Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic (Spanish: República Argentina), is a country in southern South America. It extends across much of the continent's Southern Cone and borders Chile to the west, Bolivia and Paraguay to the north, and Brazil and Uruguay to the northeast and east. The South Atlantic Ocean lies along its eastern and southeastern coast.[1] Its capital and largest city is Buenos Aires.
Argentina has a surface area of about 2.8 million square kilometres, making it the second-largest country in South America and the largest Spanish-speaking country by area.[2][3] The 2022 national census recorded 45,892,285 inhabitants, while Argentina's National Institute of Statistics and Censuses projected a population of 46,466,688 for 1 July 2026.[4][5]
Argentina is organized as a federal representative republic. Its constitutional order developed from the Constitution adopted in 1853 and subsequent reforms, including the major reform of 1994.[6] The country consists of 23 provinces and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires.[7]
Argentina has played an important role in the political, economic and cultural development of Latin America. Its cultural traditions include tango, regional folk music and a substantial literary, artistic and sporting heritage. Argentina is a founding member of MERCOSUR and has been a member of the United Nations since the organization's establishment in 1945.[8][9]
Name
The country's name is associated with the Latin word argentum, meaning "silver". European accounts of the Río de la Plata region connected the area with stories and expectations of silver deposits. Forms of the name "Argentina" gradually came into wider geographical and political use and were eventually incorporated into the country's formal national identity.[2]
The constitutional name is República Argentina, or Argentine Republic. The terms Argentina, Argentine Republic and Argentine Nation are used in national institutions and legal contexts.[6]
Geography
Argentina stretches for more than 3,600 kilometres from north to south in its continental South American territory, producing substantial differences in landscape and climate. Its land boundaries total more than 9,000 kilometres, while its Atlantic coastline extends for thousands of kilometres.[1]
The Andes form the dominant geographical feature along much of the western border. Mountain elevations are greatest in the northwest and central-western regions. Aconcagua, in Mendoza Province near the Chilean border, rises to approximately 6,961 metres and is the highest mountain in the Americas.[10]
Large plains occupy much of central and eastern Argentina. The Pampas contain extensive fertile grasslands and soils that have supported agriculture and livestock production for generations. The Argentine national parks administration describes the Pampa ecoregion as covering about 39.7 million hectares and as one of the world's highly fertile plains.[11]
To the south lies Patagonia, which includes plateaus, steppe, mountains, glaciers and a long Atlantic coast. Northern Argentina contains subtropical forests, dry Chaco landscapes, wetlands and high-altitude environments, while the northeast includes the Paraná and Uruguay river systems.
Climate
Argentina's long north-south extent gives it a wide range of climates. The national meteorological information service describes the country broadly as lying within subtropical and temperate zones, while noting conditions ranging from tropical environments in parts of the north to cold climates in the south.[12]
The Andes have a major influence on rainfall and temperature patterns. Conditions are relatively dry in large areas east of the mountains, while parts of northeastern Argentina are humid. Patagonia generally becomes cooler toward the south and includes both relatively wet Andean zones and much drier interior plateaus.[12]
Environment and protected areas
Argentina contains ecosystems ranging from subtropical forests and wetlands to grasslands, deserts, high mountains and sub-Antarctic environments. National parks and other protected areas conserve examples of many of these landscapes.
Iguazú National Park in Misiones Province protects 67,698 hectares surrounding the Argentine side of the Iguazú Falls and adjoining subtropical forest. It was created in 1934 and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1984.[13]
UNESCO lists 12 World Heritage properties in Argentina, including both cultural and natural sites.[14]
History
Indigenous societies and colonization
Before European colonization, the territory of present-day Argentina was inhabited by numerous Indigenous peoples with different social, economic and cultural traditions.[2] Communities lived in environments ranging from the Andes and northwestern valleys to the Chaco, Pampas, Mesopotamia, Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego.
Spanish expansion into the region took place gradually. An early Spanish settlement at Buenos Aires was founded in 1536 but was later abandoned. Juan de Garay established a permanent settlement there in 1580.[15] The wider territory eventually became part of Spain's colonial administration in South America.
Independence and national organization
Political upheaval in Spain and growing local demands for self-government contributed to the May Revolution of 1810. On 25 May, a governing junta was established in Buenos Aires after the removal of Viceroy Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros. The event became an important stage in the process that led to independence.[16]
On 9 July 1816, the Congress of Tucumán declared the independence of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata from the Spanish monarchy.[17]
The decades following independence included disputes over the distribution of power between Buenos Aires and the provinces and over the political organization of the new state. A national constitution was adopted in 1853, although Buenos Aires initially remained outside the constitutional federation before later rejoining it.[18][6]
During the later 19th century Argentina experienced rapid population and economic growth. Large-scale immigration, particularly from Europe, strongly influenced the development of Buenos Aires and other urban areas as well as agriculture, industry and the country's social structure.[2] Historical records from the period document more than 1.3 million immigrant arrivals between 1857 and 1888 alone.[19]
Twentieth century
Political and social change accelerated during the 20th century. Juan Domingo Perón was elected president in 1946 and became one of the central figures of modern Argentine politics. His governments expanded the political importance of organized labour and social policy, while the political movement associated with him, known as Peronism or Justicialism, became an enduring force in the country's party system.[20] Perón was elected president in 1946, 1951 and again in 1973.[21]
Argentina experienced repeated changes between civilian and military governments during parts of the 20th century. On 24 March 1976, the armed forces overthrew the constitutional government and established the dictatorship that remained in power until 1983. The period was marked by systematic state repression, disappearances and other serious human-rights violations. Records concerning the dictatorship are preserved by Argentina's National Memory Archive and have also been used in judicial proceedings concerning crimes against humanity.[22]
Constitutional civilian government returned in 1983. Democratic institutions have continued since then despite periods of economic and political instability.
Recent period
Argentina suffered a severe economic and financial crisis in 2001–2002 after several years of recession. The crisis involved sovereign debt default, banking disruption and a breakdown of the existing currency regime.[23]
Subsequent governments followed differing approaches to taxation, public spending, exchange-rate management, social programmes, trade and relations with international creditors. Javier Milei assumed the presidency on 10 December 2023.[24]
Government and politics
Argentina's Constitution establishes a representative, republican and federal form of government.[25] Government powers are divided among executive, legislative and judicial branches.
The president serves as head of the national executive. Under the Constitution, the presidential term is four years and a president may be re-elected for one consecutive term.[26] As of September 2026, Javier Milei is president and Victoria Villarruel is vice president.[27]
Legislative authority at the national level is exercised by the National Congress, a bicameral legislature composed of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. The Chamber has 257 deputies, while the Senate has 72 members. Deputies serve four-year terms, with half of the chamber renewed every two years. Senators serve six-year terms, with one-third of the Senate renewed every two years. The vice president of Argentina serves as president of the Senate.[28]
Argentina's federal system contains 23 provinces and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. Provincial governments possess their own institutions under the national constitutional framework.[7]
Foreign relations
Argentina was among the original members of the United Nations, joining on 24 October 1945.[9] It is also a founding member of MERCOSUR. Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay signed the Treaty of Asunción on 26 March 1991, creating the framework for the regional integration organization.[8]
Argentina maintains a sovereignty claim over the Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as the Islas Malvinas. The islands are administered by the United Kingdom, while Argentina disputes British sovereignty. The issue remains a continuing subject in relations between the two countries.[29]
Economy
Argentina has a diversified economy based on agriculture, livestock, manufacturing, services, energy and natural resources. The country has extensive fertile agricultural land and is a significant producer and exporter of food and agricultural commodities. It also possesses substantial energy and mineral resources, including natural gas and lithium.[30]
Agriculture and livestock production are especially important in the Pampas and other productive regions. Manufacturing includes food processing, vehicles, chemicals, machinery and other industrial products. Argentina also has technology and knowledge-based service industries.[30]
The country's economy has experienced repeated periods of high inflation, exchange-rate instability and sovereign debt stress. The 2001–2002 collapse was one of its most severe modern economic crises.[23]
More recently, economic policy has focused on fiscal adjustment, monetary stabilization and changes to the exchange-rate and regulatory framework. The World Bank reports that real gross domestic product grew by 4.4 percent in 2025 and projected growth of 3.6 percent for 2026.[30] In its May 2026 review, the International Monetary Fund reported continued progress in macroeconomic stabilization while also noting economic and political risks and the importance of maintaining the fiscal framework.[31]
The national currency is the Argentine peso, commonly identified by the international currency code ARS.[3]
Population and society
The 2022 census counted 45,892,285 people in Argentina.[4] Official demographic projections placed the population at approximately 46.47 million in July 2026.[5] Argentina is highly urbanized, with Buenos Aires and its surrounding metropolitan area forming the country's largest concentration of population and economic activity.
Large waves of immigration beginning in the 19th century had a major influence on Argentina's population and urban culture.[2] Later migration from neighbouring Latin American countries and other regions added further diversity.
Spanish is the main language used in national government, education, media and everyday public life. Indigenous and immigrant languages are also spoken. The Library of Congress country guide identifies Spanish as the principal language while noting the continued presence of languages including Quechua and Mapudungun.[32]
Argentina's 2022 census found that 2.9 percent of people living in private households identified themselves as Indigenous or as descendants of Indigenous peoples.[33]
Roman Catholicism has historically had an important cultural presence. Article 2 of the national Constitution states that the federal government supports the Roman Catholic Apostolic religion.[25] Religious affiliation, however, is diverse. A 2026 report by the Pew Research Center found that 58 percent of Argentine adults surveyed identified as Catholic, while substantial sections of the population identified with other religions or with no religion.[34]
World Bank data recorded life expectancy at birth in Argentina at about 78 years in 2024.[35]
Culture
Argentina's culture reflects Indigenous traditions, Spanish colonial history, large-scale immigration and the country's varied regional identities. Buenos Aires developed into one of Latin America's major cultural centres, while provinces across the country maintain distinctive musical, culinary, literary and folk traditions.
Tango is among Argentina's most internationally recognized cultural traditions. It developed in the urban communities of Buenos Aires and Montevideo in the Río de la Plata region. In 2009, UNESCO inscribed the tango tradition of Argentina and Uruguay on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.[36]
Other Argentine traditions recognized by UNESCO include filete porteño, chamamé and Córdoba's cuarteto music and dance tradition.[37]
Argentina's built and natural heritage includes 12 UNESCO World Heritage properties. They range from historic urban and archaeological sites to protected natural landscapes.[14]
Sport
Association football is the country's most widely followed sport and has a major place in Argentine popular culture. The Argentina men's national team won the FIFA World Cup in 1978, 1986 and 2022. It also reached the final of the 2026 tournament.[38]
Other prominent sports in Argentina include rugby union, field hockey, basketball, tennis, polo and motorsport. The country has produced internationally successful athletes and teams across several of these disciplines.
See also
- Buenos Aires
- Geography of Argentina
- History of Argentina
- Culture of Argentina
- Patagonia
- South America
- MERCOSUR
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Límites. Government of Argentina. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Argentina, nuestro país. Government of Argentina. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedundata - ↑ 4.0 4.1 Censo Nacional de Población, Hogares y Viviendas 2022. National Institute of Statistics and Censuses of Argentina (INDEC). Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedindec-projection - ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Constitución de la Nación Argentina. Biblioteca del Congreso de la Nación. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Provincias. Government of Argentina. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Founding texts. MERCOSUR. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Member States. United Nations. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ Aconcagua – imagen satelital. Government of Argentina. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ Pampa. Administración de Parques Nacionales, Government of Argentina. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Clima. Government of Argentina and Servicio Meteorológico Nacional. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ Parque Nacional Iguazú. Administración de Parques Nacionales, Government of Argentina. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Argentina – World Heritage Convention. UNESCO. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ Calendario histórico de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Government of the City of Buenos Aires. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ 25 de Mayo: Revolución de Mayo. Government of Argentina. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ 9 de julio de 1816: Declaración de la Independencia de la Argentina. Government of Argentina. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ Guide to Law Online: Argentina. Law Library of Congress. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ Immigration to the Argentine Republic, 1857–1888. Office of the Historian, United States Department of State. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ Argentina since 1946. The Cambridge History of Latin America, Cambridge University Press. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ Biografía de Perón. Instituto Nacional Juan Domingo Perón. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ Archivo Nacional de la Memoria. Government of Argentina. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Lessons from the Crisis in Argentina. International Monetary Fund. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ Presidentes de la República Argentina. Government of Argentina. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedconstitution-form - ↑ Constitution of the Argentine Nation – Executive Branch. National Congress of Argentina. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ Congreso explicado. Chamber of Deputies of Argentina. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ Argentine judge orders halt to Falklands oil project as tensions with Britain rise. Associated Press. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 Argentina. World Bank. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ Argentina: 2026 Article IV consultation and review. International Monetary Fund. 22 May 2026. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ Argentina Country Guide. Library of Congress. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ Población indígena o descendiente de pueblos indígenas u originarios. National Institute of Statistics and Censuses of Argentina (INDEC). Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ Religious affiliation in Latin America. Pew Research Center. 21 January 2026. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ Argentina – Data. World Bank. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ Tango. UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ Argentina – Intangible Cultural Heritage. UNESCO. Accessed 23 September 2026.
- ↑ Equipos con más Copas Mundiales. FIFA. Accessed 23 September 2026.