Argentina. History and origin

Argentina is a huge, sprawling land that occupies most of the southern part of the South American continent. It is the second largest country in South America in area and in population; only Brazil is larger.

Argentina's landscape ranges from lofty mountains and arid deserts to vast plains and dense forests. Argentina is a country of many contrasts—not only in its geography, but also in its people and their way of life.

From the rolling, grass-covered plains of the north to the wild and windswept plateaus of the south, Argentina has a rugged, natural beauty all its own. The craggy, snow-covered Andes Mountains rise up along its western border with Chile, while the South Atlantic Ocean forms its eastern shoreline. Parts of Argentina are parched with drought most of the year. But along the Brazilian border, the thundering waters of mile-wide Iguagu Falls plunge 237 feet (72 meters) in one of the most spectacular sights on the South American continent.

Most Argentines are of Spanish or Italian ancestry. Indians—the original inhabitants of what is now Argentina—make up only a small part of the country's population. Today, Argentina has only about 50,000 Indians of unmixed ancestry. Most of them live in isolated areas, such as the Andes, the Gran Chaco, and Patagonia.

Like the land around them, the Argentines are hardy, rugged people. On the huge ranches of the Pampa, gauchos (cowboys) herd cattle in the proud tradition of their ancestors. In Buenos Aires, the elegant Colon Theater—one of the world's finest opera houses—draws large, enthusiastic audiences. Argentine families enjoy seaside vacations along the white, sandy beaches of the country's Atlantic coast.

Argentina is the second largest country in South America in area and population. The name Argentina comes from argentum, the Latin word for silver. The Spanish conquistadors who arrived in the 1500's believed that Argentina had large deposits of silver and gold

Argentina Today. Argentina has enjoyed greater social and economic development than many other South American countries. Argentina has a large middle class, and about 94 per cent of all Argentines 15 years of age and older can read and write.

Argentina's political development, however, has not fared nearly as well. Throughout its history, the country has suffered through unstable governments, harsh military dictatorships, and political terrorism. Since 1930, military dictatorships have often ruled the country, and parts of the Constitution were suspended in 1976 when the military overthrew President Isabel Peron's government. Isabel Peron was the third wife of Juan Peron, who had served as Argentina's president between 1 946 and 1 955 and again from October 1973 until his death in July 1974. Isabel Peron became president when he died.

Argentina's problems began to increase after Isabel Peron took office. The inflation rate soared. Political extremists engaged in terrorist attacks. In 1976, military leaders arrested Peron, dissolved the Congress, and took control of the government.

Military rule. The reign of terror that followed Peron's removal from office became known as the "dirty war." To the military, it was an attempt to rid the country of leftist opposition and political terrorism. But to the people of Argentina, it was a dark period of violence. In their effort to crush their opponents, the military not only restricted civil rights but also imprisoned, tortured, and killed thousands of people.

In 1982, a war with the United Kingdom over control of the Falkland Islands further damaged the Argentine economy and led to serious political unrest. The following year, Raul Alfonsin was elected president, and the new civilian government took office in December 1983. Alfonsi'n promised an investigation into the actions of previous governments. Three former presidents and several other officials were convicted and sentenced to prison for their involvement in murders and torture.

In 1989, Carlos Saul Menem, leader of the Peronist Party, was elected president. He granted pardons to some of the people convicted in the mid-1980's for their involvement in murders and torture.

Soldiers guarding Argentina's presidential residence in Buenos Aires wear a traditional ceremonial uniform in the style of the 1 800's

Problems continue. Menem was reelected in 1995. During his second term, the government borrowed heavily, and its debts increased. Domestic interest rates rose, many companies closed, and many workers lost their jobs. By the late 1990's, Argentina was in a recession. In addition, its exports and foreign investment declined. The fixed peso-dollar exchange rate meant foreign investors and buyers could get more for the same price in other countries.

Fernando de la Rua was elected president in 1999. In 2000, his government increased taxes and made massive spending cuts. In late 2001 , many people feared that the government would reduce the value of the peso, so they rushed to banks to withdraw money and convert their pesos to dollars. In response, the government limited the amount people could withdraw each month from their accounts. Violent protests broke out. Soon, the president and his cabinet resigned.

An unsettled period followed, during which three other leaders served as president, holding office for only hours or days. In 2002, Argentina's Congress chose Eduardo Duhalde as president. His government suspended payments on Argentina's foreign debt and ended the one-to-one link between the dollar and the peso. The peso's value then fell sharply, and prices began to rise. Poor and middle-class Argentines continued to hold protests.