| Next to Brazil in size and population, Argentina | | | | country that has a great degree of diversity in its |
| stretches from the Atlantic to the Chilean border and | | | | region. The diversity ranges from wild, distant areas in |
| the lofty Andes peaks. Aconcagua (22,834 ft, 6,960 | | | | southern Patagonia to the lively metropolis of Buenos |
| m) is the highest mountaintop in the world aside from | | | | Aires in the north. |
| the major peaks in Asia. | | | | Argentina's population is 39,537,943 (growth rate: 1.0%); |
| Argentina is surrounded by Bolivia and Paraguay on | | | | birth rate: 16.9/1000; infant mortality rate: 15.2/1000; life |
| the north, and Uruguay and Brazil on the east. The | | | | expectancy: 75.9; density per sq mi: 37. Argentina is |
| northern area is comprised of the marshy and | | | | prosperous in natural wealth. The workforce of the |
| somewhat wooded Gran Chaco, adjoining Bolivia and | | | | country is knowledgeable, and its economy is one of |
| Paraguay, and to the south are the undulating, rich | | | | the largest in South America. |
| Pampas. The area is agriculturally rich and sheep and | | | | Argentina faces a severe economical crisis, as a deep |
| cattle are the mainstay of the Brazilian population. | | | | recession resulted in an economic collapse in 2001. |
| Southward is Patagonia, an area marked by cool, dry | | | | Nearly half of the population lives in poverty as a |
| plain interspersed with wooded and rich agricultural | | | | consequence of the economic disaster. During the |
| zones. | | | | economic turbulence, the country grappled with |
| Argentina is the world's eighth largest country and | | | | massive debt defaults and currency devaluation. |
| spreads over an area of 2.8 million square kilometers. | | | | Argentina is a soccer crazy nation and their love for |
| Argentina is notable for some of the world's tallest | | | | football is intense. The game is almost like a religion to |
| mountains and vast stretches of deserts. The country | | | | them. |
| is also famous for extraordinary waterfalls. It is a | | | | |