Argentina

1. Argentina By Rebecca Long

3. Population • Total Population: 41,769,726 • 97% white • 3% mestizo, Amerindian, other non-white groups • Age distribution • 0-14: 25.4% • 15-64: 63.6% • 65+: 11% • Urban population • 97% of total population

4. Population (cont.) • Official language: Spanish • Other languages: Italian, French, English, and German • Religions • 92% Roman Catholic • Under 20% actually practicing • 2% Protestant • 2% Jewish • 4% other

5. Economics/Demographics • Unemployment rate: 7.9% • 30% of population below the poverty line • Wealth Distribution: • Lowest 10%: 1.7% • Highest 10%: 29.5% • Gini index: • 41.4 • World Rank: 53

6. Industries • Agriculture(crops and livestock) • Food processing • Motor-vehicle manufacturing (metal-working)

7. Government • Republic • Executive Branch • President, Vice President, and Cabinet • Legislative Branch • Senate (72 members) • Chamber of Deputies (257members) • Judicial Branch • Supreme Court, federal courts, and provincial courts • The constitution was written in 1853 (with revisions made in 1994). • Year of Independence: 1816

8. Historical Events: Argentine Independence • Causes: • In 1808 Napoleon began to take over the Spanish government and eventually dethroned King Ferdinand VII, putting Joseph Bonaparte on the throne. • Action: • The municipal council of Spain’s Latin American colonies (including modern Argentina) decided on May 25, 1810 to govern the area until the rightful king was restored to power. • In 1814 King Ferdinand reclaimed power, but had very little political influence in the colonies. • Independence: • On July 9, 1816 the United Provinces of the Rio de la Plata declared themselves independent from Spain. • Their independence was not completely won until Spanish royalist were finally defeated, with the help of Jose de San Martina and Simon Bolivar, in 1824.

9. Historical Events: Overthrow and Re-election of Juan Perón • Rise to Power • Juan Domingo Perón was a part of the military group that overthrew the Argentine government in 1943. • He rose higher in the ranks of the new government due to his military power and with the support of Argentine laborers. • Perón was elected President in February of 1946 and was supported politically by his wife Eva (Evita) Duarte. • He held almost complete political power over the country with the help of the military and rights given by the Argentine constitution were ignored or disregarded. • Overthrow • September 19, 1955 a coup lead by member of the military overthrew Perón’s government and he went to Paraguay and then to Spain. • Re-election • The constitution of Argentina was reinstated in 1973 again allowing political parties and Perón ran again for predsident from the Peronist party and won. He became president again in October of 1973.

10. Historical Events: The Falklands War • Argentina pressed Britain to hand over claim to the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) in 1982. • Argentine troops took the islands by force in April of 1982 and had control of the area for 3 weeks. • The British Navy landed on South Georgia Island on the 25th of April and then eventually reclaimed the Falklands on June 14th after then Argentine forces surrendered. http://soccerprose.com/soccer-players/argentine-fifa-member-asked-england-for-falklands-islands-in-exchange-for-2018-world-cup-vote/

11. Lionel Messi • Lionel Andres Messi was born on June 24, 1987 in Rosario, SanteFé, Argentina. • When he was young he had a growth hormone deficiency and the treatment was very expensive. • His family moved to Lerida, Spain, where they had relatives and his father had a job opportunity that could possibly help pay for the medication. • When in Spain Messi tried out for FC Barcelona’s youth team and signed with them at the age of 13. • He continues to play for Barcelona (at right forward) and he plays for Argentina’s national team. • He was World Soccer Player of the Year from 2006-2009, the UEFA Champions League top scorer for the last two years, and this year’s European Player of the Year. http://koletsy.blogspot.com/2011/07/lionel-messi-photos-copa-america-2011.html

12. Current Issues: Domestic Violence • Domestic violence is against the law in Argentina, but unless it is sexual abuse then there are no penalties to the offender. • This law is also not enforced well by the police and the courts. • The Inter American Development Bank said that in 2004 an estimated 25% of women experienced domestic violence. • Another contributing factor (according to many NGOs) is that many women don’t understand what constitutes an act of domestic violence and what type of actions they should report. This allows much of the domestic violence to pass unreported.

13. Current Issues: Environment • The fragile state of the environment is an issue that Argentina is facing. • Deforestation and erosion are continuing problems and the quality of air and water is worsening. • The forests of Argentina covered 105 million hectares in 1914 and in 2005 only 33 million hectares were still standing. • The demand for clean drinking water is growing with population and sources of water are decreasing. • Much of the used water is not treated before it reenters rivers and oceans, polluting these bodies of water.

14. Current Issues: Unemployment • The current unemployment rate in Argentina is 7.9% and the country is ranked 87th in the world for unemployment. • Particular sections of Argentine industry are doing well and are seeking trained workers to fill growing numbers of positions, but many of these positions are not taken. • This is due to the fact that many people who are looking for jobs are untrained and cannot fulfill the requirements. • For example, computer technology workers are in high demand but it is a position that requires extensive education. • The unemployment rate remains relatively high even though the economy is growing.

15. Culture: Argentine Tango • The argentine tango represents the country very well because its origins are based in the many cultures that make up argentine society. • Immigrants from many different European countries came to Argentina and brought their music and dance styles with them. • African slaves were brought to the area by the Spanish and the Portuguese and their music, rhythms, and dances were mixed with those of the Europeans and together they formed a new dance. http://tangobohemia.com/argentine-tango/

16. Argentine-U.S. Relations • Argentina has a good relationship with the United States. • The two countries work together to fight the drug trade, terrorism, and human trafficking. • There is also a lot of collaboration in science and technology. • Research is being done in the areas of nuclear energy, space, medicine, and others.

17. Bibliography • http://school.eb.com/eb/article-33071?query=argentine%20independence&ct • http://school.eb.com/eb/article-9059306 • http://school.eb.com/eb/article-33095?query=the%20falklands%20war&ct=null • http://www.leomessi.com/eng/ • http://fsdinternational.org/ntlopps/country/argentina/environment • http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/places-timelines/04-history-timeline-of-argentina.htm • http://www.globalissues.org/news/2011/04/01/9127 • https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ar.html • http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2005/61713.htm • http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/26516.htm#relations • http://www.tejastango.com/tango_history.html