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ARGENTINA
The name "Argentina"
It comes from the Latin term “argentum”,
which means silver. The origin of this name goes back
to the first voyages made by the Spanish conquerors
to the Río de la Plata. The survivors of the
shipwrecked expedition mounted by Juan Díaz de
Solís found indigenous people in the region who
gave them silver objects as presents. The news about
the legendary Sierra del Plata - a mountain rich in
silver - reached Spain around 1524. As from this date,
the Portuguese named the river of Solís, Río
de la Plata (River of Silver). Two years later the Spanish
used the same name. The National Constitution adopted
in 1853 included the name “República Argentina”
(Argentine Republic) among the official names to designate
the government and the country’s territory.
Location, area and frontiers
Located in South America, and thus, in
the southern hemisphere,
Argentina has an area of almost 3.8 million square
kilometers, 2.8 on the continent – approximately
54% are plains (grasslands and savannahs), 23%, plateaus,
and the other 23%, mountains - and the remainder in
the Antarctic. It is 3,800 Km. long and is located between
latitude 22º and 55º. Its border with Uruguay,
Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and Chile has a perimeter
of 9,376 Km, while the territory bordered by the Atlantic
Ocean is 4,725 Km long.
Geography
the states are twenty five. Tierra del
Fuego and south atlantic islands, SanTa Cruz, Chubut,
Rio Negro, Neuquen, Mendoza, San Juan, San Luis, La
Pampa, Cordoba, Buenos Aires, Entre Rios, Corrientes,
Santiago del Estero, Tucuman, Salta , Jujuy, Formosa,
Chaco, Catamarca, Rio Negro, Santa Fe y Misiones.
Argentina’s main characteristic is
the enormous contrast between the immense eastern plains
and the impressive Andes mountain range to the west.
This is the frontier with Chile and boasts the highest
peak in the Western hemisphere: the 6,959 m high Aconcagua.
From Jujuy to Tierra del Fuego, the Andes present marvelous
contrasts: the Northwest plateaus, the lake region,
the forests and glaciers in the Patagonia.
To the north, Chaco is a forested area linked to rivers
Bermejo, Salado and Pilcomayo.
Between the Paraná and Uruguay rivers, the Argentine
Mesopotamia (provinces of Entre Ríos, Corrientes
and Misiones) is formed by low hills, where pools and
marshlands evidence the ancient courses of these great
rivers. In some places within the subtropical rain forest,
there are fissures which provide such spectacular phenomena
as the Iguazú Falls.
The Pampas, in the center of Argentina, is the largest
and best-known area of plains. Agricultural and livestock
activities are performed in this area, which includes
the province of Buenos Aires, the northeast of La Pampa,
the south of Córdoba and south of Santa Fe. To
the south, the plains give way to small hills in Tandil
and de la Ventana, and to the west, to the Córdoba
hills.
Towards the south, from the Andes to the sea, there
appear the sterile and stony plateaus of Patagonia,
swept by the wind during most of the year. The Atlantic
coast, lined with high cliffs, forms massive indentations
like the Peninsula Valdés, with its spectacular
and unique colonies of sea animals.
Climate
The country’s territory offers a wide
variety of climates: subtropical in the North, sub-Antarctic
in the southern Patagonia, and mild and humid in the
Pampas plains. Media temperature from November to March
is 23° C, and 12° C from June to September.
Population
Argentina’s current population is
more than 36 million inhabitants, almost half of which
live in the city and the province of Buenos
Aires. Population density calculated on a national
basis is 13 inhabitants per square kilometer.
95% of the population is white and most are descendants
of Italians and Spaniards. As a result of the massive
European immigration, the white and Indian half-castes
were slowly reduced and at the present they amount only
to 4.5% of the population. The pure indigenous population
- Mapuches, Collas, Tobas, Matacos and Chiriguanos -
amount to 0.5% of the population.
Language
Spanish is the official language of the
Argentine Republic. In Buenos Aires, some “lunfardo”
expressions -city slang - are used.
Religion
There is complete religious freedom in
Argentina, although the official religion is Roman Catholic.
Other religions practiced in the country are Protestant,
Jewish, Moslem, Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox and
others.
Currency
The official Argentine currency is the
Peso. There are bills of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 pesos,
and coins of 1 peso and 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents.
Constitution and Government
Argentina
consists of 23 provinces plus a federal district, the
City Buenos Aires. The Argentine Constitution establishes
a Republic under a representative and federal system,
and three separate branches of government: executive,
legislative and judicial.
The executive branch is exercised by the President and
Vice-president of the Nation, elected for a 4-year term,
and who may be reelected for a single additional term.
The legislative branch is bicameral: the Senate (composed
of three senators from each province and from the
City of Buenos Aires) and the House of Representatives
(composed of representatives elected directly and in
proportion to each district’s population). The
judicial branch “is vested in the Supreme Court
and lower courts of justice”.
Each province has adopted its own Constitution in accordance
with the National Constitution, to rule its administration.
The current National Constitution dates from 1853. Nevertheless,
it was amended in 1860, 1898, 1957 and 1994. The last
amendment made in August 1994, allows the President’s
reelection for an additional term.
Two historic dates
May 25, 1810. The first "Gobierno
Patrio" or National Government Assembly was constituted.
July 9, 1816. Proclamation of Independence by the “Provincias
Unidas del Río de la Plata”.
National emblems
About argentina's flag.
The Argentine flag has three horizontal stripes: the
one in the middle is white and bears the golden sun,
and the two outside stripes are light blue.
The national flower is the ceibo, and the national
stone is the manganese spar (rodocrosita) or "Inca
Rose".
BUENOS
AIRES,
CAPITAL OF THE ARGENTINA
BUENOS
AIRES
The Megalopolis
Buenos Aires
is one of the largest cities in the world; a megalopolis
with over eleven million inhabitants in both the city
and its surroundings. It is also the most elegant and
the busiest city in South America which represents the
Argentine essence.In spite of its modern constructions
and dynamic activity, it has managed to preserve old
traditions and charming corners. Visitors are fascinated
by its environment, the individuality of each of its
neighbourhoods, the cordiality of its people, and its
wide selection of cultural and commercial opportunities.
Buenos Aires,
surrounded by Argentina’s splendid countryside,
is the great cosmopolitan doorway to South America.
Buenos Aires is called " The
Paris of Southamerica" . A singular, open
and integrating destination that allows the visitor
not only to view the city but also to live an exceptional
urban adventure. Buenos
Aires combines varied experiences and this variety
may suit all tastes – Bue is really close to any
visitor
Location
The City
of Buenos Aires is the capital of the Argentine
Republic and is located in the southern hemisphere,
latitude 34º 36’ and longitude 58º 26’.
The city extends on a plain and has 202 square kilometers
(78.3 sq miles). Approximately 3 million people live
in this city. Including the metropolitan area, the total
population of Buenos
Aires is above eleven millions, making it one of
the 10 most populated urban centers in the world.
History
Buenos Aires was founded twice:
The first foundation was in 1536. Don Pedro de Mendoza,
a Spanish colonizer, established the first settlement.
He named it Ciudad del Espíritu Santo y Puerto
Santa María del Buen Ayre. The second, and
final, foundation was in 1580. Juan de Garay called
the site Ciudad de Trinidad.
In the 19th. century, the port was the arrival point
for the great migratory wave promoted by the Argentine
State to populate the nation. Spanish, Italian, Germany,
French, Arabian and Polish immigrants provided Buenos
Aires with the cultural eclecticism that is so characteristic
of the city.
During the 20th. century, successive immigrations -
from the provinces, other Latin American countries and
Eastern countries – completed the picture of Buenos
Aires as a cosmopolitan city in which people with
different cultures and religions live together.
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