Argentina

Overview

Being amongst the world's largest countries means that Argentina not only holds diverse attractions but has them on a scale that promotes thoughts of exploration. The riverine Littoral, dry Cuyo, stretching Pampas and intoxicating jungle are all settings for distractions that are an interesting mix of colonial and indigenous cultures.

The interest lies in the feel of some of the locations, such as Buenos Aires, where the ties with Europe in architecture and culture are strong despite the latitude. Whereas in others there are pre-Columbian ruins and living conditions that would have to be generously called spartan. Dubious economic policies have not helped the poverty gap but do mean that the country is accessible to outsiders.

Highs and lows are also seen in the elevation with the Salinas below sea level and the close to 7000m Aconcagua. The latter is just one area that is particularly popular with mountaineers and trekkers, others being the Patagonian Andes, the Sierras de Cordoba and the Sierra de la Ventana. Activities are not limited to the adventurous with opportunities for skiing, golf, diving and the usual fun associated with beaches.

History

The area of present Argentina was relatively sparsely populated until it was colonised by Europeans. Spain established a permanent colony on the site of Buenos Aires in 1580, and the Viceroyalty of River Plate in 1776. Independence from Spain was declared on 9 July 1816. Centralist and federationist groups were in conflict, until national unity was established and the Constitution promulgated in 1853.

Foreign investment and inmigration from Europe aided the introduction of modern agricultural techniques and integration of Argentina into the world economy in the late 19th century. In the 1880s the "Conquest of the Desert" subdued or exterminated the remaining native tribes throughout Patagonia.

From 1880 to 1930 Argentina became one of the ten wealthiest nations. Conservative forces dominated Argentine politics until 1916, when their traditional rivals, the Radicals, won control of the government. The military forced Hipolito Yrigoyen from power in 1930 leading to another decade of Conservative rule.

Political change led to the presidency of Juan Domingo Perón in 1946, who aimed at empowering the working class and greatly expanded the number of unionised workers. The Revolucion Libertadora of 1955 deposed him.

In the 1950s and 1960s, military and civilian administrations traded power. When military governments failed to revive the economy and suppress escalating terrorism in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the way was open for Perón's return to the presidency in 1973, with his third wife, Maria Estela Isabel Martinez de Peron, as Vice President. During this period, extremists on the left and right carried out terrorist acts...more