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Argentina

History

For Spanish, Italian, German, and other immigrants in the late 19th century, Argentina held great promise. Following independence from Spain in 1816, Argentina experienced periods of internal political conflict. After World War II, a long period of Peronist authoritarian rule and interference in subsequent governments was followed by a military junta that took power in 1976. During the "dirty war" of the late 1970s more than 10,000 people disappeared-the Desaparecidos. Defeat by Britain during the 1982 Falkland Islands war loosened the military dictatorship's stranglehold on democracy.

Since then much has been won: Greater freedom of the press, tolerance of opposition, and increased foreign investment. Privatization of state firms has reduced government debt by seven billion dollars, and the inflation rate has plummeted. In the world's 8th largest country today, the literacy rate is high, the birthrate and the infant mortality rate are low, and most Argentines consider themselves middle class. One in three Argentines lives in Greater Buenos Aires. Yet unemployment plagues the economy, even as the nation enjoys the continent's highest per capita income.

Ongoing Disputes: Claims UK-administered terratories in its constitution, but in 1995 ceded the right to settle the dispute by force; Beagle Channel islands dispute resolved through Papal mediation in 1984, but armed incidents persist since 1992 oil discovery; territorial claim in Antarctica partially overlaps UK and Chilean claims; unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and drug trafficking, and harbors Islamist militants; uncontested dispute between Brazil and Uruguay over Braziliera Island in the Quarai/Cuareim leaves the tripoint with Argentina in question.

Environment Issues: 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.

Statistics

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
Population: 39 million
Infant Mortality: 18.14 deaths/1,000 live births
Life Expectancy: 75.48 years
Ethnic Groups: White (mostly Spanish and Italian) 97%, mestizo, Amerindian, or other nonwhite groups 3%
Religions: Nominally Roman Catholic 92% (less than 20% practicing), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 4%
Labour Force: 15 million
Unemployment Rate: 21.5%

Map

Map courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

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