History, Problems and Future of Latin American Country Argentina Historical Highlights3 Chapter 2 - Governmental / Social Problem #19 Chapter 3 - Governmental / Social Problem #211 Chapter 4 - Current Relations with the United States14 Chapter 5 - Regional Relations15 Appendix II - Tables (Part 1: Population)24 Appendix II - Tables (Part 2: Geography)25 Appendix II - Tables (Part 3: Economy)27 Appendix II - Tables (Part 4: Military)29 Appendix II - Tables (Part 5: Religion)30 Appendix II - Tables (Part 6: Government)31 Appendix II - Tables (Part 7: History)32 Argentina Historical Highlights Europeans arrived in the region with the 1502 voyage of Amerigo Vespucci. Spanish navigator Juan Diaz de Solias visited what is now Argentina in 1516. Spain established a permanent colony on the site of Buenos Aires in 1580. They further integrated Argentina into their empire following the establishment of the Vice-Royalty of Rio de la Plata in 1776, and Buenos Aires became a flourishing port. Buenos Aires formally declared independence from Spain on July 9, 1816. Argentines revere General Jose de San Martin, who campaigned in Argentina, Chile, and Peru, as the hero of their national independence. Following the defeat of the Spanish, centralist and federalist groups waged a lengthy conflict between themselves to determine the future of the nation. National unity was established and the constitution promulgated in 1853. Two forces combined to create the modern Argentine nation in the late 19th century: the introduction of modern agricultural techniques and the integration of Argentina into the world economy. Foreign investment and immigration from Europe aided this economic revolution. The investment, primarily British, came in such fields as railroads and ports. The migrants who worked to develop Argentina's resources came from throughout Europe, but mostly from Italy and Spain. Conservative forces dominated Argentine politics until 1916, when thei...
