Argentina. Economy. Livestock production. Service industries and manufacturing

Fertile farmland, Argentina's most important natural resource, is the basis of the country's economy. Agriculture and livestock production have traditionally supplied the nation with 70 to 95 per cent of its export earnings.

Cattle and sheep are raised for their meat and hides, and many Argentine factories process farm products. In addition, many of the nation's service industries, such as transportation and banking, depend heavily on agriculture.

Livestock production. Argentina is one of the world's most important producers of cattle and sheep, with about 4 per cent of the world's cattle and about 3 per cent of the world's sheep. After the Spanish explorer Pedro de Mendoza introduced cattle into Argentina in 1536, the animals were allowed to run wild, and they multiplied quickly on the lush grasses of the Pampa.

The development of refrigerator ships in the late 1800's helped turn these vast, wild herds of cattle into a profitable industry. With refrigeration, Argentina's cattle ranchers could ship meat to Europe and other markets without spoilage.

As the meat industry developed, foreign owned meat-packing plants became more interested in the quality of the livestock they purchased, rather than just the weight of the animal. As a result, livestock producers in Argentina introduced higher-quality breeds into their stock and began using selective cross-breeding techniques. Today, agriculture employs 13 per cent of the country's workers, and the industry—including livestock and crop production—accounts for about 6 per cent of Argentina's gross domestic product (GDP).

A gaucho and his herd present a classic image of the wild frontier, hut most gauchos today work as ranch hands. Cattle raising and crop production have been the basis of Argentina's economy since the 1800's

Agriculture. Wheat is Argentina's leading crop. Huge fields of hard red winter wheat stretch across the fertile plain of the Rampa. Badey, corn, and rice are also major crops. In addition, Argentina is one of the world's largest producers of flax, which is mainly exported in the form of linseed oil. Other important crops include cotton, potatoes, sugar cane, sorghum, sunflower seeds, and tea.

Fruit growing has developed rapidly in Argentina since the 1940's, particularly in the province of Mendoza, the center for the nation's vineyards. Apples, bananas, grapefruits, lemons, limes, oranges, and peaches are important crops.

Argentina's farms vary greatly in size. The owners of the huge, sprawling estates that cover much of the Pampa rent land to tenant farmers, and hire workers to tend livestock and help with planting and harvesting. In the north, many people own small farms, raising only enough to feed themselves. These farmers use horse-drawn equipment or rent machinery to help them work the land, while the large estates own modern equipment.

Service industries and manufacturing. Service industries employ over 50 per cent of the country's workers. Manufacturing accounts for 22 per cent of Argentina's GDP and employs 1 4 per cent of all workers. Argentine factories include meat-packing plants and other food-processing facilities; leather-making factories; and plants that manufacture electrical equipment, printed materials, and textiles.

About two-thirds of the nation's factories are located in Buenos Aires and its suburbs. Factories in Cordoba manufacture automobiles, railroad cars, and tractors. The city is also a leading manufacturer of textiles and of glass and leather products. Rosario, a major inland seaport, has oil refineries as well as metal and chemical-producing plants.