.16 physicians/1,000 population (2004)
4.5 beds/1,000 population (2011)
0.5% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
110,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
2,900 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
29.7% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 29
2.3% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 113
5.8% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 44
definition: age 10 and over can read and write
total population: 97.9%
male: 97.8%
female: 97.9% (2011 est.)
total: 16 years
male: 15 years
female: 18 years (2010)
total number: 435,252
percentage: 7 %
note: data represents children ages 5-13 (2003 est.)
total: 18.7%
country comparison to the world: 66
male: 16.5%
female: 22.2% (2011)
conventional long form: Argentine Republic
conventional short form: Argentina
local long form: Republica Argentina
local short form: Argentina
name: Buenos Aires
geographic coordinates: 34 35 S, 58 40 W
time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: none scheduled for 2013
23 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 autonomous city*; Buenos Aires, Catamarca, Chaco, Chubut, Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires*, Cordoba, Corrientes, Entre Rios, Formosa, Jujuy, La Pampa, La Rioja, Mendoza, Misiones, Neuquen, Rio Negro, Salta, San Juan, San Luis, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santiago del Estero, Tierra del Fuego - Antartida e Islas del Atlantico Sur (Tierra del Fuego), Tucuman
note: the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica
Revolution Day, 25 May (1810)
several previous; latest effective 11 May 1853; amended many times, last in 1994 (2013)
civil law system based on West European legal systems; note - efforts at civil code reform begun in the mid-1980s has stagnated
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
18-70 years of age; universal and compulsory; 16-17 years of age - optional
chief of state: President Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER (since 10 December 2007); Vice President Amado BOUDOU (since 10 December 2011); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER (since 10 December 2007); Vice President Amado BOUDOU (since 10 December 2011)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held on 23 October 2011 (next election to be held in October 2015)
election results: Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER reelected president; percent of vote - Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER 54%, Hermes BINNER 16.9%, Ricardo ALFONSIN 11.1%, Alberto Rodriguez SAA 8%, Eduardo DUHALDE 5.9%, other 4.1%
bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate (72 seats; members are elected by direct vote; presently one-third of the members elected every two years to serve six-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies (257 seats; members are elected by direct vote; one-half of the members elected every two years to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held on 23 October 2011 (next to be held on 27 October 2013); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 23 October 2011 (next to be held on 27 October 2013)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA; seats by bloc or party - FpV 38, UCR 17, PJ Disidente 10, FAP 4, other 3; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA; seats by bloc or party - FpV 134, UCR 41, PJ Disidente 28, FAP 22, PRO 11, CC 7, other 14; note - as of 1 January 2013, the composition of the entire legislature is as follows: Senate - seats by bloc or party - FpV 32, UCR 14, PJ Disidente 9, minor parties allied with the FpV 6, FAP 4, other 7; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA; seats by bloc or party - FpV 116, UCR 40, PJ Disidente 22, FAP 22, minor parties allied with the FpV 20, PRO 11, CC 6, other 20
highest court(s): Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of the court president, vice-president, and 5 judges)
judge selection and term of office: judges nominated by the president and approved by the Senate; judges serve for life
subordinate courts: federal level appellate, district, and territorial courts; provincial level supreme, appellate, and first instance courts
Broad Progressive Front or FAP [Hermes BINNER]
Argentine Association of Pharmaceutical Labs (CILFA)
other: business organizations, Peronist-dominated labor movement, Piquetero groups (popular protest organizations that can be either pro or anti-government), students
AfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BCIE, BIS, CAN (associate), CD, CELAC, FAO, FATF, G-15, G-20, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Paris Club (associate), PCA, SICA (observer), UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina (observer), UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
chief of mission: Ambassador Cecilia NAHON (since 19 February 2013)
chancery: 1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 238-6400
FAX: [1] (202) 332-3171
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Kevin K. SULLIVAN (since June 2013)
embassy: Avenida Colombia 4300, C1425GMN Buenos Aires
mailing address: international mail: use embassy street address; APO address: US Embassy Buenos Aires, Unit 4334, APO AA 34034
telephone: [54] (11) 5777-4533
FAX: [54] (11) 5777-4240
three equal horizontal bands of light blue (top), white, and light blue; centered in the white band is a radiant yellow sun with a human face known as the Sun of May; the colors represent the clear skies and snow of the Andes; the sun symbol commemorates the appearance of the sun through cloudy skies on 25 May 1810 during the first mass demonstration in favor of independence; the sun features are those of Inti, the Inca god of the sun
Sun of May (a sun-with-face symbol)
name: "Himno Nacional Argentino" (Argentine National Anthem)
lyrics/music: Vicente LOPEZ y PLANES/Jose Blas PARERA
note: adopted 1813; Vicente LOPEZ was inspired to write the anthem after watching a play about the 1810 May Revolution against Spain
Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Although one of the world's wealthiest countries 100 years ago, Argentina suffered during most of the 20th century from recurring economic crises, persistent fiscal and current account deficits, high inflation, mounting external debt, and capital flight. A severe depression, growing public and external indebtedness, and an unprecedented bank run culminated in 2001 in the most serious economic, social, and political crisis in the country's turbulent history. Interim President Adolfo RODRIGUEZ SAA declared a default - at the time the largest ever - on the government's foreign debt in December of that year, and abruptly resigned only a few days after taking office. His successor, Eduardo DUHALDE, announced an end to the peso's decade-long 1-to-1 peg to the US dollar in early 2002. The economy bottomed out that year, with real GDP 18% smaller than in 1998 and almost 60% of Argentines under the poverty line. Real GDP rebounded to grow by an average 8.5% annually over the subsequent six years, taking advantage of previously idled industrial capacity and labor, an audacious debt restructuring and reduced debt burden, excellent international financial conditions, and expansionary monetary and fiscal policies. Inflation also increased, however, during the administration of President Nestor KIRCHNER, which responded with price restraints on businesses, as well as export taxes and restraints, and beginning in 2007, with understating inflation data. Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER succeeded her husband as President in late 2007, and the rapid economic growth of previous years began to slow sharply the following year as government policies held back exports and the world economy fell into recession. The economy in 2010 rebounded strongly from the 2009 recession, but has slowed since late 2011 even as the government continued to rely on expansionary fiscal and monetary policies, which have kept inflation in the double digits. The government expanded state intervention in the economy throughout 2012. In May the Congress approved the nationalization of the oil company YPF from Spain's Repsol. The government expanded formal and informal measures to restrict imports during the year, including a requirement for pre-registration and pre-approval of all imports. In July the government also further tightened currency controls in an effort to bolster foreign reserves and stem capital flight.
$735.1 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
$468.8 billion (2012 est.)
1.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
$17,900 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
24% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
household consumption: 57.1%
government consumption: 16.6%
investment in fixed capital: 21.8%
investment in inventories: 2.2%
exports of goods and services: 19.7%
imports of goods and services: -17.4%
agriculture: 9.1%
industry: 30.5%
services: 60.4% (2012 est.)
sunflower seeds, lemons, soybeans, grapes, corn, tobacco, peanuts, tea, wheat; livestock
food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel
-0.4%
country comparison to the world: 139
note: based on private estimates (2012 est.)
17.05 million
country comparison to the world: 36
note: urban areas only (2012 est.)
agriculture: 5%
industry: 23%
services: 72% (2009 est.)
7.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
30%
note: data are based on private estimates (2010)
lowest 10%: 1.5%
highest 10%: 32.3% (2010 est.)
45.8 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 36
revenues: $121.3 billion
expenditures: $133.6 billion (2012 est.)
25.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
-2.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
44.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
25.3% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 220
note: data are derived from private estimates
14.06% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
$65.63 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
$148.6 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
$161.9 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
$43.58 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 50
$106.9 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
$80.91 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
soybeans and derivatives, petroleum and gas, vehicles, corn, wheat
Brazil 20.4%, China 7.4%, Chile 6%, US 5.2% (2012)
$65.55 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
machinery, motor vehicles, petroleum and natural gas, organic chemicals, plastics
Brazil 27.2%, US 15.6%, China 11.9%, Germany 4.5% (2012)
$43.25 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
$113.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
$107.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
$32.91 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
Argentine pesos (ARS) per US dollar -
119.3 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
111.1 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
1.701 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
10.3 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
32.87 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
66.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
3.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
27.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
0.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
723,200 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
90,920 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
2.805 billion bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 32
622,200 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
678,100 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
94,500 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
76,550 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
38.77 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
43.29 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
200 million cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
7.57 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
332.5 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 39
190.6 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
10 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 22
58.6 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 23
general assessment: in 1998 Argentina opened its telecommunications market to competition and foreign investment encouraging the growth of modern telecommunications technology; fiber-optic cable trunk lines are being installed between all major cities; major networks are entirely digital and the availability of telephone service is improving
domestic: microwave radio relay, fiber-optic cable, and a domestic satellite system with 40 earth stations serve the trunk network; fixed-line teledensity is increasing gradually and mobile-cellular subscribership is increasing rapidly; broadband Internet services are gaining ground
international: country code - 54; landing point for the Atlantis-2, UNISUR, South America-1, and South American Crossing/Latin American Nautilus submarine cable systems that provide links to Europe, Africa, South and Central America, and US; satellite earth stations - 112; 2 international gateways near Buenos Aires (2011)
government owns a TV station and a radio network; more than 2 dozen TV stations and hundreds of privately owned radio stations; high rate of cable TV subscription usage (2007)
11.232 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 13
13.694 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 28
1,138 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 6
total: 161
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 29
1,524 to 2,437 m: 65
914 to 1,523 m: 53
under 914 m: 10 (2013)
total: 977
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 43
914 to 1,523 m: 484
under 914 m:
gas 29,930 km; liquid petroleum gas 41 km; oil 6,248 km; refined products 3,631 km (2013)
total: 36,966 km
country comparison to the world: 8
broad gauge: 26,475 km 1.676-m gauge (94 km electrified)
standard gauge: 2,780 km 1.435-m gauge (42 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 7,711 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
total: 231,374 km
country comparison to the world: 21
paved: 69,412 km (includes 734 km of expressways)
unpaved: 161,962 km (2004)
11,000 km (2012)
country comparison to the world: 11
total: 36
country comparison to the world: 80
by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 5, chemical tanker 6, container 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 18, refrigerated cargo 4
foreign-owned: 14 (Brazil 1, Chile 6, Spain 3, Taiwan 2, UK 2)
registered in other countries: 15 (Liberia 1, Panama 5, Paraguay 5, Uruguay 1, unknown 3) (2010)
major seaport(s): Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, La Plata, Punta Colorada, Ushuaia
river port(s): Arroyo Seco, Rosario, San Lorenzo-San Martin (Parana)
Argentine Army (Ejercito Argentino), Navy of the Argentine Republic (Armada Republica; includes naval aviation and naval infantry), Argentine Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Argentina, FAA) (2013)
18-24 years of age for voluntary military service (18-21 requires parental consent); no conscription; if the number of volunteers fails to meet the quota of recruits for a particular year, Congress can authorize the conscription of citizens turning 18 that year for a period not exceeding one year (2012)
males age 16-49: 10,038,967
females age 16-49: 9,959,134 (2010 est.)
males age 16-49: 8,458,362
females age 16-49: 8,414,460 (2010 est.)
male: 339,503
female: 323,170 (2010 est.)
0.5% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 160
the Argentine military is a well-organized force constrained by the country's prolonged economic hardship; the country has recently experienced a strong recovery, and the military is implementing a modernization plan aimed at making the ground forces lighter and more responsive (2008)
Argentina continues to assert its claims to the UK-administered Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia, and the South Sandwich Islands in its constitution, forcibly occupying the Falklands in 1982, but in 1995 agreed to no longer seek settlement by force; UK continues to reject Argentine requests for sovereignty talks; territorial claim in Antarctica partially overlaps UK and Chilean claims; uncontested dispute between Brazil and Uruguay over Braziliera/Brasiliera Island in the Quarai/Cuareim River leaves the tripoint with Argentina in question; in 2010, the ICJ ruled in favor of Uruguay's operation of two paper mills on the Uruguay River, which forms the border with Argentina; the two countries formed a joint pollution monitoring regime; the joint boundary commission, established by Chile and Argentina in 2001 has yet to map and demarcate the delimited boundary in the inhospitable Andean Southern Ice Field (Campo de Hielo Sur); contraband smuggling, human trafficking, and illegal narcotic trafficking are problems in the porous areas of the border with Bolivia
