About Argentina
Comprising almost the entire southern half of South America, Argentina is the world's eighth largest country, covering an area of 2.8 million square km. Argentina possesses some of the world's tallest mountains, expansive deserts, and impressive waterfalls, with the diversity of the land ranging from wild, remote areas in southern Patagonia to the bustling metropolis of Buenos Aires in the north.

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.

Area:
total: 2,766,890 sq km
land: 2,736,690 sq km
water: 30,200 sq km
Second-largest country in South America (after Brazil)
Slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US
Capital: Buenos Aires
Other Important Cities: Córdoba, Mendoza, Salta, San Carlos de Bariloche.
Terrain: Rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border
Climate: Mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest.

People
Nationality: Noun and adjective-- Argentine(s).
Population: 39,144,753 (July 2004 est.).
Annual population growth: 1.02%.
Religion: nominally Roman Catholic 92% (less than 20% practicing), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 4%
Language: Spanish.
Health: Infant mortality rate-- 15/1,000. Life expectancy--men 72 yrs., women 79 yrs.



Government
Type: Republic.
Independence: 9 July 1816
Constitution: 1 May 1853
Branches: Executive--President (chief of state and head of government). Legislative--Bicameral Congress.
Judicial--Supreme Court, Constitutional Court, Council of State, Superior Judicial Council.
Administrative divisions: 23 provinces; Buenos Aires, capital district.
Suffrage: Universal and compulsory, age 18 and over.

SOURCE: CIA - The World FactBook