TOEFL Test Centers in Argentina

EDU February 16, 2019

Argentina Overview

Argentina is a presidential federal republic in southern South America with the capital Buenos Aires. The country has the shape of an elongated triangle. It is characterized by contrasting landscapes that range from the hot subtropical rainforest to the glaciated Tierra del Fuego. In the east lies the Atlantic coast, in the west the imposing Andes with the highest mountain in South America, the Aconcagua (6,962 m). To the east of it stretches the grasslands of the pampas. The climate is subtropical to temperate, but very cool in the south. 90% of the predominantly Catholic population are white, mostly of Spanish or Italian origin, in addition there are 5% mixed descendants of white and indigenous as well as indigenous population groups. The health system and social security are better developed than in many other Latin American countries. The European influence is dominant in language, literature, art and architecture. In 1516, the Spaniards discovered the La Plata estuary. In 1776 Argentina became part of the Spanish viceroyalty Río de la Plata. In 1816 it declared itself independent. The most controversial president was Colonel J. Perón . During his dictatorial rule 1946–55, he carried out many social and economic reforms. After a period of frequent changes of government, Perón was re-elected president in 1973. The military dictatorship, which has been in power since 1976, resulted in serious human rights violations: over 30,000 people were killed, numerous opponents of the regime were tortured or disappeared without a trace. In 1983 a civil government was formed. Since 2000, high national debt and recessions have repeatedly led to inflation, severe financial crises and national bankruptcies. A quarter of Argentines live in poverty. The Argentine economy is export-oriented and depends heavily on the export of agricultural products and raw materials. Argentina is a member of the economic community Mercosur and maintains close trade relations with the EU and the North American free trade area NAFTA and USMCA. The president has a strong position. He is both head of state and head of government.

Country facts

• Official name: Republic of Argentina
• License plate: RA
• ISO-3166: AR, ARG (32)
• Internet domain:.ar
• Currency: 1 Argentine peso (arg $) = 100 centavos
• Area: 2,780,400 km²
• Population (2018): 44.5 million
• Capital: Buenos Aires
• Official language (s): Spanish
• Form of government: Presidential Federal Republic
• Administrative division: 23 provinces and federal district of Buenos Aires
• Head of State: President Alberto Fernández (since December 10, 2019)
• Religion (s): Christians (Catholics; Protestants)
• Time zone: Central European Time –4 hours
• National holiday: May 25th

Location and infrastructure

• Location (geographical): South America
• Location (coordinates): between 21 ° 46 ‘and 55 ° 03’ south latitude and 53 ° 39 ‘and 73 ° 29’ west longitude
• Climate: warm temperate to subtropical climate in the north and in the middle, in the south cool temperate to polar (Tierra del Fuego)
• Highest mountain: Aconcagua (6,962 m)
• Road network (2017): 117 616 km (paved), 163 674 km (unpaved)
• Railway network (2014): 36,917 km

Population

• Annual population growth (2018): 0.9%
• Birth rate (2018): 16.5 per 1,000 residents.
• Death rate (2018): 7.5 per 1,000 residents.
• Average age (2018): 31.9 years
• Average life expectancy (2018): 77.5 years (women 80.8; men 74.4)
• Age structure (2018): 24.4% younger than 15 years, 11.8% older than 65 years
• Literacy rate (15-year-olds and older) (2016): 99.1%
• Mobile phone contracts (pre-paid and post-paid) (2017): 140 per 100 residents
• Internet users (2016): 71 per 100 residents

Economy

• GDP per capita (2017): US $ 14,463
• Total GDP (2017): US $ 638 billion
• GNI per capita (2018): US $ 12,370
• Education expenditure (2015): 5.9% of GDP
• Military expenditure (2016): 1% of GDP
• Unemployment rate (2017): 8.7%

Climate

The climate is temperate in most of the country, rainfall decreases from east to west (annual mean in Buenos Aires 1,173 mm, in Mendoza 197 mm). About two thirds of the national territory is in the rain shadow of the Andes in a broad dry zone. Only in the northeast and the extreme south is the rainfall distributed over the whole year. Heavy rains and temperature drops of up to 20 ° C occur when the » Pampero «, a cold south wind, meets warm, humid air masses in the north. Extreme values ​​of the air temperature are reached in the northern part furthest from the sea and at the same time closer to the equator (mean temperature of the warmest months December and January> 26 ° C) on the one hand and in central and southern Patagonia (July temperatures <2 ° C) on the other hand.