Argentina
Geography
• Population of 39
million
• 92% population
live in cities
• Capital –
Buenos Aires
with population
of 11.6 million
Andes Mountains to the West and
agricultural flatlands to the north
and east.
Patagonia in south is oil-rich
Iguaza Falls
• Varied climate
• North – sub-tropical (warm
summers and mild winters)
• South – sub-polar (warm
summers and very cold winters)
Economy
• Argentine Peso
• Agricultural
– Sunflower seeds,
lemons, grapes,
corn, and wheat
• Industries
– food processing,
cars, and clothing,
cattle
Government
• President: Cristina De Kirchner
• Vote when 18
• Three branches of government and 2
house legislative branches
Culture
Education
– Literacy rate 97%
– Education FREE but must buy
own books and uniform (white
lab coat that covers your
clothes)
– No buses (some ride horses)
– 8-12 or 1-5 (your choice)
– Many public universities are
free but must pass test to gain
entrance
Culture
• Soccer (football) is most popular sport
• National team has won several FIFA World
Cup titles and many of their players play
on European professional teams
Culture
• Oktoberfest: Villa General Belgrano
– German Immigrants
• Carnival
• Snow Festival: San Carlos de Barliloche
– August
– Town founded by Swiss immigrants
Language and People
• Spanish is official language but sounds
more Italian than Spanish from Spain
– Italian, German, English, French, and native
languages
• Culturally more European than Latin
American
white (mostly Spanish and Italian) 97%,
mestizo, Amerindian, or other non white
groups 3%