ABSTRACT
Argentina, a vast nation located in the south of the American continent, had a population of about 36 million people (52% female) in 2001, with one-third living in the capital city, Buenos Aires, and its surrounding area. It is a developed country ranked 34th among the 173 nations of the world, according to the Human Development Index. This index is estimated by the United Nations Development Program taking into account life expectancy at birth (72 years of age in Argentina), educational level (adult literacy is 97%), and average standard of living according to real gross domestic product per capita adjusted by purchase power ($12,013 USD per year). Argentina is the best-positioned nation in Latin America, and it is closely followed by Chile and Uruguay, which also belong to the high human development group. Further national data include a 90% rate of urbanization and an economic structure in which the gross domestic product is composed of 6% primary activities (mainly agriculture and livestock), 28% industry, and 66% services. According to age, 22.7% of the Argentinean
population is made up of children younger than 12 years; 12.6% is 12-to 18-year-old adolescents;
55% are adults; and 10% are elderly people 65 years of age or older. During the period between 1870 and 1930,
millions of immigrants-mainly Italians and Spaniards-arrived in Argentina. This enormous immigratory flow turned Argentina into the most Europeanized country in Latin America, with less than 3% of the population claiming pure Native American or non-European status. Immigrants compose only 4% of the population, with 2.4% coming from bordering countries and 1.6% from other countries. Approximately 89% of Argentineans are Catholic. Argentina, a representative, federal, and republi-
can democracy, is characterized by political instability and repeated economic crises that began around 1930. Since then, a series of military administrations that seized power through coups d’e´tat have ruled, only to be replaced by constitutional governments elected by the people. In the 1970s, the last years of prosperity were witnessed. The 1970s marked the end of the welfare state that, although never reaching the level of European countries, granted free education until leaving university, free health service, housing plans, and fair pensions.
