República Argentina

Political Status: Independent republic proclaimed 1816; under military regimes 1966–1973 and 1976–1983; current constitution adopted August 22, 1994.

Area: 1,068,013 sq. mi. (2,766,889 sq. km.), excluding territory claimed in Antarctica and the South Atlantic.

Population: 36,260,130 (2001C); 39,870,000 (2008E).

Major Urban Centers (2005E): BUENOS AIRES (12,704,000), Córdoba (1,315,000), Rosario (908,000), La Plata (581,000).

Official Language: Spanish.

Monetary Unit: Peso (official rate December 1, 2009: 3.81 pesos = $1US).

President: Cristina FERNÁNDEZ de Kirchner (Justicialist Party–Victory Front); elected on October 28, 2007, and inaugurated for a four-year term on December 10, 2007, succeeding Néstor Carlos KIRCHNER (Justicialist Party).

Vice President: Julio César Cleto COBOS (Radical Civic Union for Kirchner–Victory Front); elected on October 28, 2007, and inaugurated for a term concurrent with that of the president on December 10, 2007, succeeding ...