Argentina is a federal republic in southern South America with about 46 million people and an area of 2.78 million km², the eighth largest country in the world. The capital is Buenos Aires, the language Spanish and the currency the peso. It is a G20 member and declared independence on 9 July 1816.
Key facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official name | Argentine Republic (República Argentina) |
| Capital | Buenos Aires |
| Population | About 46 million (2022 census) |
| Area | 2.78 million km², 8th largest in the world |
| Government | Federal presidential republic: 23 provinces plus the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires |
| Language | Spanish |
| Currency | Argentine peso (ARS) |
| Memberships | G20, UN, founding member of Mercosur |
| Time zone | UTC−3 |
Geography
- North: the Iguazú Falls on the Brazilian border and the painted valleys of Salta and Jujuy.
- West: the Andes and Aconcagua, at 6,961 m the highest peak outside Asia; Mendoza's vineyards lie at its foot.
- Centre: the Pampas, heart of Argentine agriculture.
- South: Patagonia, the Perito Moreno Glacier, the lakes of Bariloche and Ushuaia, one of the world's southernmost cities.
History in brief
The May Revolution of 25 May 1810 set up the first local government in Buenos Aires, and independence was declared at the Congress of Tucumán on 9 July 1816. The constitution dates from 1853. Mass immigration, mainly from Italy and Spain, reshaped the country in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Democracy was restored in 1983. Since December 2023, President Javier Milei's government has pursued a wide economic reform agenda, during which the citizenship by investment framework was created.
National symbols
- Flag: light blue and white bands designed by Manuel Belgrano in 1812.
- Sol de Mayo: the Sun of May at the flag's centre, commemorating the May Revolution and evoking the Inca sun god Inti.
- Albiceleste: "white and sky blue", the national colours and the national football team's nickname.
- National bird: the hornero, which builds oven-shaped mud nests.
- National flower: the ceibo.
Culture
- Tango: born on the Río de la Plata; UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2009, jointly with Uruguay.
- Food and wine: asado, empanadas, dulce de leche, mate, and Malbec from Mendoza.
- Football: world champions in 1978, 1986 and 2022.
- Letters and science: Borges and Cortázar; five Nobel laureates in peace, medicine and chemistry.
- Faith: Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) was born in Buenos Aires.
Economy
One of Latin America's largest economies: a leading exporter of soy, maize, wheat and beef; home to Vaca Muerta, among the world's largest shale oil and gas resources; and part of the lithium triangle with Chile and Bolivia. Inflation and currency volatility have been recurring challenges; they do not affect the programme directly, since contributions are set in US dollars and no assets need to be held in Argentina.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Argentina?
Buenos Aires.
What does the sun on Argentina's flag mean?
The Sol de Mayo commemorates the May Revolution of 1810 and evokes the Inca sun god Inti.
What language is spoken in Argentina?
Spanish. No language test has been announced for the investment programme.
Sources
- Government of Argentina (argentina.gob.ar)
- INDEC 2022 National Census
- UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, Tango (2009)