The true size of Argentina
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Argentina covering most of the southern portion of the continent is the world’s 8th largest country.
Argentina covers an area of 2,780,400 square kilometers or 1,073,500 square miles of the southern portion of the South American continent. Argentina is the 2nd-largest country in South America after Brazil, the 4th-largest country in the Americas, and the 8th-largest country globally.
The maps below, created by Ruy Pinto Schaffroth, show how many other countries can fit into Argentina.
Argentina occupies an area more extensive than the U.S. state of Texas and Mexico combined (Argentina is slightly less than three-tenths the size of the U.S.). It confines vast plains, forests, deserts, tundra, tall mountains, rivers, and thousands of miles of ocean coastline. Argentina also claims a part of Antarctica and several South Atlantic isles, including South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands, and the British-controlled Falkland Islands.
Argentina borders Chile to the west, Bolivia and Paraguay to the north, Brazil to the northeast, and Uruguay to the east. Argentina is a federal state subdivided into 23 provinces and one autonomous city – the capital Buenos Aires.
Argentina has long played an essential role in the continent’s history. Following three centuries of Spanish colonization, Argentina proclaimed independence in 1816.
The almost-unprecedented growth in prosperity led to Argentina becoming the 7th-wealthiest nation in the world by the early 20th century. In 1896, Argentina’s GDP per capita exceeded that of the U.S. and was invariably in the top ten before at least 1920!
Following the Great Depression in the 1930s, Argentina plunged into political instability and economic deterioration that pushed it back into underdevelopment. However, it remained among the 15 wealthiest nations for several decades. Nowadays, it is ranked 62nd in the world.
Argentina is a regional power and keeps its historic status as a middle power in international affairs.
