Argentina

Geography

Economics

Demographics

Military

Politics

Due to its large size, Argentina also has one of the largest coastlines in the world. It borders a total of five states, with Bolivia and Paraguay to the north, Brazil and Uruguay in the Northeast and Chile to the west. It also borders the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and is the state with the closest proximity to Antarctica

Argentina, which roughly translates to the Italian word for silver or made of silver, has been explored by Juan Diaz the Solis 1516. It has been known for its tango as well as its wines that are exported throughout the world. Due to its large size, Argentina is known to have many landscapes which range from iconic coastlines and green rain forests in the North to arid deserts in the center, and large snowy mountains to the south. Since its existence, Argentina has been under Spanish rule for nearly 300 years. It was only after the conquering of Spain by Napoleon in 1810 that Argentina proclaimed independence. During both world wars Argentina has remained neutral. However, its position during the second world war has been dubious.

Argentina is the eighth largest state in the world with a surface area of 2,800,000 km² or approximately 1,000,000 square miles. By surface area, Kazakhstan is slightly smaller, and India is slightly larger.

Surface

Surface (in square kilometers)

Surface (in square miles)

Its water surface is estimated to be around 44,000 km² or 17,000 mi.² This corresponds to roughly 1.6% of its total surface area. This ranks Argentina as the 16th largest state by surface water.

Surface (water)

Water Surface (in square kilometers)

Water Surface (in square miles)

Share of water (%)

Groundwater is the main source of water for the population of Argentina. However, in recent years water pollution has become an increasing problem. This is especially prevalent in the regions within Argentina that are low in water replenishment, such as its desert area.

Argentina experiences four seasons. However, the seasons are experienced differently within its different regions. Its winters can be very cold in the center and the South, but can be experienced as mildly cold in its desert and northern area. And vice versa its summers can be experienced as very hot in its desert area and mildly warm and humid in its central and southern parts. On average, Argentina has a temperature of 16.1°C for 61°F. This ranks Argentina as the 127th warmest State in the world.

Temperature

Argentina’s average highest temperature is estimated to be at 22.7°C or 72.86°F. This ranks Argentina as the 124th warmest state in the world.

Average temperature (in Celcius)

Average temperature (in Farenheit)

Average high temperature (in Celcius)

Average high temperature (in Farenheit)

Its average lowest temperatures 10.1°C or 50.18°F which ranks it as the 59th coldest state in the world.

Average low temperature (in Celcius)

Average low temperature (in Farenheit)

Rainfall

Due to its variation in climate, the amount of precipitation also varies heavily throughout Argentina. Argentina experiences the most rainfall in the northern part where it has a densely forested areas and experiences snowfall in the southern part. Its central and desert area experiences the lowest amount of rainfall. On average, Argentina experiences 87.2 cm of rainfall or 34.2 inches. This ranks it as the 112th state with the highest rainfall.

Average rainfall (mm)

Average rainfall (inch)

Distance to other capitals (kilometers)

Distance to other capitals (miles)

Proximity

The Argentinean capital, Buenos Aires, has a population of over 2.7 million inhabitants within its city limits and a total of more and 13 million inhabitants within its metropolitan area. With its closest capital being Montevideo Uruguay with a distance of 212 km or 132 miles, and Seoul South Korea as its most distant capital with a distance of 19,500 km or 12,100 miles.

Even though Argentina is high in resources and has a fairly high educated population, it has experienced economic hardships in recent history. As a result of recurring economic crises, high inflation as well as economic mismanagement, the Argentinian economy has been weakened at the start of the 20th century. These problems have been exacerbated by the decoupling of the Argentinian Peso to the US dollar in 2002. After a short recovery and a relatively high GDP growth, its economy once again shrank as a result of the economic crisis of 2008. Since then, its economy has grown at a slower pace than before the crisis. At present, Argentina is the second largest economy of South America. Its economy is mainly based on agricultural products and its imports and exports are regularly prone to strict regulations by the Argentinian government. Its main export products are corn, soybeans meat and dairy products which are mainly exported to Brazil, China and the United States. These states are also its largest import partners.

Economic organizations

Gross Domestic Product (US$)

Gross Domestic Product per capita

Amount of memberships (economic organizations)

Absolute earnings for every 1$

Relative earnings

GDP in PPP per capita (in US$)

GDP in PPP per capita

Gross Domestic product (in million US$)

GDP per capita (in US$)

Internationally, Argentina is a member of eighteen international economic organizations which ranks it as the 23rd most economically interconnected state in the world. Argentina is a member of the following international economic organizations:

African development Bank
Bank for International Settlements
Caribbean Development Bank
Financial Action Task Force
Inter-American Development Bank
International Monetary Fund
World Bank Group
World Customs Organization
World Trade Organization
International Bamboo and Rattan Organization

Mercosur
Central American Bank for Economic Integration
Nuclear Energy Agency
International Renewable Energy Agency
Group of 15
Group of 77
Group of 24
G20

The GDP of Argentina is over US$480 billion, which corresponds to 0.6% of the total global GDP and ranks Argentina’s GDP as the 27th highest in the world.

Its GDP per capita is US$10,640. This ranks Argentina is the 67th highest GDP per capita in the world.

The figure below displays the average amount that inhabitant of other states earn for every 1$ that an average Argentinian citizen makes.

Due to its large size, the GDP per surface area ranks Argentina 131th with a GDP of $171,000 per square kilometer or $443,821 per square mile.

Surface GDP

GDP per square kilometer (in US$)

GDP per square mile(in US$)

Relative GDP in PPP

The purchase power parity per capita corresponds to roughly $21,000, which ranks its citizens with the 67th highest purchasing power in the world

The relative Gross Domestic Product in Purchasing Power Parity compares the purchasing power of the Dominican Republic with the rest of the world.

The graph on the left displays the purchasing power parity of the rest of the world in relation to the purchasing power of 1$ in the Dominican Republic.

As a result of centuries of immigration, Argentina mainly consists of people with European ancestry with the exception of native inhabitants in the north of Argentina. At present, Argentina is home to nearly 45 million inhabitants and has an urbanization rate of 93.1%. Its official language is Spanish due to its Spanish history, but other European languages such as English German French and Italian are also widely spoken.

Population

Population density

Its population density is 16 people per square kilometer or 41 people per square mile which ranks it as the 173rd most densely populated states in the world.

Emigration

It is estimated that just over 1 million people, or 2.2% of the total population of Argentina has emigrated. These mainly consist of people from European and North American descent that have returned to these continents. The total amount of emigrants from Argentina represents 0.4% of all emigrants in the world.

Immigration

Aside from its neighboring states, Argentina has seen an increase of immigrants from South East Asia. This is the result of an immigration friendly policy by the Argentinian state. Illegal immigration has also been an issue for Argentina, which estimates that several hundred thousand people reside within the Argentinian border illegally. Aside from illegal immigration, Argentina has also taken in refugees in recent years. It is estimated that around 216,000 people have immigrated to the to Argentina which represents around 4.8% of the total population or 0.8% of the total global immigration.

Literacy

The education system, and subsequently the literacy rate of Argentina has been relatively high compared to the region. It is estimated that more than 98% of the population is literate. This ranks Argentina as the 56th most literate state in the world.

Health

Healthcare in Argentina has been heavily subsidized by the Argentinian state. It is estimated that around half the population receives free healthcare. This includes hospitalization costs, but covers a broad range of medical services, including dental care as well as prosthetics. The average life expectancy is 77.2 years, with women reaching 80.4 years and men reaching 73.8 years. This ranks Argentinian citizens as the 67th most healthy citizens in the world.

Population density (in km2)

Population density (in mi2)

Religion

The Argentinian Constitution provides freedom of religion and is ranked as the 87th most multi religious state in the world. However, it is hard for minority religions to obtain an official status of recognition. This is due to its dictatorial past, which sought to limit the influence of minority religions. On average, there have been some reports of discrimination towards minority religions which mainly stem from its citizens.

Argentina is a Christian majority state due to its deep connections to the Catholic Church as a result of its Spanish history. Officially, around 86% of the population adheres to the Christian faith which ranks Argentina as the 32nd most Christian state in the world. However, there are some reports that argue that around 25% of the Christian population practices their religion on a daily basis.

Christianity (share of the total population)

Islam (share of the total population)

The history of Islam in Argentina can be traced back to the Moors. After the start of the Spanish Inquisition, many adherents of Islam fled the Iberian Peninsula to northern Africa, but also South America. Muslims arrived in larger numbers during the 19th century, but still in relatively small numbers in relation to the total population size. It is estimated that the total amount of Muslims is under 500,000 which roughly corresponds to 1% of the population and ranks Argentina as the 127th most Islamic state in the world.

As a result of the immigration from Southeast Asian states, Buddhism has been rising since the early 1980s. Many Buddhist religions are represented by Chinese and Korean immigrants which have founded their temples in the same period. It is estimated that around 0.08% of the population adheres to the Buddhist faith.

Buddhism (share of the total population)

Hinduism is represented by 0.04 percent of the population. These are mainly Indian immigrants which are mainly situated in Buenos Aires.

Hinduism (share of the total population)

Judaism (share of the total population)

As a result of the Spanish Inquisition, the first Jews have fled Spain and arrived in Argentina in the 16th century. However, during this period, Argentina was still a colony of Spain. This meant that Judaism wasn’t allowed until Argentinian independence in 1810. From that moment on many Jews from around the world have been arriving in Argentina with the largest share coming from Europe. At present, it is estimated that around 0.5% of the total population adheres to the Jewish faith. This makes Argentina the third-largest state populated by Jews in the Americas.

Other religions (share of the total population)

Most other religions stem from native inhabitants that live in the northern part of Argentina. It is estimated that around 0.73% of Argentine citizens are members of these native religions.

Non-religious (share of the total population)

As mentioned earlier with Christianity, many Argentinians do not practice their religion intensely. This gave way to the rise of atheism in Argentina. It is estimated that around 8.17% is nonreligious. Since the start of this century atheist organizations have held several rallies promoting atheism and a separation of church and state within Argentina.

Military spending (in % of GDP)

Military spending

At present, Argentina invests around US$3.1 billion annually which corresponds to 0.82% of its GDP. This budget ranks Argentina as the 53rd most funded military in the world and reflects 0.16% of total global military spending

The Argentinian military, also known as the Fuerzas Armadas de la República Argentina, consists of a navy, land and air forces as well as an additional military police. These forces are under the direct control of the Argentinian president as well as the Ministry of Defense. The Argentinian military mainly partakes in the United Nations mandates as well as assisting civilians during humanitarian catastrophes. It is also one of the few militaries that is active in Antarctica. Since the 1980s the defense budgets of the Argentinian military and has been steadily declining. This has led to the shrinkage of the Argentinian military as well as the degradation of its equipment.

Military membership

It is also a member of nine international military organizations, which ranks Argentina as the 30th most militarily interconnected state in the world. It is a member of the following international military organizations:

System of Cooperation Among the American Air Forces
Conference on Disarmament
Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
Wassenaar Arrangement
Nuclear Suppliers Group
Australia Group
Missile Technology Control Regime
International Atomic Energy Agency
Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization

Military membership

International wars

In total Argentina has been involved in five international wars since its independence. These wars are:

Argentine War of Independence 1810-1818
War of the Confederation 1836-1839
Platine War 1851-1851
Paraguayan War 1864-1870
Falklands War 1981-1981

Number of international wars fought

Military spending (in US$ million)

Membership (international political organizations)

In total, Argentina is a member of 13 international political organizations. This ranks Argentina as the 59th most politically interconnected state in the world. It is a member of the following international political organizations:

Member states of the United Nations
International Labour Organization
Organization of American States
Community of Latin American and Caribbean States
International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property
Organization of Ibero-American States
UNIDROIT
International Criminal Court
Interpol
Permanent Court of Arbitration
Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels
South Centre (organization)
World Organization for Animal Health

Political Membership

Democracy/dictatorship rating

In its past, Argentina has had a long history of dictatorships and military coups. This has severely limited the democratic process in Argentina. However, in the last 40 years, Argentina has been transitioning towards a democracy and is currently considered as a full democracy and ranks as the 42nd most democratic state in the world.