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Argentina: The Facts Written by Anna Mracek Located in the southern half of South America, bordered by Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and the Atlantic Ocean, Argentina is slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US and the second largest country in South America. Its capital is Buenos Aires, which is located towards the northernmost section of the Atlantic coastline near the delta of the Rio Parano River. Mendoza, the launch city, is northwest of Buenos Aires, closer to the Chilean border (32 degrees 53 minutes south, 68 degrees 49minutes west). Argentina is divided into two geographical regions: the Pampas in the north and the Patagonia in the south. The Pampas consists of fertile plains and is subject to violent windstorms—known an pamperos—and flooding. The Patagonia is a rolling plateau with the rugged Andes Mountains along the western border. The San Miguel de Tucuman and Mendoza areas in the Andes Mountains are subject to earthquakes. Most of the land in Argentina is used for pastureland, with farming occupying only 10% of Argentina’s territory. The Argentine people include Amerindian and Mestizo ethnic groups, as well as Caucasians. The majority is Catholic. Nearly the entire population over 15 years of age can read and write. Argentina is governed by a republican system that is structured similarly to that of the United States with Executive, Legislative and Executive branches. Anyone 18 years or older can vote. The current constitution has been in place since the first of May, 1853. The current president is Carlos Saul Menem.
The flag is divided into three even horizontal bars of color: blue, white, and blue, with a radiant sun and human face in the center of the white bar. This sun and face combination is known as the Sun of May and is a recognition of the constitution’s anniversary. Local economics depend strongly on Argentina’s deposits of lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum and uranium, as well as the highly productive land in the Pampas. Exports include meat, wheat, corn, oilseed, manufactured goods and fuels. The main industries are food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles (fabrics), chemicals and petrochemicals (made from petroleum, or oil), printing, metallurgy and steel. Sources:
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