UPSC Express

Headline : Prelims Program: Map- Argentina

Details :

Why it is important?

• Argentina hosted the recent G20 summit in 2018.
• In Feb 2019, Argentina’s President paid a state visit to India. 2019 is the 70th year of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

 

Argentina

• Argentina is located mostly in the southern half of the South America.
• Argentina derives its name from the Latin word for silver, Argentum as Argentina is a great source of valuable minerals.
• Capital: Buenos Aires
• Argentina is the eighth-largest country in the world and second largest country of South America after Brazil.
• It shares boundary with : Chile (to the west), Bolivia and Paraguay (to the north); Brazil (to the northeast), Uruguay and the South Atlantic Ocean (to the east) and the Drake Passage (to the south).

 

 

Note: The Drake Passage is a narrow body of water between Antarctica and South America. It connects Atlantic Ocean and Pacific ocean.

 

• Its geography is dominated by :
  • Andes mountain range in the west, forming boundary between Chile and Argentina.
  • Gran Chaco lowlands in the north (famous for Quebrancho tree)
  • Pampas grasslands in the centre(one of the most fertile grasslands of the world: famous for Wheat, maize and linseed cultivation)
  • Patagonia Plateau to the south.

 

Note: Trans Andean Railway line provide railway transport over the Andes,  connecting Chile and Argentina.

• Important rivers:
  • Colorado River flows in south of Argentina, generally east -southeast across the arid terrain of northern Patagonia and the southern Pampas.
  • Parana River runs through Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. It is the second longest river in South America. It drains into Rio de la Plata and Atlantic Ocean.
  • Uruguay River passes through Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. It drains into Rio de la Plata and Atlantic Ocean.

Note: Together with the Paraná River, the Uruguay forms the Río de la Plata estuary.

• Climate:
  • Temperate climate in general
  • Temperature decreases from north to south and from east to west.
• Vegetation: Grass is the chief vegetation of Argentina.
• Monte Desert is a small desert above the Patagonian Plateau.