Argentina has a diverse geography that includes fertile plains, plateaus, subtropical regions, and the Andes mountains. The country has a population of 40 million people who are mostly descendants of European immigrants. Spanish is the official language, though Italian and other European languages are also spoken. Argentine culture features influences from continental Europe as well as indigenous populations, with tango, soccer, and meat-heavy cuisine being prominent aspects. The country has a history of indigenous inhabitants, followed by Spanish colonization and periods of political turmoil in the 20th century.

1. Nation Project- Part 1 Argentina Argentina Kelsey Taylor History 141

2. Geography 2,400 miles long, 870 miles wide 4 major regions: fertile central plains of the Pampas (agriculture), southern plateau of Patagonia (oil), subtropical northern flats of the Gran Chaco, and rugged Andes mountain range Major rivers: Paraná, Pilcomayo, Paraguay, Bermejo, Colorado, Río Negro, Salado, y Uruguay Shares a very long border with Atlantic Ocean

3. Geography General Climates North: very hot, humid summers with mild drier winters, subject to periodic droughts Central: hot summers with thunderstorms and cool winters South: warm summers, cold winters with heavy snowfall especially in mountainous zones

4. People Demographics 40 million inhabitants considered a country of immigrants: most are descendants of Europeans (86.4%), Mestizo (8%), or Arab and Asian (4%) most of the immigrants came from Italy and Spain and many of them went to Buenos Aires Argentine constitution guarantees freedom of religion but also requires the government to support Roman Catholicism economically

5. People Language Official language is Spanish Argentina is the second largest Spanish-speaking society that uses “vos” instead of “tu” most prevalent dialect is Rioplatense in the Río de la Plata basin the Buenos Aires accent is closer to the Neapolitan dialect of Italian than any other spoken language other languages spoken include Italian, Levantine dialect of Arabic, German, Guarraní, English, Portuguese, and French

6. Culture Argentina has a rich literary history Also has one of the region’s most active publishing industries Jorge Luis Borges- most acclaimed writer “golden age” of cinema was in the 1930-1950’s Buenos Aires is one of the great capitals of theater the cities are enriched by the many Argentine architects

7. Culture Common dishes: pasta, sausage and dessert dishes common to continental Europe and also a wide variety of indigenous and Crillo dishes including empanadas, locro, humitas, and yerba mate Argentines have the highest consumption of red meat in the world most popular sport is soccer the tango is Argentina’s music symbol Argentine rock is the most popular music among youths

8. History indigenous Inca indians were the first humans to inhabit Argentina European settlers arrived in 1516 1st settlement in modern Argentina was Fort of Sancti Spiritu in 1527 Buenos Aires was established in 1536 but then destroyed by natives populated by mainly Spanish settlers 1811- the country was united independently lots of fighting took place between all the South American states between 1880-1929, Argentina emerged as one of the ten richest countries in the world

9. History General Juan Perón ruled between 1946-1955 when he was then exiled Returned in 1974 to take office one more time “ Dirty War”- many political oppositions “disappeared” because they were killed Current president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner was the 1st woman elected president of Argentina She took over the presidency from her husband after 4 years of the country growing

10. Sources www.wikipedia.org