35,672,000 (1997).

12.7 per sq km.

Buenos Aires.

2,960,976 (1991).

Argentina is situated in South America, east of the Andes, and is bordered by Chile to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil to the north and northeast. There are four main geographical areas: the Andes, the North and Mesopotamia, the Pampas and Patagonia. The climate and geography of Argentina vary considerably, ranging from the great heat of the Chaco, through the pleasant climate of the central Pampas to the sub-Antarctic cold of the Patagonian Sea. Mount Aconcagua soars almost 7000m (23,000ft) and waterfalls at Iguazú stretch around a massive semi-circle, thundering 70m (230ft) to the bed of the Paraná River. In the southwest is a small 'Switzerland' with a string of beautiful icy lakes framed by mountains.

Federal and Democratic Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1816. Head of State and Government: President Fernando de la Ruá since 1999.

Spanish is the official language. English is widely spoken with some French and German.

80% Roman Catholic, 7% Protestant with small Muslim and Jewish communities.

GMT - 3.

220 volts AC, 50Hz. Lamp fittings are of the screw-type. Plug fittings in older buildings are of the 2-pin round type, but some new buildings use the 3-pin flat type.