Argentina

Lore & Background

The earliest recorded human presence in modern-day Argentina dates back to the Paleolithic period. The Inca Empire expanded to the northwest of the country in pre-Columbian times. The modern country has its roots in Spanish colonisation of the region during the 16th century. Argentina rose as the successor state of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata, a Spanish overseas viceroyalty founded in 1776. The Argentine Declaration of Independence on July 9 of 1816 and the Argentine War of Independence (1810–1825) were followed by an extended civil war that lasted until 1880, culminating in the country's reorganisation as a federation. The National Autonomist Party dominated national politics in the period called the Conservative Republic, from 1880 until the 1916 elections. The Great Depression led to the first coup d'état in 1930 led by José Félix Uriburu, beginning the so-called 'Infamous Decade' (1930–1943). After that coup, four more followed in 1943, 1955, 1962, and 1966. Following the death of President Juan Perón in 1974, his widow and vice president, Isabel Perón, ascended to the presidency, before being overthrown in the final coup in 1976. The following military junta persecuted and murdered thousands of political critics, activists, and leftists in the Dirty War, a period of state terrorism and civil unrest that lasted until the election of Raúl Alfonsín as president in 1983.

In Their Own Story

The floodlights hummed over Soccer City in Johannesburg. The air was thick with tension, smelling of cut grass and anticipation. On one side, the red of Spain stood calm, organized. On the other, the sky blue and white stripes of Argentina vibrated with energy. In the final moments, time seemed to suspend itself. A pass found its way into the box. One touch, a strike past the keeper. The roar that followed was not just for a goal, but for history written in the making.

Reader's Guide

Argentina is a regional power, and retains its historic status as a middle power in international affairs. A major non-NATO ally of the United States, Argentina is a developing country with the second-highest HDI in Latin America after Chile. Its economy is the second-largest in South America, and it is a member of G-15 and G20. Argentina is also a founding member of the United Nations, World Bank, World Trade Organization, Mercosur, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and the Organization of Ibero-American States.

Did You Know?

• The name Argentina derives from the Latin word for 'silver'.
• The first written use of the name 'Argentina' in Spanish can be traced to a 1602 poem by Martín del Barco Centenera.
• The 1826 constitution included the first use of the name 'Argentine Republic' in legal documents.
• In English, the country was traditionally called 'the Argentine'.