Axion 3D Atlas/ATLAS.iso/stats/10.txt

Text File | 1998-01-23 | 15KB | 357 lines

{bitmap= 26,50,"flags\argen.bmp"}
{bigtext=150,120,"Argentina"}



{1}Geography{4}
{4}To see a map of Argentina, click {z,"-98.664300,-60.451022,-29.354785,-8.281593",here}{4}!

{2}Location:{4} Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Chile and
Uruguay

{2}Area:{4}
{3}total area:{4} 2,766,890 sq km
{3}land area:{4} 2,736,690 sq km
{3}comparative area:{4} slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US

{2}Land boundaries:{4}
{3}total:{4} 9,665 km
{3}border countries:{4} Bolivia 832 km, Brazil 1,224 km, Chile 5,150 km, Paraguay 1,880 km, Uruguay
579 km

{2}Coastline:{4} 4,989 km

{2}Maritime claims:{4}
contiguous zone: 24 nm
{3}continental shelf:{4} 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
{3}exclusive economic zone:{4} 200 nm
{3}territorial sea:{4} 12 nm

{2}International disputes:{4} short section of the boundary with Uruguay is in dispute; short section of
the boundary with Chile is indefinite; claims British-administered Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas);
claims British-administered South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; territorial claim in
Antarctica

{2}Climate:{4} mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest

{2}Terrain:{4} rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia in south,
rugged Andes along western border
{3}lowest point:{4} Salinas Chicas -40 m
{3}highest point:{4} Cerro Aconcagua 6,962 m

{2}Natural resources:{4} fertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese,
petroleum, uranium

{2}Land use:{4}
{3}arable land:{4} 9%
{3}permanent crops:{4} 4%
{3}meadows and pastures:{4} 52%
{3}forest and woodland:{4} 22%
{3}other:{4} 13%

{2}Irrigated land:{4} 17,600 sq km (1989 est.)

{2}Environment:{4}
{3}current issues:{4} erosion results from inadequate flood controls and improper land use practices;
irrigated soil degradation; desertification; air pollution in Buenos Aires and other major cities; water
pollution in urban areas; rivers becoming polluted due to increased pesticide and fertilizer use

{2}natural hazards:{4} Tucuman and Mendoza areas in the Andes subject to earthquakes; pamperos
are violent windstorms that can strike the Pampas and northeast; heavy flooding

{2}international agreements:{4} party to - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous
Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Marine Life Conservation

{2}Geographic note:{4} second-largest country in South America (after Brazil); strategic location relative
to sea lanes between South Atlantic and South Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle
Channel, Drake Passage)


{1}People{4}

{2}Population:{4} 34,672,997 (July 1996 est.)

{2}Age structure:{4}
{3}0-14 years:{4} 28% (male 4,904,380; female 4,707,293)
{3}15-64 years:{4} 63% (male 10,851,004; female 10,834,593)
{3}65 years and over:{4} 9% (male 1,414,412; female 1,961,315) (July 1996 est.)

{2}Population growth rate:{4} 1.1% (1996 est.)

{2}Birth rate:{4} 19.41 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Death rate:{4} 8.62 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Net migration rate:{4} 0.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Sex ratio:{4}
{3}at birth:{4} 1.05 male(s)/female
{3}under 15 years:{4} 1.04 male(s)/female
{3}15-64 years:{4} 1 male(s)/female
{3}65 years and over:{4} 0.72 male(s)/female
{3}all ages:{4} 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

{2}Infant mortality rate:{4} 28.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

{2}Life expectancy at birth:{4}
{3}total population:{4} 71.66 years
{3}male:{4} 68.37 years
{3}female:{4} 75.12 years (1996 est.)

{2}Total fertility rate:{4} 2.62 children born/woman (1996 est.)

{2}Nationality:{4}
{3}noun:{4} Argentine(s)
{3}adjective:{4} Argentine

{2}Ethnic divisions:{4} white 85%, mestizo, Indian, or other nonwhite groups 15%

{2}Religions:{4} nominally Roman Catholic 90% (less than 20% practicing), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%,
other 6%

{2}Languages:{4} Spanish (official), English, Italian, German, French

{2}Literacy:{4} age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
{3}total population:{4} 96.2%
{3}male:{4} 96.2%
{3}female:{4} 96.2%


{1}Government{4}

{2}Name of country:{4}
{3}conventional long form:{4} Argentine Republic
{3}conventional short form:{4} Argentina
{3}local long form:{4} Republica Argentina
{3}local short form:{4} Argentina

{2}Type of government:{4} republic

{2}Capital:{4} Buenos Aires

{2}Administrative divisions:{4} 23 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia), and 1 federal district*
(distrito federal); Buenos Aires; Catamarca; Chaco; Chubut; Cordoba; Corrientes; Distrito
Federal*; Entre Rios; Formosa; Jujuy; La Pampa; La Rioja; Mendoza; Misiones; Neuquen; Rio
Negro; Salta; San Juan; San Luis; Santa Cruz; Santa Fe; Santiago del Estero; Tierra del Fuego,
Antartida e Islas del Atlantico Sur; Tucuman
{3}note:{4} the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica or Argentina's claims to the Falkland
Islands

{2}Independence:{4} 9 July 1816 (from Spain)

{2}National holiday:{4} Revolution Day, 25 May (1810)

{2}Constitution:{4} 1 May 1853; revised August 1994

{2}Legal system:{4} mixture of US and West European legal systems; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction

{2}Suffrage:{4} 18 years of age; universal

{2}Executive branch:{4}
chief of state and head of government: President Carlos Saul MENEM (since 8 July 1989) was
elected for a four-year term by universal suffrage; election last held 14 May 1995 (next to be held
May 1999); results - Carlos Saul MENEM was reelected; Vice President Carlos RUCKAUF
{3}cabinet:{4} Cabinet was appointed by the president

{2}Legislative branch:{4} bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)
Senate: elections last held NA May 1995 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party
NA; seats - (72 total) PJ 38, others 34
Chamber of Deputies: one-half of the members elected every two years to four-year terms;
elections last held 14 May 1995; (next to be held NA 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (257 total) PJ 132, UCR 68, Frepaso 26, other 31

{2}Judicial branch:{4} Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), the nine Supreme Court judges are appointed
by the president with approval of the Senate

{2}Political parties and leaders:{4} Justicialist Party (PJ), Carlos Saul MENEM, Peronist umbrella
political organization; Radical Civic Union (UCR), Rodolfo TERRAGNO, moderately left-of-center
party; Union of the Democratic Center (UCD), conservative party; Dignity and Independence
Political Party (MODIN), Aldo RICO, right-wing party; Grand Front (Frente Grande), Carlos
ALVAREZ, center-left coalition; Front for a Country in Solidarity (Frepaso, a four party coalition),
leader Jose Octavio BORDON; several provincial parties

{2}Other political or pressure groups:{4} Peronist-dominated labor movement; General Confederation of
Labor (CGT), Peronist-leaning umbrella labor organization; Argentine Industrial Union
(manufacturers' association); Argentine Rural Society (large landowners' association); business
organizations; students; the Roman Catholic Church; the Armed Forces

{2}International organization participation:{4} AfDB, AG (observer), Australia Group, BCIE, CCC,
ECLAC, FAO, G- 6, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM,
IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES,
LAIA, Mercosur, MINURSO, MTCR, NSG (observer), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UN Security
Council (temporary), UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR,
UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIH, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WToO, WTrO

{2}Diplomatic representation in US:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador Raul Enrique GRANILLO OCAMPO
{3}chancery:{4} 1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
{3}telephone:{4} [1] [phone] through 6403
{3}consulate(s) general:{4} Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York,
San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)

{2}US diplomatic representation:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador James R. CHEEK
{3}embassy:{4} 4300 Colombia, 1425 Buenos Aires
{3}mailing address:{4} Unit 4334, APO AA 34034
{3}telephone:{4} [54] (1) 777-4533, 4534
{3}FAX:{4} [54] (1) 777-0197

{2}Flag:{4} three equal horizontal bands of light blue (top), white, and light blue; centered in the white
band is a radiant yellow sun with a human face known as the Sun of May


{1}Economy{4}

{2}Economic overview:{4} Argentina, rich in natural resources, benefits also from a highly literate
population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Nevertheless,
following decades of mismanagement and statist policies, the economy in the late 1980s was
plagued with huge external debts and recurring bouts of hyperinflation. Elected in 1989, in the
depths of recession, President MENEM has implemented a comprehensive economic
restructuring program that shows signs of putting Argentina on a path of stable, sustainable
growth. Argentina's currency has traded at par with the US dollar since April 1991, and inflation
has fallen to its lowest level in 20 years. Argentines have responded to the relative price stability
by repatriating flight capital and investing in domestic industry. After registering impressive 7.4%
growth in 1994, based largely on inflows of foreign capital and strong domestic consumption, the
Argentine economy stumbled in 1995 as financial pressures fueled by the Mexican peso crisis and
political squabbling within the MENEM administration undermined investor confidence and
triggered capital outflows. By yearend, GDP had contracted 4.4%, unemployment reached 16%,
and Buenos Aires struggled to meet fiscal targets. On the trade front, exports soared during the
first half of 1995 - largely because of strong demand in Brazil and high commodity prices - while
anemic domestic consumption lowered imports; the resulting yearend trade surplus was about
$1.2 billion. However, because exports contribute only 7.5% to GDP, increased foreign sales had
little impact on aggregate growth. High unemployment will continue to plague the MENEM
administration for the next several years as provincial entities are readied for privatization and
more public sector employees are laid off.

{2}GDP:{4} purchasing power parity - $278.5 billion (1995 est.)

{2}GDP real growth rate:{4} -4.4%

{2}GDP per capita:{4} $8,100 (1995 est.)

{2}GDP composition by sector:{4}
{3}agriculture:{4} 6%
{3}industry:{4} 31%
{3}services:{4} 63% (1992 est.)

{2}Inflation rate (consumer prices):{4} 1.7% (1995 est.)

{2}Labor force:{4} 10.9 million
{3}by occupation:{4} agriculture 12%, industry 31%, services 57% (1985 est.)

{2}Unemployment rate:{4} 16% (1995 est.)

{2}Budget:{4}
{3}revenues:{4} $48.46 billion
{3}expenditures:{4} $46.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.5 billion (1994 est.)

{2}Industries:{4} food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and
petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel

{2}Industrial production growth rate:{4} -4.6% (1995 est.)

{2}Electricity:{4}
{3}capacity:{4} 17,330,000 kW
{3}production:{4} 54.8 billion kWh
{3}consumption per capita:{4} 1,610 kWh (1993)

{2}Agriculture:{4} wheat, corn, sorghum, soybeans, sugar beets; livestock

{2}Illicit drugs:{4} increasing use as a transshipment country for cocaine headed for Europe and the US

{2}Exports:{4} $20.7 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
{3}commodities:{4} meat, wheat, corn, oilseed, manufactures
{3}partners:{4} US 9%, Brazil, Italy, Japan, Netherlands

{2}Imports:{4} $19.5 billion (c.i.f., 1995)
{3}commodities:{4} machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, fuels and lubricants, agricultural
products
{3}partners:{4} US 21%, Brazil, Germany, Bolivia, Japan, Italy, Netherlands

{2}External debt:{4} $90 billion (December 1995)

{2}Economic aid:{4} $NA

{2}Currency:{4} 1 nuevo peso argentino = 100 centavos

{2}Exchange rates:{4} pesos per US$1 - 1.00000 (January 1996), 0.99975 (1995), 0.99901 (1994),
0.99895 (1993), 0.99064 (1992), 0.95355 (1991)

{2}Fiscal year:{4} calendar year


{1}Transportation{4}

{2}Railways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 37,910 km
{3}broad gauge:{4} 24,124 km 1.676-m gauge (142 km electrified)
standard gauge: 2,765 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 11,021 km 1.000-m gauge (26 km electrified)

{2}Highways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 215,578 km
{3}paved:{4} 61,440 km
{3}unpaved:{4} 154,138 km

{2}Waterways:{4} 11,000 km navigable

{2}Pipelines:{4} crude oil 4,090 km; petroleum products 2,900 km; natural gas 9,918 km

{2}Ports:{4} Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, Comodoro Rivadavia, Concepcion del Uruguay, La Plata, Mar
del Plata, Necochea, Rio Gallegos, Rosario, Santa Fe, Ushuaia

{2}Merchant marine:{4}
{3}total:{4} 37 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 303,448 GRT/458,864 DWT
{3}ships by type:{4} bulk 1, cargo 11, chemical tanker 1, container 3, oil tanker 14, railcar carrier 1,
refrigerated cargo 5, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1995 est.)

{2}Airports:{4}
{3}total:{4} 1,253
{3}with paved runways over 3,047 m:{4} 5
{3}with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m:{4} 25
{3}with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m:{4} 54
{3}with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 46
{3}with paved runways under 914 m:{4} 511
{3}with unpaved runways over 3,047 m:{4} 1
{3}with unpaved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m:{4} 2
{3}with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m:{4} 60
{3}with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 549 (1995 est.)


{1}Communications{4}

{2}Telephones:{4} 2.7 million (1983 est.)

{2}Telephone system:{4} 12,000 public telephones; extensive modern system but many families do not
have telephones; despite extensive use of microwave radio relay, the telephone system frequently
grounds out during rainstorms, even in Buenos Aires
{3}domestic:{4} microwave radio relay and a domestic satellite system with 40 earth stations serve the
trunk network
{3}international:{4} satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

{2}Radio broadcast stations:{4} AM 171, FM 0, shortwave 13

{2}Radios:{4} 22.3 million (1991 est.)

{2}Television broadcast stations:{4} 231

{2}Televisions:{4} 7.165 million (1991 est.)


{1}Defense{4}

{2}Branches:{4} Argentine Army, Navy of the Argentine Republic, Argentine Air Force, National
Gendarmerie, Argentine Naval Prefecture (Coast Guard only), National Aeronautical Police Force

{2}Manpower availability:{4}
{3}males age 15-49:{4} 8,707,014
{3}males fit for military service:{4} 7,063,304
males reach military age (20) annually: 310,107 (1996 est.)

{2}Defense expenditures:{4} exchange rate conversion - $4.7 billion, 1.5% of GDP (1995)