Argentina is a country in South America sharing borders with Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay and Chile. It is the second largest country in size on the South American continent and eighth largest in the world.

European explorers arrived in Argentina in 1516 and Spain established a permanent colony on the site of Buenos Aires in 1580. After the overthrow of King Ferdinand VII by Napoleon, citizens of Buenos Aires created the First Government Junta which eventually split into two nations: the United Provinces of South America and the Liga Federal. After several military campaigns the Liga Federal and Portugal armies from Brazil and its provinces were absorbed into the United Provinces of South America.

After declaring their independence from Spain in 1816, the United Provinces separated to become Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay. The remaining area became modern day Argentina.

After World War II, an era of Peronist authoritarian rule was ended by a military junta that took power in 1976. Democracy returned to the country in 1983, and has persisted despite numerous challenges frequently stemming from its volatile economy.

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  Creative Commons image by "CIA World Factbook"

• Wikipedia: Geography of Argentina

• Official Site: Argentina Geography and Climate

• BuenosAires54.com: Argentina-Geography

• Wikipedia: Sport in Argentina

• ESPNsoccernet: Argentina National

• Official Site: Argentina Football Association

• Wikipedia: Argentina National Football Team

• Official Site: Confederation of Argentina Basketball

• Wikipedia: Argentina National Basketball Team

• Official Site: Rally Mundial

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