2 nd largest country in South America 8 th biggest in the world

4 land regions 1. Northern Argentina consists of two lowland plains areas called the Gran Chaco and Mesopotamia. 2. The Pampas is a fertile plain that fans out around Buenos Aires. Corn, soybeans, wheat and cattle graze on its pastures. 3. The Andean Region- home to the highest mountain peaks in the western hemisphere 22,000 feet. 4. Patagonia-dry windswept plateau in the south of the country. Home to glaciers and the Tierra del Fuego.

Foothills of the Andes mountains in Argentina

Patagonia in Southern Argentina The farther south you go, the colder it gets!

The Pampas of central Argentina Farms not unlike MN or Iowa

People of Argentina Most Argentines are of Italian or Spanish ancestry. There is only a small portion of the population who are indigenous. There is a large gap between the rich and poor of Argentina. Upper and middle class people tend to live in urban areas like Buenos Aires. Argentina is known for the excellent quality of it’s beef. They are also know for their ice cream, pasta and pizza.

Climate Most of Argentina is mild. The north is the warmest and the south is the coolest. Summer lasts from DEC to MAR with temperatures around 80 F in the North and 60 F in the south Winter lasts from JUN to SEPT with temperatures from 60 F in the north to 40 F in the south. Rainfall is plentiful in the northeast but decreases towards the west and south. Ocean winds can make the summers uncomfortably humid in the pampas. In the winter, winds from Antarctica bring cold weather and light snow to Patagonia

Economy Service industries and manufacturing account for 90% of the GDP-gross domestic product Agriculture produces beef, corn, soybeans, wheat and apples. Argentina was one of the richest nations in the world in the 1920’s through its exporting of meat and grain to Europe. This ended in 1930 with a military coup which brought 50 years of military dictatorships. Fought a war with the UK in 1982 over the Falkland Is. After an economic crisis in 2001, Argentina is doing better as of late.