Facts & Figures

Total Area:2,766,890 sq km                    Land Borders: Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay
Population: 39,921,833                               
Life Expectancy: 76 years                       HIV % Total Poulation:0.1
Ethnic Groups: white (mostly Spanish and Italian) 97%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry), Amerindian, or other non-white groups 3%
Languages:Spanish (official), English, Italian, German, French
President:Nestor KIRCHNER                  GDP - Per Capita: $13,100

History

Following independence from Spain in 1816, Argentina experienced periods of internal political conflict between conservatives and liberals and between civilian and military factions. After World War II, a long period of Peronist authoritarian rule and interference in subsequent governments was followed by a military junta that took power in 1976. Democracy returned in 1983, and has persisted despite numerous challenges, the most formidable of which was a severe economic crisis in 2001-02 that led to violent public protests and the resignation of several interim presidents.