Weather
Mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest.
Terrain
Rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border.
Currency
Argentine Peso (ARS)
Languages
Spanish (official), English, Italian, German, French
Religion
nominally Roman Catholic 92% (less than 20% practicing), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 4%
Ethnic groups
white (mostly Spanish and Italian) 97%, mestizo, Amerindian, or other nonwhite groups 3%
History
Following independence from Spain in 1816, Argentina experienced periods of internal political conflict between conservatives and liberals and between civilian and military factions. After World War II, a long period of Peronist authoritarian rule and interference in subsequent governments was followed by a military junta that took power in 1976. Democracy returned in 1983, and numerous elections since then have underscored Argentina's progress in democratic consolidation.
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