Regional Geography of Argentina

Outline

1.    Physical Characteristics

o   Relative location

o   Landscape and Physical Environment

o   Weather and climate

2.    Human Characteristics

o   Population, Density and Age/Sex characteristics

o   Language and religion

o   Cultural/ethnic groups

3.    Economic Characteristics

o   Major economic activities

o   Imports and Exports

o   GNP and GNP per capita

4.    References

Physical Characteristics

Relative location:

Argentina is the second largest country in South America, along the southern tip. Argentina borders five different countries. Chile in the south and west, Bolivia and Paraguay in the north, and Uruguay and Brazil to the east. Argentina is made up of 23 provinces, along with Buenos Aires as an autonomous city. Argentina borders the Atlantic Ocean to the east, with the Drake Passage to the south.

Landscape and Physical Environment:

According to the Britannica, Argentina’s landscape can be broken down into five major regions, the Northwest, the Gran Chaco, Mesopotamia, the Pampas, and Patagonia. The Northwestern region includes the northern half of the Andes all the way to the Colorado River. This region is characterized by mountain ranges, plateaus, and river basins. The Gran Chaco region referred to flat steps that range across Argentina. This region has high amounts of summer flooding, and poor drainage, leading to small amounts of thorny vegetation. The Mesopotamia region is located between the Parana and the Uruguay rivers, and is characterized by long stretches of lowland. The Pampas is a grassland region bordering the Mesopotamia and Gran Chaco regions. Large deposits of loess soil are found here. The final region of Argentina, the Patagonia, is perhaps the most recognizable by name. The Patagonia region includes mountains, glaciers, large lakes, mesas, and other glacially carved landmarks.

Weather and climate:

Argentina’s large size and varying physical geography also means the it has a diverse climate. The country’s climate can be divided into three different zones, the Andean zones, the rain shadow zones, and the Pampean zone. The Andean zones are climate patterns typical for the regions in the Andes Mountains. These zones are characterized by tundra and even polar climates caused by the high elevation. The rain shadow zones are found along the eastern coast. These areas are characterized a desert center surrounded by semiarid and steppe conditions. The final climate, the Pampean zone, is the most populated climate zone. This zone can be found in Buenos Aires and is characterized by hot and humid summers and mild winters.

Human Characteristics

Population, Density and Age/Sex characteristics:

According to the World Atlas, it was estimated that in 2013 the population of Argentina was around 42,600,000 people. The projected population in 2020 is around 45,000,000. Despite its large geographic size, most of Argentina’s population is urban based, with Buenos Aires as the largest city. The Britannica Encyclopedia lists Argentina’s urban population at 92% and the rural at only 8%. Land density is about 16 people per square kilometer. The population pyramid on the World Fact Book page for Argentina showed a majority of the population in the 25-54 age range. The ratio of men to women is about 1 to 1 regardless of age.

Language and religion:

Argentina’s official language is Spanish, with Italian, English, German and French are also widely used. Indigenous languages, although not commonly used, include Mapudungun and Quechua. A vast majority of the population is Roman Catholic (about 92%). The other religions that can be found include Protestant (about 2%), Jewish (about 2%), and other not specific religions (about 4%). A majority of the Roman Catholics in Argentina are non-practicing.  

Cultural/ethnic groups:

The vast majority of people living in Argentina have ancestry from Europe. Argentina’s ethnicity breakdown is mostly white, with Spanish and Italian ancestry. The other groups represented are Mestizo, Amerindian or other groups. Mestizo are people who are of both European descent and indigenous decent. Large amounts of European migration in the 1800s led to native people and mestizos being pushed aside, absorbed, or erased. Today Argentina has only a small amount of natives, mostly in the Andes bordering Chile.

Economic Characteristics

Major economic activities:

Argentina’s economy relies highly on the service sector. Agriculture makes up about 11% of the economy. Sunflower seeds, lemons, soybeans, grapes, and corn are the largest crops. Livestock is also a large portion of the agriculture sector. Industry makes up about 28% of the economy, and services make up the rest of the economy at 61%. Industry is largely food processing and vehicle production.

Imports and Exports:

Argentina largely exports soybeans, petroleum and gas, vehicles, corn, and wheat. Imports mainly consist of machinery, motor vehicles, petroleum and natural gas, organic chemicals, and plastics. Brazil is a major trade partner when it comes to imports and exports. Argentina ranks 48th in country exports.

GNP and GNP per capita:

The World Atlas puts Argentina’s GNP at about $879.00 billion. The GNP per capita is $20,200. In the past Argentina has suffered from economic problems, stemming from different sources. Currently Argentina’s economy is doing well.

References

Eidt, Robert C., et al. “Argentina.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 20 Apr. 2020, www.britannica.com/place/Argentina.

Moen, John. “World Map.” On Largest Cities, Populations, Symbols - Worldatlas.com, 29 Sept. 2015, www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/samerica/argentina/arfacts.htm#page.

“The World Factbook: Argentina.” Central Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/print_ar.html.

 

Submitted by Sabrina Short on 04/17/2020.