Argentina

National Icthus Director or Coordinator:	Noemi Oviedo	Courtesy of the University of Texas Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin.
Capital:	Buenos Aires
Population:	39,144,800
Population under age 15:	26%
Ethnic Groups:	white (mostly Spanish and Italian) 97%, mestizo, Amerindian, or other nonwhite groups 3%
National Products:	sunflower seeds, soybeans, grapes, corn, tobacco, livestock food processing, motor vehicles, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals
GDP (Per capita gross domestic product):	$3,375
Currency:	Argentine peso (ARS)
Life Expectancy at Birth:	76 years
Infant Mortality:	16 deaths/1000 births
Protestant / Evangelical Churches:	17,000
Icthus Web:	None

History of Country: Two main indigenous groups, the Diaguita and the Guarani, existed in Argentina before the Spanish landed in Argentina in 1516. The strong resistance by these natives to the Spanish made the colonization of Argentina a prolonged campaign. It wasn't until 1536 that Buenos Aires was founded, but it remained economically unimportant for 200 years because import and export of goods along the Rio de la Plata (a viceroyalty created with its capital at Buenos Aires) was banned by the Spanish king.

During the colonization period, the Spanish South America was under the rule of Peru. The social structure included the Peninsulares (the high officials from Spain), the Criollos (European origin who were born in the colonies), the Mestizos (mixed Spanish and Indian blood), and lastly the Indians. Due to diseases carried from Europe and slavery the Indian population declined.

In 1806 British tried to invade Buenos Aires twice, but failed. In July 1816 the provinces united together under the blue and white banner of Belgrano to stop the invasion of soldiers from Peru. The Argentines declared their independence at the Congress of Tucuman. The new country was called the United Provinces of Rio de la Plata. For the next 50 years Argentina experienced bitter struggles between two political groups - the Unitarists and the Federalists. The Unitarists wanted a strong central government, while the Federalists wanted local control. From 1835 to 1852, Gen. Juan Manuel de Rosas, a Federalist established a dictatorship during which thousands of Indians were massacred. Among his decrees were that women had to wear scarlet dresses, and men red badges with the slogan "Federation or Death." Wearing blue, which was the Unitarian color, meant risking being sent to prison or being executed.

In 1852, Rosas was overthrown. The Argentine constitution was formally adopted on May 1, 1853. Between 1880 and 1914, Argentina won new territories, and prospered. Its booming economy attracted large foreign investors. In 1946, Juan Domingo Peron came to power. He blocked freedom of speech, confiscated liberal newspapers, imprisoned political opponents, and made the country into a one-party state. In 1955, he was overthrown and sent into exile. Argentina was ruled by military dictatorship, which dissolved the congress, outlawed all political parties, and placed the universities and trade unions under the army's control.

The "Dirty War" began in 1976, when the military government arbitrarily arrested people who were suspected of disagreeing with the government. People were kidnapped on the streets and never seen again; they were imprisoned and prosecuted. An estimated 15,000 Argentines disappeared between 1976 and 1983, and the violations of human rights caused the US government to stop sending military aid. On April 1982, the military leaders invaded the Islas Malvinas/Falkland Islands, where the British had established a colony. Argentina lost. The ruling junta of generals and admirals were ousted. Today the Argentina has a constitutional government. It suffered in recent years from economic problems. The number of Christians has grown in the last few years significantly. Some have called it a national spiritual revival.

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