Argentina in a nutshell

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República Argentina

Buenos Aires (11.5 mln inhabitants)

Federal presidential republic

Spanish

2 780 400 km² / 1 073 514 sq mi. Argentina is the eight-largest country in the world.

Argentina lies between 53° and 73° western longitude and 21.5° and 55° southern latitude. The country spans 3700 km (2300 mi) from north to south, and 1570 km (975 mi) from east to west. Argentina's north-south extension is a bit less than Chile's.

Mt. Aconcagua, 6959 m (22800 ft). This is the highest mountain outside Asia.

Río Paraná (3700 km, 2300 mi)

38.2 mln (2004), of which 11.5 mln live in greater Buenos Aires. Therefore, about one third of the population resides close to the capital. Over 90% of today's population is Caucasian and descendants of European immigrants. They've been characterized as Italians talking Spanish, dressed like French and regarding themselves as English.

In average 14 inhabitants/km². For comparison: in Switzerland 170 inhabitants share one km², in Denmark 125. However, as noted above, one third of the population lives around Buenos Aires. Therefore, the population density out in the Pampa will be much lower. In particular, the population down at Patagonia is probably similar to Chile, about 1 inhabitant/km² in average. Such a small population density  is in great contrast to the huge population I experienced e.g. in Korea.

74.5 years

5%

95% Catholics, 2% Protestants, 3% others

USD 5458 per capita (2006)

The Argentinean economy has seen several sever depressions in the past. In the beginning of the 20th century Argentina has been one of the wealthiest countries on earth due to a rich amount of raw materials such as wool and meat. Today, however, the nation suffers from an immense foreign indebtedness. Still, farming is the most important economical basis of Argentina. Like Chile the country has a rich amount of mineral resources; they have, however, not been tapped yet.