Map Analysis By Luciano Ramirez

Population Argentina contains million people. 90 percent of the population live in urban areas. Buenos Aires is one of the most populated cities in the world, with almost 13 million in its metropolitan area. 97 percent of European stock, included those of Italian, Spanish, Welsh, English, French, and Russian descent. Mestizos, indigenous peoples, and other groups make up the rest.

A Map of Argentine Population Density The map to the right shows Argentina’s population density in relation to its provinces. The black circles vary in size to show the provincial populations in relation to one another.

A Map of Argentine Population Density (continued) This map is a geographically accurate map of Argentina’s population density. Buenos Aires, Rosario, and Córdoba are shown, which are the three largest cities in Argentina. Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, and parts of Bolivia and Brazil are also shown on this map.

Physical Features Argentina’s land area is 1,072,157 sq. mi. It stretches from the Gran Chaco to Tierra Del Fuego To the northeast lies the Río Del Plata, as well as the Paraná and Uruguay rivers. The Uruguay River and the Río Del Plata separate Argentina from Uruguay and Brazil. The Picomayo and Paraguay rivers separate Argentina and Paraguay. The Andes Mountains line the border between Argentina and Chile. The Gran Chaco and part of the Andes mountain chain form the border between Argentina and Bolivia.

Physical Features (continued) Mt. Aconcagua, located in the Andes, is 22,835 ft. high, and is Argentina’s tallest peak, as well the tallest in all of S. America. In the E. central part of Argentina are the Pampa, which is a vast grassland. To the east lies the southern Atlantic Ocean. In the Atlantic, Argentina has notoriously claimed Falkland, South Georgia, South Sandwich, and South Orkney Islands, all of which are British dependencies. Argentina also claims a sizable chunk of Antarctica, which lies directly south of the country.

Physical Map of Argentina The map to the right not only presents Argentina’s physical features, but also its topography. In the western part of the map, the Andes mountains are viewed. Major mountain peaks are also shown. In the east, the Paraguay river basin can be shown, which includes much of Argentina’s major river systems. In the bottom right-hand corner, a captioned projection shows the claims to part of Antarctica, as well as the southern Atlantic islands.

Vegetation In the Pampa, various kinds of grasses can be found, because of its dark, rich, and fertile soil. Many crops are grown there. Few kinds of vegetation can be encountered with in the Andean region of Argentina. In the surrounding lands overlooked by the Andes, its vegetation can range of short grasses to cacti. The poor soils of Patagonia in the south, do not for much botanical variety, and do not favor cultivation. In the flat alluvial lands of the Gran Chaco, there are several types of swampy plants in its marshlands, due to the lack of drainage of seasonal floods.

Vegetation Map of Argentina This map presents the various biomes of vegetative classification. Among them are the temperate steppes of the Pampa, the alpine tundras and montane forests of the Andes, and the subtropical dry forests of the Gran Chaco.

Climatic Regions Argentina’s climate can range from subtropical to an alpine climate of subzero temperatures. The NW Andes have an arid climate, which affects the semiarid lands east of them, due to a rain shadow imposed by the tall peaks and the Chilean ranges. The lands of the Pampas and those surrounding it have a very temperate and somewhat humid climate. Patagonia has a cold and dry climate, which is obvious due to its proximity to the Antarctic.

Climatic Map of Argentina This map shows Argentina’s regions of climate. As you can see, the different areas of climate are distinguished in different colors. Orange-red for subtropical areas, yellow for temperate, brown for arid and semiarid, and blue variations for cold climates.

Languages and Language Groups Spanish is the official language of Argentina, which is spoken by the vast majority of the population. Italian is also spoken by the Italian-Argentine community, compromises a large chunk of the national ethnic makeup. Various Araucanian and Patagonian language are spoken by the indigenous communities of both Argentina and Chile. In the north, a small but established populace speak several Quechua dialects. Guaraní dialects are also spoken in the Argentine lands surrounding Paraguay, where the Guaraní language is the official language. In the Misiones province, which borders Brazil, a minority speak Tupí.

Linguistic Map of Argentina The map to the right shows the various indigenous languages spoken in both and only Argentina and the Republic of Chile. Different language groups are color- coded on the map. Spanish is shown on the map in white.

Ethnic Groups and Makeup 97 percent of complete or partial European stock, included those of Italian, Spanish (including Basque), German, Swiss, Welsh, English, French, and Russian descent. These groups first immigrated in large numbers in the 1880’s, and several other waves of mass migration to Argentina occurred in the 1930’s and immediately after World War II. Mestizos, indigenous peoples (primarily both of Spanish and Quechua descent), and other groups make up the rest. The mestizo community is concentrated in the northwest. The Jewish population in Argentina, which compromise 2% of the national population, is the largest in South America, and is the fifth largest in the world.

Ethnic Map of Argentina (c. 1880) This map shows the various ethnic groups of Argentina and neighboring nations in 1880, for lack of a better ethnic map. This map reflects the various ethnic localities of the modern era, although the Spanish and other Latin groups, shown in beige, have largely uprooted the predominately indigenous population of Patagonia, which was conquered and pacified by General Julio A. Roca.

Administrative Divisions Argentina is composed on 22 provinces, one federal district (Buenos Aires), and one national territory (Tierra Del Fuego). Its claimed territories and enclaves (the Falklands, South Georgia, South Sandwich, and South Orkney Islands, as well as its claim in Antarctica are not administered by the claimant (the southern Atlantic islands are ruled by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Administrative Map of Argentina This is a general political map of Argentina. It displays provincial boundaries, provincial capitals, the national capital of Buenos Aires, and major infrastructure in the form of important roads and railways. The Falkland Islands are shown, but not the rest of the southern islands claimed by Argentina.

Political Regions Argentina can be divided into five regions: Buenos Aires, Central, the Great-North, Nuevo Cuyo, and Patagonia. Buenos Aires is composed of the province of its namesake, as well as the Federal District of Buenos Aires. The provinces of Córdoba, Santa Fe, and Entre Ríos make up the Central region of Argentina. The Great-North is made up of the Catamarca, Salta, Jujuy, Chaco, Formosa, Tucumán, Santiago Del Estero, Corrientes, and Misiones provinces. Nuevo Cuyo is composed of the provinces of La Rioja, San Juan, San Luis, and Mendoza. Patagonia is made up of the provinces of La Pampa, Neuquén, Río Negro, Chubut, Santa Cruz, and the lands claimed by Argentina.

Regional Map of Argentina This map presents the five constituent regions of Argentina that were described on the previous page.

Economy With $7,550 per capita, Argentina has one of the highest GNP per capita incomes in South America, and wealth is fairly distributed. The industrial sectors have grown in Argentina, which has had a traditionally agricultural economy. Livestock (Argentine herds are among the finest in the world) and grains have been the source of much of Argentine wealth, thanks mostly to the fertile and extremely productive soils of the Pampa. Argentina’s food output rivals that of the USA, Canada, and Australia. Wheat, corn, flax, oats, beef, mutton, hides, and wool are among its edible exports. Oilseeds, sorghum, soybeans, and sugar beets are also grown. Mineral deposits in Argentina are mostly of local importance, and do not serve a major role in total industrial output. Petroleum and natural gas production has made Argentina energetically self-sufficient. Pipelines connect the oil and gas fields to refining centers such as Buenos Aires. Low grade coal can be found in Patagonia, and Argentina is also has an ample amount of hydroelectric resources.

Economy (continued) Argentine industry has long been protected by a strong nationalistic policy, which in turn has made the country economically self- sufficient. Food processing is the main manufacturing industry. Textiles, chemicals, and leather goods are also produced. Argentina’s chief imports are machinery, metals, and other manufactured goods. Its chief trading partners are Brazil, Italy, the United States, and other European Union members. Argentina is a member of the Southern Cone Common Market and MERCOSUR. As of the recent decades, the Argentine economy has experienced periods of instability, inflation, and slow economic growth. High unemployment and a large national debt are among the rest of the economic problems for Argentina.

Economic Map of Argentina This map shows the land use and economic areas of Argentina. As you can see, agriculture and stock raising are widely practiced.