Key Facts

GDP (ppp) per CAPITA

$14,200 (2008 est.)

Inflation Rate

8.6% (2008 est.)

Population

40,913,584 (July 2009 est.)

Country Risk Ratings

C

Ease of Doing Business

113/181

Global Competitiveness

88/134

Country Map

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gE Network

There are 30 members in the
gE Network for this country.

Argentina : Introduction

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, but most particularly Italy and Spain, which provided 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 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. The economy has recovered strongly since bottoming out in 2002.

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Sources:
CIA World Factbook (September 2009)
U.S. Dept. of State Country Background Notes (December 2008)