Argentina – República Argentina 

Brief Overview 2009

Coat of Arms

Capital: Buenos Aires
Area: 2,766,890km²
Land Borders with: Paraguay, Bolivia, Brazil, Uruguay and Chile
Population: 40,482,000
Official Language: Spanish
Motto: En unión y libertad (“In Unity and Freedom
NationalAnthem: Himno Nacional Argentino
Climate: Temperate with two extremes from subtropical in the South to subpolar in the far North
Terrain: Three distinct areas consisting of the Andean mountains along the Western border, flat and rolling plateau’s going South to Patagonia and rich plains of the Pampas in the North 
Currency: Peso
Main Religion: Roman Catholic
Government: Presidential Republic
President: President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner
Literary rate: 97%
National Airline: Aerolíneas Argentinas
International dialing code: 54
Largest: Argentina has the largest medal tally from the Pan American Games – current tally 247 gold medals
National Dish: Parilla (selection of  meats)

 History

Argentina was a former Spanish colony declaring independence on the 9^th July, 1816. It became a haven for Europeans who flocked there in their thousands. They transformed the economy and developed modern agriculture, making Argentina, in the early part of the 20^th century one of the most prosperous countries in the world. In 1946 Juan Peron was elected President, leading to a political movement called “Peronism”.  His wife Evita would become a national icon and play a central role. She died in 1952. In 1955 a violent coup, forced Peron from power and he fled to Spain.  Peronism was banned from political life. A period of repression from 1970 caused the disappearance of thousands of people. Peron returned to Argentina in 1973, taking office again until his death in 1974. This left his 3^rd wife Isabel as President until a coup D’etat removed her from office in 1976. Democracy, following defeat in the Falklands was restored in 1983. In 2001/02 Argentina went through a period of severe economic hardships leading to violent public protests, and unemployment running at 25%. In 2007 Argentina elected its first woman president and the country is currently enjoying a period of economic growth.  More on Argentina at Wikpedia