by Sharmal Kelambi

Created on: September 13, 2009   Last Updated: September 15, 2009

The 'land of silver' or Argentina is the second largest country in the South American continent. It is home to some 40 million people, who are of most decedents from Europe. Argentina is the eighth largest country of the world. The beauty of the land and the friendly nature of its people make it one of the most popular tourist destinations of the world.

HISTORY

Argentina has a history that runs well beyond 12,000 years. The people once inhabited this land were mostly of nomadic Indian tribes. Some of the northern parts were invaded by the Inca Empire still the rest of the country remained in the hands of less organised Indian tribesmen. It was in early 16th century that the European explorers first came to Argentina. Buenos Aires was the first colony to be founded, which later became the country's capital. Today some 13 million (one third of the entire population) live in Buenos Aires and its metropolitan areas.

It was in year 1816 that Argentina became independent from Spain. Most immigrants up to the independence were Spanish but the independent Argentina received lots of immigrants from Great Briton, Germany, France, Italy and other European countries. Ernesto Che Guevara, a medical doctor of Argentina, is one of the most famous people of its modern history. He was well known for his battles in Cuba and is an icon among left wing youth worldwide.

GEOGRAPHY

Argentina is a land of wide geological variations. One third of the land lies in the Andes mountain region which separates the country from Chile to the west. To south and east lies the Atlantic Ocean and to north lies Brazil and Uruguay. The large grass land of Pampas is in the centre of the country which is home to the legendary cowboys of the South America, the Gauchos. The highest and lowest temperatures both of South America are recorded in Argentina.

The Iguazu Falls of Argentina is one of the largest waterfalls of the world. It is also of great beauty and a miracle of nature. Mount Aconcagua is Argentina's highest point. It is part of the Andes mountain range being the highest point of the entire mountain range. Mount Aconcagua is the tallest peak outside Asia, where Andes being the largest mountain range also outside Asia. The Salinas Chicas with some 40m in depth is Argentina's as well as south America's lowest point.

MILITARY

Argentina stood neutral in both great wars still is famous militarily for its war over Falkland Islands against Great Briton in 1982. The war lasted less than three months

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