by Denise Calaman

Created on: September 17, 2009   Last Updated: October 11, 2009

The South American country of Argentina (meaning "land of silver" in Latin) might surprise quite a few people. While many South American countries struggle to be world economic leaders Argentina is already there. Argentina is one of the G-20 major economies of the world and has the 30th largest GDP. Argentina's largest contribution to the world market is agriculture. One of the largest wheat producers in the world, Argentina is also a major producer of wine. More than 1,800 wineries are located in Argentina. The country also exports honey, soybeans and sunflowers. Argentina is the third largest producer of beef in the world. Ranchers farm the central plain region in traditional cowboy style.

Not all of Argentina is suitable for farming. The country varies greatly in climate and geography. Both the hottest and coldest records ever recorded in South America were recorded in Argentina. Over 2,400 miles long Argentina is one of the longest countries in the world. It shares a border with Chile, the longest country in the world. The Andes Mountains separates these two neighbors and as a result western Argentina is mountainous and not suitable for farming. Northern Argentina has a subtropical climate while Southern Argentina has a sub-polar climate as a result of being in close proximity to Antarctica. Summers in most of Argentina are hot and humid and winters are chilly and damp. Southern Argentina has cool summers and very cold winters.

Argentina is a land of many natural wonders. Eastern Argentina has a long coastline that is a Mecca for tourists. Argentina has many natural waterfalls. The largest is Iguazu Falls, is over 80m high, making it higher than Niagara Falls. Mt. Aconcagua is the tallest mountain in South America measuring 6,960m high. In Southern Argentina Moreno Glacier is doing the opposite of what most other glaciers in the world are doing. It is growing in size!

Argentina is the second largest country in South America and the eighth largest country in the world. Argentina's territory includes the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, the Sandwich Islands and part of Antarctica. The mainland of Argentina consists of 23 provinces and an autonomous city (self-governing), its capital city, Buenos Aires. It was over 13,000 years ago that scientists believe that the first humans inhabited Argentina. They are believed to have been hunters and gatherers. Before humans arrived the land was inhabited by dinosaurs. The oldest and largest dinosaur fossils were

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