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Argentina |
 Argentina is subdivided into twenty-three provinces, and one autonomous city, which is the federal capital of the nation. Buenos Aires. The provinces and the capital have their own constitutions, but exist under a federal system. The earliest recorded human presence in modern-day Argentina dates back to the Paleolithic period.The Inca Empire expanded to the northwest of the country in Pre-Columbian times. The almost-unparalleled increase in prosperity led to Argentina becoming the seventh-wealthiest nation in the world by the early 20th century. Argentina had the world's highest real GDP per capita during 1895 and 1896, and was consistently in the top ten before at least 1920. Currently, it is ranked 71st in the world. Argentina ranks very high in the Human Development Index, the second-highest in Latin America after Chile. It is a regional power, and retains its historic status as a middle power in international affairs. It maintains the second-largest economy in South America, and is a member of G-15 and G20. Argentina is also a founding member of the United Nations, World Bank, World Trade Organization, Mercosur, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and the Organization. |