Argentina

In 1816, the United Provinces of the Rio Plata declared their independence from Spain. After Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay went their separate ways, the area that remained became Argentina. The country’s population and culture were heavily shaped by immigrants from throughout Europe, with Italy and Spain providing the largest percentage of newcomers from 1860 to 1930. Up until about the mid-20th century, much of Argentina’s history was dominated by periods of internal political conflict between Federalists and Unitarians and between civilian and military factions.

After World War II, an era of Peronist populism and direct and indirect military interference in subsequent governments was followed by a military junta that took power in 1976. Democracy returned in 1983 after a failed bid to seize the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) by force, 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 successive resignations of several presidents. The years 2003-15 saw Peronist rule by Nestor and Cristina FERNANDEZ de KIRCHNER, whose policies isolated Argentina and caused economic stagnation. With the election of Mauricio MACRI in November 2015, Argentina began a period of reform and international reintegration.

Elevation extremes:
  • lowest point: Laguna del Carbon -105 m (located between Puerto San Julian and Comandante Luis Piedra Buena in the province of Santa Cruz) is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere
  • highest point: Cerro Aconcagua 6,962 m (located in the northwestern corner of the province of Mendoza is the highest point in the Western Hemisphere

(CIA World Factbook)

One comment

  1. Ushiaia is the the southernmost city in the world. It is one of the jumping off points if you are going to Antartica. It has a bit of an Alaska feel with great king crab.
    Iguazu Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. You can take raft trips into the Argentine side of the falls, for a great adventure:

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