Argentina, with its temperate climate, Spanish-style architecture, and diverse population, draws tourists to some of the best sights South America has to offer. European opera houses and plazas are plentiful in Buenos Aires, wine and skiing are available in Mendoza, and penguins hobble about comically in Tierra Del Fuego.
Argentina is regarded as South America’s second largest country, following Brazil, which includes twenty-three provinces overall. The country is indeed a large chunk of land, measuring about 2.8 square km, making it the number 8th biggest and largest country in the whole world.
The neighboring countries of Argentina are Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil. It is also considered as one of the world’s best tourist spots, because it is the home of some of the best ecotourism like high peak mountains, wild and beautiful deserts, and captivating waterfalls you can never find elsewhere.
The official name of Argentina is Argentine Republic. The main language spoken by the people in Argentina is Spanish. However, you may also encounter people speaking in various languages such as French, German, English, as well as Italian.
The country’s name – Argentina is actually derived from a Spanish term called Argentum, which literally means silver in English. It was named after that metal, because early Spanish people thought that the country was blessed with high amounts of silver metal in their peak mountains, but in fact, they saw none. Instead, the country of Argentina is abundant in natural elements such as: lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum, uranium.
When it comes to Latin America, Argentina is considered being the third country for having the largest economy. Furthermore, the country is also a member of several groups like the United Nations, Mercosur, Union of South American Nations, World Bank Group, Organization of Ibero American States, World Trade Organization, The G15 and G20.
Interesting facts about Argentina
Buenos Aires has the second largest Jewish population (over 300,000) in the Americas after New York.
Argentina has the largest population of Muslims in Latin America.
Other facts about Argentina
Current President – Cristina Fernandez De Kirchner (since December 10, 2007)
Land area: 1,056,636 sq mi
Total area: 1,068,296 sq mi
Population: 40,764,561 (as of 2011)
Growth rate: 1%
Birth rate: 17.7/1000
Infant mortality rate: 11.1/1000
Life expectancy: 76.7
Density (/sq mi): 38
Capital: Buenos Aires
Large cities: Cordoba, Rosario, Mendoza, Mar del Plata.
Currency: Peso
Government: Federation, Presidential system, Representative democracy, Federal republic
Religion: Roman Catholicism
