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Argentina
Relevant information about Argentina.
The vast territory of Argentina counts with great tourist attractions. The valuation of the local currency after the devaluation in 2002 encouraged the arrival of large numbers of foreign tourists, making the country commercially more accessible. Buenos Aires highlights itself as the most visited destiny. They are attracted by its cosmopolitanism. Cataratas del Iguazú (Iguazú Falls) is another main attraction center, declares Natural Heritage Site by Unesco in 1984, the river fall complements itself with the natural subtropical forest that surround it. The country is also gifted with mountains, lakes, puna, glaciers and beaches.
Most of Argentineans live either in the Federal District or in the Gran Buenos Aires, the urban belt that surrounds it. This locations concentrates up to 33% of the population, in just a 0,14% of the national territory. There are some others densely populated areas, they are: Gran Córdoba, Gran Rosario, Gran Mendoza y Gran San Miguel de Tucumán. In 2001 census, Argentina had a population of 37,282,970 habitants. This numbers ranked Argentina as third most populated in Latin America and the 33rd in the world. It´s estimated that the population in 2009 grew up to 40,134,425. The population growth rate is descending. In the 1980-1991 period was of 1,47% and in the 1991 – 2001 period of 1,25%. The percentage of senior citizens in Argentina is way above the world average, and it´s only overcome in the region by Cuba and Uruguay. Argentina's population has long had one of Latin America's lowest population growth rates (recently, about one percent a year), and it also enjoys a comparatively low infant mortality rate. The birth rate is of 2.3 children per women, just a little above over the replacement rate (2.1). Argentina is considered a country of immigrants. Over 6,000,000 European´s immigrated to Argentina in the period 1850-1950. Argentina was second only to the United States in the number of European immigrants received, and at the time, the national population doubled every two decades mostly as a result. The majority of these European immigrants came from Italy and Spain. There were also lots of immigrants from France, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, Greece, Portugal and the United Kingdom. Lots of people from Eastern Europe also arrived the country: Russia, Ukraine, Polan, Hungary, Croatia, Romania, and Slovenia. Nowadays, and for the first time in history, Latin-American immigration is stronger than overseas. There is, also, a large Jewish community in the country, the 5th largest in the world. Although Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, the Argentinean State recognize the preeminent character of the Catholic Church. 88% of Argentineans have been baptized, but just between a 75% and a 78% consider their self as practicing. 12% belongs to other Christians churches, another 12% is for agnostic people, 1.5% are Muslims, 1% Jewish. Argentine culture has significant European influences. The other big influence is the gauchos and their traditional country lifestyle of self-reliance. Finally, indigenous American traditions (like yerba mate infusions) have been absorbed into the general cultural milieu. Argentina´s literature is enriching and posses the most active publishing industry in the region. Some of the most notable writers include: José Hernández, Ricardo Güiraldes, Jorge Luis Borges, Adolfo Bioy Casares, Julio Cortazar, Leopoldo Lugones, Victoria Ocampo, Manuel Puig, Leopoldo Marechal, Ernesto Sábato. Argentina is also a major producer of motion pictures, producing 80 films every year. Two movies won Academy Award for Best Foreign Film (The Official Story and The Secret in Their Eyes). BAFICI and Mar del Plata Film Festival are two world large recognize cinema festivals. The country is also known for being the birthplace of Tango. Astor Piazzola and Carlos Gardel are the most recognizable emblems. Argentinean folk is very spread all over the country, with different styles corresponding to each region (zambas, cuecas, chacareras, chamarritas, chamamés). Argentines enjoy a wide variety of indigenous creations, which includes: empanadas, locro, humitas and yerba mate (considered Argentina's national beverage). Other popular items include chorizo, and Dulce de Leche, a sort of milk caramel jam. Although Argentinean national sport is Pato, the most popular sport is football. The national team won 2 FIFA World Cup, 2 Olympic Gold Medals and 14 Copa Americas. Basket is also a largely spread sport. Whith Olimpic Gold in 2004 and recents World Cups, the International Basketball Federation ranked first the Argentinean team. Official National Rugby Team, Los Pumas, are ranked 6th in the International Federation; Las Leonas (female field hockey) achieved numerous golden medals, and a big number of Argentinean tennis players are ranked in the ATP.
Argentina has abundant natural resources, a well-educated population, an export-oriented agricultural sector and a relatively diversified industrial base. Domestic instability and global trends, however, contributed to Argentina's decline from its noteworthy position as the world's 10th wealthiest nation per capita in 1913 to that of an upper-middle income economy. The unemployment rate reached in 2009 the 8,5%. The poverty rate was of 13,2% and the indigence rate of 3,5% in 2009. It is the third economic power in America Latina (only after Mexico and Brasil). GDP per capita is the highest in Latin America (14,561 USD). The external debt reaches 120,000 million dollars, a 38,7% of the national PBI.
Best places to visit include: Buenos Aires (Federal District), Iguazú Falls, Perito Moreno and Upsalla glaciars, the Quebrada de Humauaca, Valle de la Luna, Bariloche, Mar del Plata, the Atlantic Cost, Península de Valdés, the Rutas del Vino, Aconcagua Mount, Córdoba, Esteros del Iberá and Ruinas de San Ignacio.
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