The
Capital of Argentina is Buenos Aires.
A brief history of Buenos Aires begins 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, but most particularly
Italy and Spain, which provided 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 authoritarian
rule and interference in subsequent governments was followed by
a military junta that took power in 1976. Democracy returned 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 resignation of several interim presidents.
The economy has recovered strongly since bottoming out in 2002.
Buenos Aires is one of the largest cities in the world; a megalopolis
with over eleven million inhabitants in both the city and its surroundings.
It is also the most elegant and the busiest city in South America
which represents the Argentine essence.
In
spite of its modern constructions and dynamic activity, it has managed
to preserve old traditions and charming corners. Visitors are fascinated
by its environment, the individuality of each of its neighbourhoods,
the cordiality of its people, and its wide selection of cultural
and commercial opportunities.
Buenos
Aires, surrounded by Argentina’s splendid countryside, is
the great cosmopolitan doorway to South America.
The
name Argentina
It comes from the Latin term "argentum", which means silver.
The origin of this name goes back to the first voyages made by the
Spanish conquerors to the Río de la Plata. The survivors
of the shipwrecked expedition mounted by Juan Díaz de Solís
found indigenous people in the region who gave them silver objects
as presents. The news about the legendary Sierra del Plata - a mountain
rich in silver - reached Spain around 1524. As from this date, the
Portuguese named the river of Solís, Río de la Plata
(River of Silver). Two years later the Spanish used the same name.
The National Constitution adopted in 1853 included the name "República
Argentina" (Argentine Republic) among the official names to
designate the government and the countryís territory.
Location,
area and frontiers
Located in South America, and thus, in the southern hemisphere,
Argentina has an area of almost 3.8 million square kilometers, 2.8
on the continent - approximately 54 % are plains (grasslands and
savannahs), 23 %, plateaus, and the other 23 %, mountains - and
the remainder in the Antarctic. It is 3,800 Km. long and is located
between latitude 22? and 55?. Its border with Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay,
Bolivia and Chile has a perimeter of 9,376 Km, while the territory
bordered by the Atlantic Ocean is 4,725 Km long.
Geography
Argentina's main characteristic is the enormous contrast between
the immense eastern plains and the impressive Andes mountain range
to the west. This is the frontier with Chile and boasts the highest
peak in the Western hemisphere: the 6,959 m high Aconcagua. From
Jujuy to Tierra del Fuego, the Andes present marvelous contrasts:
the Northwest plateaus, the lake region, the forests and glaciers
in the Patagonia. To the north, Chaco is a forested area linked
to rivers Bermejo, Salado and Pilcomayo.
Between the Paraná and Uruguay rivers, the Argentine Mesopotamia
(provinces of Entre Ríos, Corrientes and Misiones) is formed
by low hills, where pools and marshlands evidence the ancient courses
of these great rivers. In some places within the subtropical rain
forest, there are fissures which provide such spectacular phenomena
as the Iguazú Falls. The Pampas, in the center of Argentina,
is the largest and best-known area of plains. Agricultural and livestock
activities are performed in this area, which includes the province
of Buenos Aires, the northeast of La Pampa, the south of Córdoba
and south of Santa Fe. To the south, the plains give way to small
hills in Tandil and de la Ventana, and to the west, to the Córdoba
hills. Towards the south, from the Andes to the sea, there appear
the sterile and stony plateaus of Patagonia, swept by the wind during
most of the year. The Atlantic coast, lined with high cliffs, forms
massive indentations like the Peninsula Valdés, with its
spectacular and unique colonies of sea animals.
Climate
The country's territory offers a wide variety of climates:
subtropical in the North, sub-Antarctic in the southern Patagonia,
and mild and humid in the Pampas plains. Media temperature from
November to March is 23° C, and 12° C from June to September.
Population
Argentina's current population is more than 36 million inhabitants,
almost half of which live in the city and the province of Buenos
Aires. Population density calculated on a national basis is 13 inhabitants
per square kilometer.
95 % of the population is white and most are descendants of Italians
and Spaniards. As a result of the massive European immigration,
the white and Indian half-castes were slowly reduced and at the
present they amount only to 4.5 % of the population. The pure indigenous
population - Mapuches, Collas, Tobas, Matacos and Chiriguanos -
amount to 0.5 % of the population.
Language
Spanish is the official language of the Argentine Republic. In Buenos
Aires, some "lunfardo" expressions -city slang - are used.
Currency
The official Argentine currency is the Peso. There are bills of
2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 pesos, and coins of 1 peso and 1, 5, 10,
25, and 50 cents.
Constitution
and Government
Argentina consists of 23 provinces plus a federal district, the
City Buenos Aires. The Argentine Constitution establishes a Republic
under a representative and federal system, and three separate branches
of government: executive, legislative and judicial.
The executive branch is exercised by the President and Vice-president
of the Nation, elected for a 4-year term, and who may be reelected
for a single additional term. The legislative branch is bicameral:
the Senate (composed of three senators from each province and from
the City of Buenos Aires) and the House of Representatives (composed
of representatives elected directly and in proportion to each districtís
population). The judicial branch ìis vested in the Supreme
Court and lower courts of justice.
Each province has adopted its own Constitution in accordance with
the National Constitution, to rule its administration.
The current National Constitution dates from 1853. Nevertheless,
it was amended in 1860, 1898, 1957 and 1994. The last amendment
made in August 1994, allows the Presidentís reelection for
an additional term.
Two
historic dates
May 25, 1810. The first "Gobierno Patrio" or National
Government Assembly was constituted. July 9, 1816. Proclamation
of Independence by the Provincias Unidas del Río de la Plata.
National
emblems
The Argentine flag has three horizontal stripes: the one in the
middle is white and bears the golden sun, and the two outside stripes
are light blue. The national flower is the ceibo, and the national
stone is the manganese spar (rodocrosita) or "Inca Rose".
MRI