Argentina: Geography, Climate, and Regional Analysis
General Information About Argentina
- Area: 2,780,403 square KM
- Population: Approximately 36,000,000
- Capital: Buenos Aires, with over 10 million inhabitants
- Location: Two ways to locate a point on Earth: geographical location using cardinal points, and astroman location based on latitude and longitude.
Argentina is located in the southeast of South America, bordering Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Chile. It lies between 22° and 55° south latitude, placing much of its territory within the temperate zone. The northernmost part is warmer due to the Tropic of Capricorn.
Climate Zones
A circle divided into five parts illustrates the climate zones:
- Cold Zone (North)
- Temperate Zone
- Warm Zone (Middle)
- Temperate Zone
- Cold Zone (South)
Country’s Physical Aspects
Relief
Argentina presents three main types of relief:
- Mountains: The Andes Cordillera (West)
- Plateaus: Patagonia (South)
- Plains: Chaco-Pampeana (East)
Climate
Argentina has a great variety of climates. The north has tropical and subtropical climates due to the presence of the tropics. The central-east climate is similar to Uruguay’s (humid temperate). The west has a dry climate due to the Andes mountains blocking moisture. The south has a cold climate due to its proximity to the Arctic Circle.
Vegetation
- Pine forests
- Steppes
- Varied vegetation
- Xerophile (Cactus)
- Meadows
- Selva (Jungle)
Regions of Argentina
For a better study, the country is divided into five regions, each with similar or homogeneous geographic characteristics. We will focus on the Humid Pampas and Patagonia.
Humid Pampas
Located in the heart of the country, the Humid Pampas feature plains interrupted by Tandil hills. It has a humid temperate climate, allowing for the development of vegetation that feeds cattle. This region has a large population, especially in Buenos Aires, which also has a coastline on the Rio de la Plata. Its port facilitates the export of its production. Major industries include oil refining.
Patagonia
Patagonia extends in southern Argentina, bordered by the Andes Cordillera and the Atlantic Ocean. Its location results in a cold climate, determining two types of vegetation: pine forests and steppe, which serve as food for cattle. The eastern relief is stepped, resulting in few ports of poor quality. Major resources include wood, meat, and oil.
Findings on Argentina
In conclusion, Argentina has diverse geography, offering rich landscapes. However, despite its resources, a significant portion of the population lives below the poverty line due to poor distribution of resources, corruption, and privatization.