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South America
Independence from Spain: July 9, 1816.
A military dictatorship began ruling in 1976. Democracy returned in 1983.
Figures unless otherwise stated are from the CIA Factbook.
Estimated per capita GDP:
2007 $13,000 (ranks 82nd)
GDP annual growth rate estimated for 2007: 8.5 percent. (Ranks 20th)
In 2001 Argentina's economy collapsed. In 2003 recovery was underway. The Factbook: "Growth is being led by a revival in domestic demand, solid exports, and favorable external conditions. The government boosted spending ahead of the October 2005 midterm congressional elections, but strong revenue performance will allow Argentina to exceed its primary budget surplus target for this year of 3.2 percent of GDP. Inflation has been rising steadily and is expected to reach 11.8 percent this year."
Argentina produces about twice as much oil as it consumes. It exports other fuels, feed, edible oils, cars, cereals.
Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP: 1.3 (2005 estimate).
Deaths: 7.54. Births: 16.32, down from 17.47 in 2005.
Estimated for July 2008: 40.677 million. Growth rate: 0.917 percent per year. Persons per square kilometers estimated in 2005: 14.3, compared to 187 for Switzerland.
More arriving than leaving, a net gain of 0.39 persons per 1,000 population.
Infant mortality estimated for 2008: 13.87 deaths before the age of one year, per 1,000 live births.
Average life expectancy estimated for 2008: 76.52, up from 76.32 in 2007.
97 percent white. 92 percent nominally Roman Catholic, less than 20 percent practicing Roman Catholic. Protestants 2 percent. Jewish 2 percent.
SOURCES:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook
Copyright © 2008 by Frank E. Smitha. All rights reserved.