This document provides an overview of the geography, climate, population, history, and politics of Argentina. It notes that Argentina has diverse regions defined by major rivers and lakes. The climate varies from hot and humid in the north to cold in the south. Most Argentines are descendants of European immigrants, primarily from Italy and Spain. After gaining independence from Spain in the early 19th century, Argentina experienced periods of civil war but eventually unified and became one of the richest countries in the world through agriculture and investment. However, it remained economically dependent. Juan Peron was elected in 1946 and established the dominant Peronist political ideology through nationalization and social reforms.

1. P a t r i ci a Fo n s e c a
NATIONS OF THE AMERICAS: A p r i l 2 , 2 01 2
H i s to r y 1 41 31 1 3 6
A COUNTRY REPORT H i s to r y o f t h e
Americas Since
1800
P r o f es s o r A r g u el l o

2. NATIONS OF THE AMERICAS: A COUNTRY REPORT
ARGENTINA
 Argentina is made up of six main regions. Gran
Chaco, Mesopotamia, the Pampas, Patagonia,
Cuyo, and the Norwest. Parana, Pilcomayo,
Paraguay, Bermejo, Colorado, Rio Negro, Salado
and Uruguay are the major rivers. Atuel and
Mendoza are regionally important rivers.
 The lakes include Argentino and Viedma in Santa
Cruz, Nahuel Huapi, Colhue Huapi and Munsters in
Chubut. Lake Buenos Aires, O’Higgins/San Martin
Lake and Fagnano are shared with Chile. The
largest slat water lake is Mar Chiquita, Cordoba.
 The Atlantic coast experiences two different ocean
currents. The Brazil Current delivers warm
currents while the Falkland Currents delivers cold
currents. The two currents alternate in their
influence on climate and don’t allow temperatures
to fall evenly with the uneven coastal landmass.

3. NATIONS OF THE AMERICAS: A COUNTRY REPORT
ARGENTINA
 Climate fluctuates between the northern and
southern regions of Argentina. The north
experiences very hot, humid summers with mild
winters. Central Argentina experiences hot
summers, cool winters, and higher moisture in the
eastern areas. Southern regions experience warm
summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall,
especially in the mountain areas.
 The major wind currents include the cooling
Pampero Winds that blow onto the flat plains of
Patagonia. After the cold front the warm currents
blow from the north in the middle and late winter
that creates mild conditions. The Zonda is a hot
dry wind (June-November)that affects the west and
central part of Argen tina which creates wildfires.
In the higher elevations, this causes snowstorms
and blizzards. When the Sudestada blows in late
autumn and winter along the central coast, it
moderates cold temperatures and brings heavy
rain, rough seas and coastal flooding.

4. NATIONS OF THE AMERICAS: A COUNTRY REPORT
ARGENTINA
 23 provinces with one autonomous city comprises
Argentina. These main cities and the surrounding
countryside became provinces during the
Argentine War of Independence. Buenos Aires is
divided into communes. National territories
include the areas under control of Argentina but
outside of the provinces.
 A territorial dispute between the provinces over
the Quinto River led to Buenos Aires disputing the
Lechiguanas islands with Entre Rios. It was
decided that the deepest point of the rivers would
be used to establish the exact international limits
but also established provincial limits.

5. NATIONS OF THE AMERICAS: A COUNTRY REPORT
ARGENTINA
 Argentina is comprised of European immigrants. The
majority of Argentinians are descendants of colonial -
era settlers. It is estimated that 8% are of Mestizo
descent while 4% are of Arab or Asian descent.
 The vast majority of immigrants arrived from Italy,
Spain, Germany, Wales, Poland, Croatia, Russia,
Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Belgium, France, and
Norway. Much of the architecture within the country
is of French, Italian and Spanish composition.
 Argentina’s of ficial language is Castilian and is
spoken by virtually the entire population with several
dif ferent accents.
 Other languages spoken include, English, German,
Arabic, Italian, Portuguese, and French.

6. NATIONS OF THE AMERICAS: A COUNTRY REPORT
ARGENTINA
 Argentina is a highly urbanized country. There
are ten large metropolitan areas accounting for
half of the entire population.
 There is unequal distribution of the population
throughout the provinces. 60% live in Pampa
region. Seven other provinces hold approximately
one million people each.
 Most of the European immigrants settled in the
cities that could provide jobs, education and other
opportunities that could bring them up to the
middle class.
 Many of the urban areas reflect the boulevards and
avenues seen in Paris. Many of the cities were in a
colonial Spanish grid style.

7. NATIONS OF THE AMERICAS: A COUNTRY REPORT
ARGENTINA
 One of the largest ethnic groups in Argentina are of
German descent. German immigrants arrived in 5
main timeframes. Pre -1870, 1870-1914, 1918-1933,
1933-1940 and post-1945.
 Argentina and Germany developed a flourishing trade
market together and Germany held a prestigious
position within the Argentine economy. Argentina has
continued a strong economic relationship with
Germany and gave them supplies during World War 1 .
 The influence Germany had over Argentine cuisine is
quite large, especially with desserts. One of the most
well-known being facturas. Other German desserts
include Torta Ochenta Golpes and torta fritas.
 It is estimated that there are 50,000 German citizens
living in Buenos Aires.

8. NATIONS OF THE AMERICAS: A COUNTRY REPORT
ARGENTINA
 The Argentine War of Independence was fought
between the patriots and the royalists. Argentina
declared their independence in 1816. Jose de San
Martin and Simon Bolivar help lead Argentina to
independence.
 With the rejection of the constitution in 1826 (due
to its centralist bias) the civil war was rejuvenated.
The Argentine Confederation was composed of a
loose set of provinces without a head of state.
 Juan Manuel de Rosas faced many Unitarian
attacks and experienced a consistent state of war
during his rule from 1829 -1832 and 1835-1852.
 Buenos Aires separated from the Confederation
from 1853-1862. The first president of this newly
unified country was Bartolome Mitre who led
military advances against remaining federals.

9. NATIONS OF THE AMERICAS: A COUNTRY REPORT
ARGENTINA
 The War of the Triple Alliance left more than 300,000
people dead and completely thrashed Paraguay.
Mitre twice attempted to separate Buenos Aires from
the country but did not succeed. The national army
came out victorious and military conflicts ended. The
last conflict with the indigenous peoples resulted in
Argentina gaining control of Patagonia.
 The Generation of ‘80 is a political movement
opposing Mitre and seeking industrialization of the
country. This movement is credited for the base of
modern Argentina.
 European immigration strengthened the cohesiveness
of the state and redesigned society, as well as the
economy. With its agricultural export economy and
British and French investment, Argentina
materialized as one of the richest countries in the
world. Population grew fivefold and economy 15 -fold.

10. NATIONS OF THE AMERICAS: A COUNTRY REPORT
ARGENTINA
 As the National Autonomist Par ty failed in meeting their
industrialization goals and Argentina remained a pre -
industrial society.
 In 1 890, the Civic Union led the Revolution of the Park .
Conser vative elites ran politics until 191 2. In 1916, the
Radical Civic Union won its fir st free election. President
Hipolito Yrigoyen was credited with making social and
economic reforms. Economic crisis struck during the
Great Depression and he was forced from presidency.
 Juan Peron won the presidency in 1946 and created
Peronism. His strategies included nationalizing industries
and ser vices, improved wages and working conditions,
paying the full external debt, and creating nearly full
employment. The government faced many year s of
tensionn between the militar y and Peronism. Argentina
experienced financial instability from 1983 until Eduardo
Duhalde was elected in 2002.

11. NATIONS OF THE AMERICAS: A COUNTRY REPORT
ARGENTINA
S o u rc e s
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