Industrial and commercial South America

by Annie S. Peck

Argentina, from the south the first country on the Atlantic coast, the second largest in South America, has been called not only the most progressive on that continent but the richest per capita on the globe.

Area, Population, Boundary

Area. Occupying the greater part of the southern extremity of the continent, Argentina is nearly 2300 miles long, with an extreme width just south of Paraguay of 930 miles. Nearly as broad in the centre, the country below the Province of Buenos Aires narrows rapidly towards the south. Extending from 22° to 56° S. Lat., it has an area of 1,154,000 square miles, equal to about one-third of Europe and more than one-third of the United States: approximately that of the part east of the Mississippi River with Texas in addition.

Population. In 1919 the inhabitants were reckoned as over 8,000,000. In 1921 there may be 9,000,000, at least 8,500,000; more than seven to a square mile. Ninety per cent of the population is found in 40 per cent of the territory, although the rest may be the richest.

Boundary. While boundary disputes have occurred with her neighbors as in the case of the other South American countries, all of Argentina’s have been amicably settled by arbitration or agreement. Bolivia and Paraguay, a trifle of Brazil and of Uruguay are on her northern border, the last three are on the east; a long stretch of the Atlantic Ocean is at the southeast; at the south is a bit of Chile, which country extends along the entire western boundary.

History

While a few settlements were made in Argentina (the country was discovered in 1508) from a half to a whole century earlier than those of our own coast cities, the country was so hampered by restrictions of immigration and commerce, exceeding those placed on the West Coast, that its growth was stifled. After proclaiming independence it suffered for years from internal disorders, but during the last half century its development has been phenomenal. In 1535, the same year that Pizarro founded Lima, Pedro de Mendoza landed on the south shore of La Plata River and made at Buenos Aires the first settlement on this part of the continent. But the Indians of the East Coast were more savage than most of those on the West, and a few years later, after many colonists had been killed, the little town was abandoned. In 1580 it was re-established by Juan de Garay, after a number of settlements had been made in other districts, as at Mendoza, Santiago, Tucumán, and Córdoba. Previously attached to the great dominion ruled from Peru, in 1776 a Viceroyalty was established at Buenos Aires.

In 1806-07, during a European war, the city was attacked by British forces which were ultimately obliged to retreat. By reason of this success the colonists became more self reliant, and May 25th, 1810, they formed a junta of citizens who took from the Viceroy the control of the Government. While this was done in the name of Ferdinand VII, the date is regarded as the birth of their independence. July 9th, the date of the Proclamation of Independence by an Argentine Congress in 1816, is alike celebrated. Not being at first obliged to fight a Spanish army in Argentina, some of the colonists under General San Martín kindly assisted in liberating Chile and later Peru from the Spanish yoke. Meanwhile Congress having declared independence had made Buenos Aires the seat of government. Yet during civil strife which for many years continued, the Province of Buenos Aires was at one time an independent State, separated from the Argentine Federation. In 1861 matters were finally settled and reunion was established. In the latter part of that decade occurred the Paraguayan War, which was followed by some internal difficulties; but with many able leaders, growth and prosperity for the most part have since prevailed.

Government

The Government of Argentina is that of a Federal rather than a Centralized Republic, although in fact the President has a preponderating influence, with certain rights of intervention in the affairs of any Province. The constitution following quite closely that of the United States, there are the three usual branches. The President of the Republic, elected for a term of six years, is not immediately eligible for reëlection. Congress has a Senate of 30 members and a Chamber of Deputies of 158.