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: 42,190,917 (2012E—UN); 42,192,494 (2012E—U.S. Census).

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: Argentine Peso (market rate November 5, 2012: 4.77 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 her husband, Néstor Carlos KIRCHNER (Justicialist Party). Reelected for a second four-year term on October 23, 2011, and inaugurated on December 10.

Vice President: Amado BOUDOU (Justicialist Party-Victory Front); elected on October 23, 2011, and inaugurated ...