Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic, is a South American nation located in the southern half of the continent. The country encompasses a vast area of 2,780,400 km2, making it the second-largest in South America and the eighth-largest globally. Argentina shares its western border mainly with Chile, while also bordering Bolivia and Paraguay to the north, Brazil to the northeast, Uruguay and the South Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Drake Passage to the south. It operates as a federal republic comprising twenty-three provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires, which serves as both the federal capital and the nation's largest city. Each province and the capital city possess their own constitutions while operating within a federal framework. Argentina also asserts sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, and a portion of Antarctica.
Since 1904, Argentina has maintained the world's oldest continuous state presence in Antarctica.
The center-oriented newspaper La Voz del Interior was established in Argentina in 1904.
By 1908, Argentina, fueled by liberal economic policies and European immigration, became the seventh wealthiest nation globally.
From 1870 to 1910, Argentina's wheat and frozen beef exports increased significantly, establishing the country as a top exporter.
From 1912 to 1930, Argentina experienced a period of full democracy before military coups became frequent.
President Roque Sáenz Peña enacted universal and secret male suffrage in 1912.
By 1913, Argentina had emerged as one of the world's wealthiest nations, measured by GDP per capita, driven by abundant natural resources, a highly literate population, and a diverse industrial base.
Hipólito Yrigoyen, leader of the Radical Civic Union, won the 1916 presidential election after the enactment of universal male suffrage.
In 1916, Argentina saw the last democratically elected non-peronist president before Mauricio Macri managed to complete his term in office.
The world's first animated feature films were produced and released in Argentina in 1917 by cartoonist Quirino Cristiani.
Following the success of the first animated feature film in 1917, Quirino Cristiani released another animated film in 1918.
Argentina pioneered the world's first regular radio broadcasting on August 27, 1920, with a broadcast of Richard Wagner's Parsifal from Buenos Aires' Teatro Coliseo.
Between 1862 and 1920, Argentina's per capita income grew to match that of developed countries.
The golden age of tango in Argentina, characterized by large orchestras, flourished from 1930 to the mid-1950s.
In 1930, a military coup led by José Félix Uriburu removed Hipólito Yrigoyen from power, marking a turning point in Argentina's economic and social trajectory.
In 1930, one of the six governments in Argentina was overthrown by the armed forces during a period of significant political turmoil.
A military coup led by General Arturo Rawson overthrew the democratically elected government of Ramón Castillo in 1943.
Juan Perón, after rising through the ranks, was appointed Minister of Defence in 1944.
In March 1945, under pressure from the United States, Argentina declared war on the Axis Powers, shortly before the end of World War II in Europe.
Perón was forced to resign from his position in 1945 and was subsequently arrested, but later released due to public pressure.
After a landslide victory, Juan Perón became president of Argentina in 1946.
From 1946 to 1955, Argentina experienced another period of democracy, which was interrupted by military coups.
Gyula Košice and others founded The Madí Movement in Argentina in 1946, which later gained prominence in Europe and the United States.
The Labour Party, later renamed the Justicialist Party, rose to power in 1946 with Juan Perón's presidency.
Bernardo Houssay, an Argentine physician and physiologist, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1947. His groundbreaking research on the role of pituitary hormones in regulating glucose metabolism in animals earned him this prestigious recognition.
Women's suffrage was enacted in Argentina in 1947 during Juan Perón's presidency.
In 1948, Argentina's infant mortality rate was 70 per 1000 live births.
Argentina's economy began to decline in 1950, partly due to government spending and protectionist policies.
In 1950, Argentina hosted the Basketball World Cup for the first time.
In 1951, La Pampa and Chaco became provinces in Argentina.
Juan Perón was re-elected as president of Argentina in 1951.
Eva Perón, wife of Juan Perón and a significant figure in the Peronist Party, died of cancer in 1952.
In 1953, Misiones became a province in Argentina.
In 1953, cardiovascular diseases accounted for 20% of deaths in Argentina, while deaths from tumors made up 14%, respiratory problems 7%, and infant deaths 19%.
In 1955, the period of democracy that began in 1946 was interrupted by another military coup.
The Navy bombed Plaza de Mayo in 1955, an event that ultimately led to Perón's overthrow in the Liberating Revolution coup later that year.
In 1955, Formosa, Neuquén, Río Negro, Chubut, and Santa Cruz became provinces in Argentina.
In 1955, Juan Perón faced increasing opposition, including strikes organized by Cipriano Reyes, a meat-packers union leader, leading to Reyes' arrest and torture.
After 1955, Astor Piazzolla popularized Nuevo tango, a more refined and intellectual style of the genre.
In 1957, Argentina achieved a significant milestone in its nuclear program by designing and building the RA-1 Enrico Fermi, the first research reactor in Latin America using homegrown technology. This accomplishment demonstrated the country's commitment to developing its nuclear capabilities independently.
Arturo Frondizi of the UCR won the 1958 general election, lifting the ban on Peronism and encouraging investment.
From the period 1960-2010, the highest increases in precipitation have occurred in the eastern parts of Argentina.
In 1961, Argentina became a founding signatory and permanent consulting member of the Antarctic Treaty.
Arturo Illia's presidency began in 1963, marked by a period of economic growth.
In 1966, a military coup led by General Juan Carlos Onganía overthrew Arturo Illia, establishing another military government.
The year 1969 was marked by widespread public discontent in Argentina, culminating in two large-scale protests, the Cordobazo and the Rosariazo.
The year 1969 saw a marked increase in political violence in Argentina, potentially marking the start of a prolonged period of conflict, with trade unionists becoming targets of assassination by Peronist and Marxist paramilitaries.
Domingo Liotta, an Argentine surgeon, played a pivotal role in designing and developing the first artificial heart successfully implanted in a human in 1969. This groundbreaking achievement marked a significant milestone in the field of cardiac surgery.
In 1970, Luis Leloir, an Argentine biochemist, received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. His research focused on sugar nucleotides and their role in the biosynthesis of carbohydrates, making significant contributions to the understanding of carbohydrate metabolism.
Alejandro Agustín Lanusse was appointed president of Argentina by the military junta in 1971.
In March 1973, Héctor José Cámpora won the election as the Peronist candidate, pardoned convicted guerrilla members, and facilitated Perón's return to Argentina from Spain.
Héctor Cámpora, a left-wing Peronist, won the presidential election in May 1973 after Lanusse called for elections, paving the way for Perón's return from exile.
In July 1973, amidst political turmoil, Cámpora and Vice President Vicente Solano Lima resigned, paving the way for new elections with Perón as the Justicialist Party nominee.
Perón won the September 1973 election with his third wife, Isabel, as vice president, marking the beginning of his third term, a period characterized by escalating violence between political factions.
From 1973 to 1976, Argentina had another brief period of democracy before the last military coup.
In 1973, Argentina's railway system reached a peak in freight transportation, highlighting its significance in the country's economy and connectivity.
On July 1, 1974, Juan Perón, after a period of declining health, died from a heart attack at the age of 78, leaving his wife, Isabel Perón, to succeed him as President.
Following Perón's death in July 1974, Isabel Perón assumed the presidency. She signed a decree empowering the military and police to suppress left-wing insurgency, particularly the ERP's attempts in Tucumán province.
In 1974, Argentina became the first country in Latin America to commission a commercial nuclear power plant, Atucha I. This achievement marked a significant milestone in the region's foray into nuclear energy.
Following the death of President Juan Perón in 1974, his widow and vice president, Isabel Perón, became president of Argentina.
Between 1930 and 1976, Argentina experienced multiple military coups, with 1976 marking the last overthrow before the transition to full-scale democracy.
In 1976, Isabel Perón was overthrown by a military junta that persecuted and murdered thousands of political opponents during the Dirty War.
In 1976, a military junta, led by Jorge Rafael Videla, seized power in Argentina, initiating the National Reorganization Process, a period marked by the suppression of political opposition and the use of forced disappearances.
By 1977, the Argentine military junta had effectively subdued the ERP, eliminating a significant threat to their authority.
In 1979, despite being severely weakened, the Montoneros launched a counterattack against the ruling Argentine military junta. However, this offensive was swiftly quelled, effectively ending the guerrilla threat and solidifying the junta's grip on power.
Argentina's national tennis team won the World Team Cup for the first time in 1980.
The Argentine Davis Cup team was defeated by the United States in the final of 1981.
In March 1982, seeking to assert its claim over the disputed territories, Argentina launched a military operation, seizing control of the British-held South Georgia, a prelude to the larger invasion of the Falkland Islands on April 2nd.
Raúl Alfonsín won the 1983 election, campaigning for accountability for human rights abuses during the Proceso. His term saw the prosecution of military leaders but also, under pressure, the enactment of laws that limited further investigations.
The Dirty War, a period of state terrorism and civil unrest in Argentina, ended in 1983 with the election of Raúl Alfonsín as president.
In 1983, Argentina began its transition to full-scale democracy, which has endured to the present day.
In 1983, Argentina publicly acknowledged its capability to produce weapon-grade uranium, marking a pivotal moment in its nuclear program. However, the country remained committed to using nuclear power exclusively for peaceful purposes, advocating for non-proliferation and global nuclear security.
Completed in 1983, the Embalse nuclear power station in Argentina utilized a higher percentage of domestically built components (30%) compared to its predecessor, showcasing the country's growing expertise in nuclear technology.
César Milstein, an Argentine-British biochemist, shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1984 with Niels K. Jerne and Georges J.F. Köhler. His groundbreaking work on monoclonal antibodies revolutionized various fields, including immunology and medicine.
Argentina won its first Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1985 for "The Official Story".
The leftist newspaper Página/12 was founded in Argentina in 1987.
Amidst a worsening economic crisis and hyperinflation, Carlos Menem, a Peronist, won the 1989 election. These economic woes and social unrest led to Alfonsín resigning from the presidency prematurely.
Argentina once again played host to the Basketball World Cup in 1990.
In 1990, Argentina successfully launched its first domestically built satellite, LUSAT-1, marking a significant step in its space program. This achievement demonstrated the country's growing technological capabilities and commitment to space exploration.
In 1990, the last national territory, Tierra del Fuego, became the Tierra del Fuego, Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur Province.
The year 1991 marked a significant milestone in Argentina's space exploration endeavors with the establishment of CONAE, the Argentine space agency. This agency played a pivotal role in advancing the country's space program and fostering international collaborations.
In 1991, Argentina became the sole South American nation to deploy warships and cargo planes to the Gulf War, operating under a UN mandate.
By 1991, Argentina's railway system, which had been in decline since the 1940s, was transporting significantly less freight than in previous decades. It faced budgetary deficits and reduced efficiency.
Since 1994, Argentina has maintained a continuous presence in the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), with the Argentine Air Force supplying the UN Air contingent alongside Army and Marines troops.
The Argentine constitution was amended in 1994, allowing Carlos Menem to run for a second term as president.
By 1995, the Argentine economy, which had seen initial improvements under Menem's neoliberal policies, began to deteriorate, leading to increased unemployment and a recession.
Argentina continued to advance its space program with the launch of the Víctor-1 satellite in 1996, further solidifying its position in space exploration and technological development.
In 1998, Argentina was designated as a Major non-NATO ally.
From 1999 onwards, Argentina experienced a surge in the availability of cable and satellite television, making it a leader in Latin America.
In the 1999 elections, Fernando de la Rúa, leading the UCR party, secured victory, returning them to power after Menem's two terms.
In December 2001, widespread riots erupted in Argentina, fueled by a worsening economic crisis and austerity measures. These riots forced President De la Rúa to resign.
Argentina's democracy endured through the 2001-02 crisis, showcasing its robustness compared to previous periods.
In 2001, Argentina's population census revealed a total of 36,260,130 inhabitants, providing a baseline for measuring population growth and demographic changes in subsequent years.
Since 2002, Argentina has emphasized its key role in Latin American integration, prioritizing the Mercosur block.
The year 2002 was marked by a severe economic crisis in Argentina, prompting interim president Duhalde to abandon the fixed exchange rate. This led to significant financial losses for many Argentines. Political unrest was further exacerbated by the killing of two protesters by the police.
Argentina's national tennis team won the World Team Cup for the second time in 2002.
Since 2002, Argentina had witnessed improvements in income distribution, although it remained notably unequal.
By 2002, Argentina had a significant number of radio stations, with 260 AM and 1150 FM stations registered in the country.
On May 26, 2003, Néstor Kirchner was sworn in as the President of Argentina, marking the beginning of his term in office.
Argentina experienced its previous peak in poverty rate in 2004.
By 2004, Argentina's road infrastructure had significantly expanded, with 69,412 km of paved roads connecting Buenos Aires, provincial capitals (excluding Ushuaia), and medium-sized towns, forming part of a total road network spanning 231,374 km.
By 2005, there were notable changes in mortality patterns in Argentina. Deaths from cardiovascular diseases increased to 23%, tumors to 20%, and respiratory problems to 14%, while infant deaths decreased to 3%.
In 2006, Argentina held the fourth position in healthcare in Latin America.
In 2007, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, wife of outgoing President Néstor Kirchner, was elected President of Argentina.
The Argentine rugby team 'Los Pumas' achieved their best-ever finish in the Rugby World Cup in 2007, coming in third place.
In 2007, Argentina launched the PEHUENSAT-1 satellite, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to space research and technological advancement in satellite development.
In 2007, Argentina provided humanitarian aid to Bolivia in response to devastating floods. Assistance included helicopters, boats, and water purification systems.
Argentina achieved victory in the World Team Cup for the third time in 2007.
According to a 2008 CONICET poll, 76.5% of Argentines identified as Catholic, 11.3% as Agnostic or Atheist, 9% as Evangelical Protestants, 1.2% as Jehovah's Witnesses, and 0.9% as Mormons.
In 2008, Argentina had 36,966 km of operating railway lines, making it the largest railway system in Latin America. The system linked all 23 provinces and Buenos Aires City, connecting with neighboring countries.
In June 2009, Argentina's space agency, CONAE, signed a significant agreement with the European Space Agency (ESA). This agreement facilitated the installation of a 35-meter diameter antenna and other mission support facilities for the Pierre Auger Observatory in Argentina. This collaboration enhanced global cosmic ray research and strengthened Argentina's role in space exploration.
By 2009, Argentina's infant mortality rate significantly decreased to 12.1 per 1000 live births, and life expectancy rose to 76 years.
As of 2009, Argentine boxer Víctor Galíndez held the record for the most consecutive successful title defenses in the light heavyweight division.
Argentina's second national rugby team, the 'Jaguares,' began competing in the Americas Rugby Championship in 2009.
Argentina received its second Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2009 for "The Secret in Their Eyes".
A 2010 genetic study conducted on 218 individuals by Argentine geneticist Daniel Corach provided insights into the genetic ancestry of Argentines. The study revealed an average genetic makeup of 79% European (primarily Italian and Spanish), 18% Indigenous, and 4.3% African. Notably, over 60% of those tested had at least one Indigenous ancestor, highlighting the diverse heritage of the Argentine population.
Argentina secured their fourth win at the World Team Cup in 2010.
By 2010, climate change had caused more variability in precipitation from year to year in the northern parts of Argentina, increasing the risk of prolonged droughts.
Following earthquakes in Haiti and Chile in 2010, Argentina's Armed Forces actively participated in humanitarian relief efforts.
In 2010, 7.1% of the population over 20 years old in Argentina had graduated from university.
In 2010, Argentina boasted a literacy rate of 98.07%. 38.5% of individuals over 20 years old had completed secondary school, and 7.1% had graduated from university.
In 2010, Argentina made history by becoming the first country in Latin America, the second in the Americas, and the tenth worldwide to legalize same-sex marriage. This landmark legislation marked a significant step towards LGBTQ+ rights and social equality in the region.
The 2010 census recorded Argentina's population at 40,117,096, indicating a significant increase from the 36,260,130 inhabitants counted in the 2001 census. This data highlighted a consistent population growth trend in the country.
Argentina's manufacturing sector experienced a significant 6.5% growth rate in 2011, bolstered by a robust network of industrial parks.
Argentine French actress Bérénice Bejo earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in 2011 and won the César Award for Best Actress and the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival for her performance in the film "The Past".
Cristina Fernández de Kirchner secured a second term as President of Argentina in the 2011 elections.
In 2011, Argentina had the highest coverage of networked telecommunications among major Latin American countries, with approximately 67% of the population having internet access and a mobile phone subscription to population ratio of 137.2%.
In 2011, Argentina inaugurated the Atucha II reactor, further solidifying its commitment to nuclear energy. This reactor, with 40% Argentine-built components, exemplified the country's progress in developing nuclear technology.
In 2011, Argentina's defense budget plummeted to a historic low of 0.74% of GDP, signifying a continuous decline in military expenditure since the Falklands/Malvinas War and falling below the Latin American average.
Revenues generated from international tourists visiting Argentina totaled US$4.89 billion in 2012.
The 'Los Pumas' began competing in The Rugby Championship in 2012, marking their entry into the top tier of international rugby competition in the Southern Hemisphere.
In 2012, Argentina's manufacturing sector played a pivotal role, contributing 20.3% to the nation's GDP, establishing itself as the largest sector in the economy.
In 2012, Argentina was elected again to a two-year non-permanent position on the United Nations Security Council.
In 2012, Argentina had about 11,000 km of waterways, primarily consisting of the La Plata, Paraná, Paraguay, and Uruguay rivers. Major fluvial ports included Buenos Aires, Zárate, Campana, Rosario, San Lorenzo, Santa Fe, Barranqueras, and San Nicolas de los Arroyos.
In March 2013, Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, was elected Pope, taking the name Francis. He became the first Pope from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere.
Argentina welcomed 5.57 million visitors in 2013, solidifying its position as the leading tourist destination in South America and the second most popular in Latin America, following Mexico. However, revenues from international tourism slightly declined to US$4.41 billion compared to the previous year.
As of 2013, Argentina had 47 national public universities and 46 private universities.
By 2013, Argentina's industrial landscape had expanded significantly, with a network of 314 industrial parks supporting the growth of its diversified manufacturing sector.
By 2013, the Up-River port region in Santa Fe province became a dominant force in Argentina's exports, accounting for 50% of the total. This region, stretching along 67 km of the Paraná River, comprised 17 ports.
In 2013, Argentina had 161 airports with paved runways. Ezeiza International Airport, located near Buenos Aires, was the largest in the country. Other significant airports included Cataratas del Iguazú in Misiones, El Plumerillo in Mendoza, and Aeroparque in Buenos Aires, which served as the most important domestic airport.
The Argentine film industry flourished, producing approximately 100 full-length motion pictures annually by 2013.
In 2014, Argentina held a lower ranking in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index.
As of 2014, the Argentine Congress consists of a bicameral system with the Chamber of Deputies having 257 voting members and the Chamber of Senators having 72 members.
By 2014, 87.4% of Argentine households had access to cable and satellite television, comparable to rates in the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Argentine screenwriters Armando Bó and Nicolás Giacobone were awarded the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 2014.
In April 2015, the Argentine Senate passed a law that effectively re-nationalized the country's railways. This move, which created Ferrocarriles Argentinos (2015), received support from major political parties across the political spectrum.
On 22 November 2015, after a tie in the first round of presidential elections on 25 October, center-right coalition candidate Mauricio Macri won the first ballotage in Argentina's history, beating Front for Victory candidate Daniel Scioli and becoming president-elect.
Mauricio Macri took office on 10 December 2015 as the first democratically elected non-peronist president since 1916 to complete his term in office without being overthrown.
By 2015, Argentina's GDP had grown under Fernández de Kirchner, and real incomes had significantly improved since the post-Menem era. However, the overall economic performance had been sluggish since 2011. This period also saw strained relations with the U.S. and the U.K., while ties with countries like Venezuela, Iran, and Cuba were strengthened.
In April 2016, the Macri Government introduced neoliberal austerity measures intended to tackle inflation and public deficits.
Argentina's national team emerged victorious in the Davis Cup in 2016.
Following the election of Mauricio Macri, Argentina successfully resolved its long-standing debt default crisis with "vulture funds" in 2016, granting the country renewed access to capital markets.
In 2017, the Argentine submarine ARA San Juan tragically disappeared, with funding cuts within the defense budget for training and maintenance being identified as contributing factors to the accident.
In 2017, Argentina grappled with a high annual inflation rate of 24.8%, a persistent challenge for the nation's economy over several decades.
Data from 2017 indicated a significant shift in religious demographics in Argentina. The Catholic population decreased to 66%, while the non-religious population nearly doubled, reaching 21%.
By 2017, the Argentine national rugby team, known as 'Los Pumas,' had participated in every edition of the Rugby World Cup.
Argentina significantly improved its standing in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index in 2017, rising 22 positions from its 2014 ranking, reflecting progress in tackling corruption.
In 2018, Argentina had a Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 7.21/10, ranking it 47th globally out of 172 countries.
President Alberto Fernández and Vice President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner took office in December 2019, just months before the COVID-19 pandemic hit Argentina.
In 2019, Argentina ranked as the world's fourth-largest lithium producer, ninth in silver, and seventeenth in gold. It also held the title of South America's largest natural gas producer and eighteenth globally.
In 2019, Mauricio Macri ran for re-election but lost by nearly eight percentage points to Alberto Fernández, the Justicialist Party candidate.
Argentina faced another setback in May 2020 when it defaulted on a $500 million debt payment, leading to ongoing negotiations for the restructuring of $66 billion in debt.
In 2020, more than 60% of Argentina's electricity came from non-renewable sources, including natural gas, oil, and coal. Hydropower contributed 27%, while wind and solar energy accounted for 7.3%. Nuclear energy made up 4.4% of the electricity generation.
On 14 November 2021, the center-left coalition of Argentina's ruling Peronist party, Frente de Todos, lost its majority in Congress for the first time in almost 40 years in midterm legislative elections.
In 2021, Argentina had established approximately 2,800 km of duplicated highways, primarily originating from Buenos Aires and linking major cities. Despite this progress, the road infrastructure remained inadequate to accommodate the surging demand resulting from the deterioration of the railway system.
By the end of 2021, Argentina achieved notable rankings in renewable energy: 21st globally for installed hydroelectric power (11.3 GW), 26th for installed wind energy (3.2 GW), and 43rd for installed solar energy (1.0 GW). These rankings highlight the country's growing focus on sustainable energy sources.
In January 2022, Argentina became a candidate country for the OECD.
In April 2023, President Alberto Fernández announced that he will not seek re-election in the next presidential election.
By July 2023, over 18,500 Russians had immigrated to Argentina following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The 19 November 2023 election run-off vote ended in a win for libertarian outsider Javier Milei with close to 56% of the vote against 44% of the ruling coalition candidate Sergio Massa.
On 10 December 2023, Javier Milei was sworn in as the new president of Argentina.
According to the V-Dem Democracy indices, in 2023, Argentina was the second most electoral democratic country in Latin America.
By 2023, Argentina's inflation rate soared to a staggering 102.5%, placing it among the highest globally. Concurrently, the poverty rate reached an alarming 43%.
In 2023, Argentina was ranked 73rd in the Global Innovation Index, reflecting its commitment to innovation and technological advancement across various sectors, including space research and nuclear technology.
In January 2024, Argentina's poverty rate climbed to 57.4%, marking the highest level since 2004, underscoring the severe economic challenges facing the country.