Argentina to Venezuela

Chapter 8, Section 2, Part 1

 Argentina
• Argentina nearly reaches Antarctica.
• It is about the size of the U.S. east of
the Mississippi River.
 Argentina
• The Andes tower over the
western part of Argentina.
• South and East of the
Andes is Patagonia, a dry
and windswept plateau.
 Argentina
• More than 2/3 of Argentina’s population
lives in the region known as the pampas.
• The pampas is an area with fertile soil and
mild climate similar to the Great Plains of
the U.S.
• Farmers grow grains and ranchers raise
livestock here.
 Andes

Pampas

Patagonia
 Argentina’s Economy
• Ranching and farming are critical to
Argentina’s economy.
• Gauchos, or cowhands, work on large
estancias, or ranches.
 Argentina’s Economy
• Estancias are found on the pampas of
Argentina.
• Beef and food products are Argentina’s
main exports.
Argentina’s Economy
• Argentina is one of
South America’s most
industrialized
countries.
• Most factories are
located near the
capital city of Buenos
Aires.
 Argentina’s Economy
• Petroleum is a valuable mineral resource.
• Other minerals include zinc, iron ore,
copper, tin, and uranium.
 Argentina's History
• Military leaders ruled
Argentina in the first
1/2 of the 1900’s.
• A revolt in 1955
against dictator Juan
Peron returned
Argentina to
democracy.
 Argentina’s History
• The military took control again in the
1970’s.
• After losing the Falkland Islands to the
United Kingdom in 1982, the military
stepped down and again Argentina
became a democratic republic.
 Argentina’s People
• Argentina’s society, culture, and
language (Spanish) are largely
influenced by European ancestry.
• The predominant religion is Roman
Catholicism.