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{{Country geography 
|name = Argentina
|map = Argentina_topo_blank.jpg
|continent = South America
|region = [[Southern Hemisphere]]
|coordinates = {{coord|34|00|S|64|00|W}}
|area ranking = 8th
|km area = 2780400
|percent land = 98.43
|percent water = 1.56
|km coastline = 4,989
|borders = [[Chile]] 6,691 km (4,157 mi)<ref name="cia">{{cite web |url= https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/argentina/|title= The world Factbook: Argentina|work= [[The World Factbook]]|publisher= [[Central Intelligence Agency]]|access-date=December 13, 2013}}</ref><br> [[Paraguay]] 2,531 km (1,572 mi)<ref name="cia" /><br> [[Brazil]] 1,263 km (784 mi)<ref name="cia" /><br> [[Bolivia]] 942 km (585 mi)<ref name="cia" /><br> [[Uruguay]] 541 km (336 mi)<ref name="cia" />
|highest point = [[Cerro Aconcagua]], 6,960 m<ref name="cia" />
|lowest point = [[Laguna del Carbón]], -105 m<ref name="cia" />
|longest river = [[Paraná River]], 4,700&nbsp;km
|largest lake = [[Lake Buenos Aires]] 1,850&nbsp;km²
|exclusive economic zone={{convert|1,159,063|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}
}}

The '''geography of Argentina''' is heavily diverse, consisting of the [[Andes|Andes Mountains]], [[pampas]], and various rivers and lakes. Bordered by the [[Andes]] in the west and the South [[Atlantic Ocean]] to the east, its neighboring countries are [[Chile]] to the west, [[Bolivia]] and [[Paraguay]] to the north, and [[Brazil]] and [[Uruguay]] to the northeast.

In terms of area, Argentina is the second largest country in South America after Brazil, and the [[List of countries and dependencies by area|eighth largest country in the world]]. Its total area is {{convert|2,780,400|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}. Argentina claims a section of [[Antarctica]] ([[Argentine Antarctica]]) that is subject to the [[Antarctic Treaty]].  Argentina also asserts claims to several [[British Overseas Territories|British]] South Atlantic islands.

With a [[Demographics of Argentina|population of 46.6 million]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/argentina/|title=CIA World Factbook: Argentina|access-date=2012-06-26}}</ref> Argentina ranks as the [[List of countries by population|world's 31st most populous country]] {{as of|2010|lc=y}}.

==General characteristics==
[[File:Argentina Blue Marble.png|thumb|left|Satellite map of Argentina taken by [[NASA World Wind]].]]

Argentina is located in the Southern part of [[South America]], being the biggest country in the [[Southern Cone]]. It limits with [[Chile]] to the west and south, with the [[Argentina–Chile border]] being its largest one.<ref name="indec.gob.ar">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indec.gob.ar/indec/web/Nivel4-Tema-1-15-25|title=INDEC: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos de la República Argentina|website=www.indec.gob.ar}}</ref><ref name="Limites">{{Cite web|url=https://www.argentina.gob.ar/pais/territorio/limites|title = Límites|date = September 2020}}</ref> [[Bolivia]] and [[Paraguay]] limit Argentina in the north, the [[Argentina–Paraguay border]] is the second largest one.<ref name="Limites"/> The northern half of Argentina limits with [[Brazil]] and [[Uruguay]] to the east, and the southern half with the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. The [[Falkland Islands]], a [[British Overseas Territories|British Overseas Territory]], are located to the east of southern Argentina, across the ocean.<ref name="nations online">{{cite web |url= https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/argentina-administrative-map.htm|title= Administrative Map of Argentina, South America|author= |date= |publisher= Nations Online|accessdate=August 5, 2024}}</ref> Argentina is located at a strategic point over the [[Strait of Magellan]], the link between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.<ref name="cia" />

Argentina has a land area of 2,780,400&nbsp;km². It is the 8th [[List of countries and dependencies by area|largest country in the world]], between [[India]] and [[Kazakhstan]]. It is the second largest country in South America, after Brazil, and the fourth largest in the Americas after Brazil, Canada, and the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.argentina.gob.ar/pais/territorio/extension|title= Extensión|trans-title= Extension|language= Spanish|author= |date= |publisher= Argentina.gob.ar|accessdate=August 9, 2024}}</ref> The surface is almost eight times that of [[Germany]], and four times that of [[Texas]],<ref name="nations online"/> and three-tenths the size of the United States.<ref name="cia" /> The [[Argentine Sea]], the maritime claims of Argentina, include an [[exclusive economic zone]] of 200&nbsp;nm.<ref name="cia" />

The terrain is composed of plains to the East, with the [[Andes]] mountain range at the western border. Climate is mostly temperate, with an arid area at southeast Patagonia and subantartic climate at the southwest. The [[Iguazu Falls]], one of the [[New 7 Wonders of Nature]], is the largest waterfall system in the world. It is located at the frontier with Brazil, with both countries having part of it.<ref name="cia" />

As for the national [[List of extreme points of Argentina|extreme points]], the northernmost point is the confluence of the [[Río Grande de San Juan|Grande de San Juan river]] and the [[Mojinete river]], at the [[Jujuy Province]].<ref name="Limites"/> The southernmost point is the [[Cape San Pío]] at the [[Tierra del Fuego Province, Argentina|Tierra del Fuego Province]], at the entry point of the [[Beagle Channel]].<ref name="Limites"/> The westernmost point is located at the [[Los Glaciares National Park]], at the [[Santa Cruz Province, Argentina|Santa Cruz Province]].<ref name="Limites"/> The easternmost point is the "Hito V" (CONALI), located at [[Bernardo de Irigoyen, Misiones]].<ref name="Limites"/> The highest point of Argentina is the [[Aconcagua]] mountain at the [[Mendoza Province]], with 6962 m., which is also the highest point of South America.<ref name="cia" /> The lowest point is [[Laguna del Carbón]], at the Santa Cruz Province.<ref name="cia" />

In Argentina [[forest cover]] is around 10% of the total land area, equivalent to 28,573,000 hectares (ha) of forest in 2020, down from 35,204,000 hectares (ha) in 1990. In 2020, naturally regenerating forest covered 27,137,000 hectares (ha) and planted forest covered 1,436,000 hectares (ha). Of the naturally regenerating forest 0% was reported to be [[primary forest]] (consisting of native tree species with no clearly visible indications of human activity) and around 7% of the forest area was found within protected areas. For the year 2015, 0% of the forest area was reported to be under [[State ownership|public ownership]], 4% [[Private property|private ownership]] and 96% with ownership listed as other or unknown.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/a6e225da-4a31-4e06-818d-ca3aeadfd635/content |title=Terms and Definitions FRA 2025 Forest Resources Assessment, Working Paper 194 |publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |year=2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020, Argentina |url=https://fra-data.fao.org/assessments/fra/2020/ARG/home/overview |website=Food Agriculture Organization of the United Nations}}</ref>

==Regions==
{{Further|Regions of Argentina}}
[[File:Regiones geograficas arg.png|thumb|250px|[[Regions of Argentina]]: {{legend|#eb1c23|[[Argentine Northwest|Northwest]]}}{{legend|#21b04a|[[Gran Chaco|Chaco Region]]}}{{legend|#d1ba5e|[[Mesopotamia, Argentina|Mesopotamia]]}}{{legend|#fcc50f|[[Cuyo, Argentina|Cuyo]]}}{{legend|#fcaec8|[[Sierras pampeanas]]}}{{legend|#b5e31e|[[Pampas]]}}{{legend|#b87856|[[Semi-arid Pampas|Dry Pampas]]}}{{legend|#ede2af|[[Argentine Patagonia|Patagonia]]}}{{legend|#d1d1d1|[[Argentine Antarctica|Antarctica]] islands}}.]]

The [[Cuyo, Argentina|Cuyo]] region is located in the middle-west of the country. It comprises the west of Catamarca and La Rioja, most of San Juan, and the center and north of Mendoza. It limits to the Argentine Northwest to the north, Chile to the west, the Pampas to the east, and the Patagonia to the south. Most of the region is part of the [[Andes]] mountain range. It is divided in the occidental range, whose mountains are largely uniform, and the oriental range, with more varied geographic features. The [[snow line]] is located at 5000 m. of altitude. There is a corridor between mountains with rivers and lakes, irrigated by the snow that melts during summer. Most of those rivers become tributaries of the [[Desaguadero River (Argentina)|Desaguadero River]]. The climate is arid, with few rains and even few clouds. There are few native trees, and most vegetation are bushes adapted to the climate. The fauna includes camelids such as [[guanaco]]s and [[vicuña]]s, and vultures like the [[Andean condor]].<ref>Menutti, pp. 51-53</ref>

The [[Gran Chaco]] region is located in the north of the country. It comprises the provinces of [[Formosa Province|Formosa]], [[Chaco Province|Chaco]], [[Santiago del Estero Province|Santiago del Estero]] and north of Santa Fe. It limits to Bolivia and Paraguay to the north, the Argentine Norwest to the west, the Pampas to the south, and Paraguay and the Mesopotamia to the east. The land is completely flat, which leads to an abundance of swamps and [[vernal pool]]s. The most important rivers are the Paraguay and Parana, and their tributaries Pilcomayo and Bermejo. The climate is subtropical, with a dry season to the west and without it to the east. There are xerophilous forests.<ref>Menutti, pp. 55-57</ref>

The [[Mesopotamia, Argentina|Mesopotamia]] region is located in the east of the country, between the Parana and Uruguay rivers. It comprises the provinces of [[Misiones Province|Misiones]], [[Corrientes Province|Corrientes]], and [[Entre Ríos Province|Entre Ríos]]. It limits to Paraguay and Brazil to the north, Gran Chaco and pampas to the west, Brazil and Uruguay to the east, and the pampas to the south. Most of it is a plain, and the rivers end at the [[Río de la Plata]], making the [[Río de la Plata Basin]].<ref>Menutti, pp. 59-61</ref>

The [[Argentine Northwest]] region comprises the provinces of [[Jujuy Province|Jujuy]], [[Salta Province|Salta]], [[Tucumán Province|Tucumán]], [[Catamarca Province|Catamarca]], and [[La Rioja Province, Argentina|La Rioja]]. It limits to Bolivia to the north, Chile to the west, Cuyo to the south and the Gran Chaco to the east. The region is divided into three subregions, the Puna to the west, valleys in the middle, and hills to the east. The Puna is a high treeless plateau, which continues to the west into the [[Atacama Desert]] in Chile. It has characteristic [[Salt pan (geology)|salt pans]]. There is very little water in that area, mostly in temporary streams. The hills and valleys are wetter, with the rain that comes from the east, and includes rivers such as the [[Salado River (Argentina)|Salado]] and [[Bermejo River|Bermejo]]. Climate is arid in the Puna and subtropical in the east.<ref>Menutti, pp. 63-65</ref>

Argentina's provinces are divided in seven zones regarding climate and terrain. From North to South, West to East:
* [[Argentine Northwest]]: [[Jujuy Province|Jujuy]], [[Salta Province|Salta]], [[Tucumán Province|Tucumán]], [[Catamarca Province|Catamarca]], [[La Rioja Province, Argentina|La Rioja]]
* [[Gran Chaco]]: [[Formosa Province|Formosa]], [[Chaco Province|Chaco]], [[Santiago del Estero Province|Santiago del Estero]]
* [[Mesopotamia, Argentina|Mesopotamia]]: [[Misiones Province|Misiones]], [[Corrientes Province|Corrientes]], [[Entre Ríos Province|Entre Ríos]]
* [[Cuyo, Argentina|Cuyo]]: [[San Juan Province, Argentina|San Juan]], [[Mendoza Province|Mendoza]], [[San Luis Province|San Luis]]
* The [[Pampa]]s: [[Santa Fe Province|Santa Fe]], [[La Pampa Province|La Pampa]], [[Buenos Aires Province|Buenos Aires]], [[Córdoba Province, Argentina|Córdoba]]
* [[Patagonia]]: [[Río Negro Province|Rio Negro]], [[Neuquén Province|Neuquén]], [[Chubut Province|Chubut]], [[Santa Cruz Province, Argentina|Santa Cruz]], [[Tierra del Fuego Province, Argentina|Tierra del Fuego]]

===Land use===
* [[Arable land]]: 13.9%
* Permanent crops: 0.4%
* Permanent pastures: 39.6%
* Forest: 10.7%
* Other: 35.4% (2020)
* [[Irrigation|Irrigated land]]: 23,600&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (2020)
* Total renewable water resources: 814&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>/yr

==Mountains and hills==
{{Further|List of mountains in Argentina}}{{Empty section|date=May 2019}}
The [[Andes]] mountain range is the longest mountain range in the world, running along Argentina's border with Chile. The highest peak in the Andes is Aconcagua, almost 7000 meters (almost 23000 feet) above sea level. Argentina is also famous for its glaciers. Cerro Cathedral is a famous ski resort in the Patagonian mountains at [[Nahuel Huapí National Park]]. The Cordillera de la Ramada is a range in San Juan, Argentina. Monte Fitz Roy is another famous mountain.

== Water resources ==
{{Further|Water resources management in Argentina}}

In Argentina, the fluvial net is integrated by many systems of different economic relevance, which could be measured by their amount of flow and navigability. Water flow relevance is based on its potential to be used for irrigation and as a source of energy. Depending on where the water streams drain, rivers and creeks could be classified into three different kinds of watersheds:
* Open or [[exorheic]] watersheds: they have exterior drainage (into the sea) - Parana River, Uruguay River, Negro River
* Closed or [[Endorheic basin|endorheic]] watersheds: they have interior drainage - Atuel River, Diamante River, Tunuyan River
* Areic watersheds: they lack of drainage and could be found in the center-west of the chaquenean plain, on the west of the pampean region and in some patagonic areas

On the other hand, lakes and lagoons are permanent accumulations of water over impervious depressions. Their difference is mainly based on their extension and depth. They are very important for stream regulation, as a source of energy, tourist attraction and its ichthyologic wealth. In Argentina, all major lakes are in Patagonia.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Carlevari and Carlevari |title= |year=2007}}</ref>

===Rivers===
{{Further|List of rivers of Argentina}}
[[File:Confluence_of_the_Iguazu_and_Parana_rivers,_Puerto_Iguazu,_Misiones,_Argentina,_6th._Jan._2011_-_Flickr_-_PhillipC.jpg|thumb|Confluence of the [[Iguazu River|Iguazu]] and [[Parana River|Parana]] rivers.]]

Major [[List of rivers of Argentina|rivers in Argentina]] include the [[Pilcomayo River|Pilcomayo]], [[Paraguay River|Paraguay]], [[Bermejo River|Bermejo]], [[Colorado River (Argentina)|Colorado]], [[Río Negro (Argentina)|Río Negro]], [[Salado River, Argentina|Salado]], [[Uruguay River|Uruguay]] and the largest river, the [[Paraná River|Paraná]]. The latter two flow together before meeting the [[Atlantic Ocean]], forming the estuary of the [[Río de la Plata]]. Regionally important rivers are the [[Atuel River|Atuel]] and [[Mendoza River|Mendoza]] in the [[Mendoza Province|homonymous province]], the [[Chubut River|Chubut]] [[in Patagonia]], the Río Grande in Jujuy, and the San Francisco River in Salta.

===Lakes===
{{Further|List of lakes of Argentina}}

There are several large lakes in Argentina, many of them in Patagonia. Among these are lakes [[Lake Argentino|Argentino]] and [[Lake Viedma|Viedma]] in Santa Cruz, [[Nahuel Huapi Lake|Nahuel Huapi]] in [[Río Negro Province|Río Negro]] and [[Fagnano Lake|Fagnano]] in [[Tierra del Fuego]], and [[Lake Colhué Huapi|Colhué Huapi]] and [[Lake Musters|Musters]] in Chubut. [[Buenos Aires/General Carrera Lake|Lake Buenos Aires]] and [[O'Higgins/San Martín Lake]] are shared with Chile. [[Mar Chiquita (Córdoba)|Mar Chiquita]], Córdoba, is the largest saltwater lake in the country. There are numerous reservoirs created by dams. Argentina features various hot springs, such as those at [[Termas de Río Hondo]] with temperatures between 30&nbsp;°C and 65&nbsp;°C.

A recent global remote sensing analysis suggested that there were 3,091&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> of tidal flats in Argentina, making it the ninth ranked country in terms of how much tidal flat occurs there.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Murray |first1=N.J. |last2=Phinn |first2=S.R. |last3=DeWitt |first3=M. |last4=Ferrari |first4=R. |last5=Johnston |first5=R. |last6=Lyons |first6=M.B. |last7=Clinton |first7=N. |last8=Thau |first8=D. |last9=Fuller |first9=R.A. |title=The global distribution and trajectory of tidal flats |journal=Nature |date=2019 |volume=565 |issue=7738 |pages=222–225 |doi=10.1038/s41586-018-0805-8 |pmid=30568300 |s2cid=56481043 |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-018-0805-8|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

==Climate==
{{main|Climate of Argentina|Climatic regions of Argentina}}
[[File:Bodega chakana nieve y camino.jpg|thumb|Chakana Winery Plantation in [[Luján de Cuyo]], [[Mendoza Province|Mendoza]].]]

Argentina is subject to a variety of climates. The north of the country, including [[latitude]]s in and below the [[Tropic of Capricorn]], is characterized by very hot, wet summers (which result in a number of swamp lands) with mild drier winters, and is subject to periodic droughts during the winter season.

Central Argentina has hot summers with [[tornadoes]] and thunderstorms (in western Argentina producing some of the world's largest [[hail]]), and cool winters. The southern regions have warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall, especially in mountainous zones. Higher elevations at all latitudes experience cooler conditions.

==Political geography==
{{Further|Foreign relations of Argentina}}

Argentina borders six countries with one, near the Falkland Islands, being a maritime border with the United Kingdom. Its largest and the world's [[Argentina–Chile border|second largest international land border]] is with Chile, which is {{convert|5308|km|abbr=on}} long. The [[Argentina–Paraguay border]] is {{convert|1699|km|abbr=on}} long.<ref name="indec.gob.ar"/><ref name="Limites"/>

Strategic importance:
* Location relative to sea lanes between South Atlantic and South Pacific Oceans ([[Strait of Magellan]], [[Beagle Channel]], [[Drake Passage]])

===Territorial claims===
* Land claims
** [[Falkland Islands sovereignty dispute|Falkland Islands]]
** [[South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands sovereignty dispute|South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands]]
** [[Argentine Antarctica]]
**[[Desert Lake (Argentina)|Desert Lake]]
* Maritime claims on [[Argentine Sea]]
** Territorial sea: {{convert|12|nmi|km mi|1|abbr=on}}
** Contiguous zone: {{convert|24|nmi|km mi|1|abbr=on|lk=in}}
** [[Exclusive economic zone]]: {{convert|1,159,063|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}
** Continental shelf: {{convert|200|nmi|km mi|1|abbr=on}} or to the edge of the continental margin
** Elevation: {{convert|595|m|km mi|abbr=on}}

==National parks==
{{Main|List of national parks of Argentina}}

The National Parks of Argentina make up a network of thirty [[national park]]s in Argentina. The parks cover a very varied set of terrains and [[biotope]]s, from [[Baritú National Park]] on the northern border with [[Bolivia]] to [[Tierra del Fuego National Park]] in the far south of the continent (see [[List of national parks of Argentina]]).

The creation of the National Parks dates back to the 1903 donation of 73 square kilometers of land in the Lake District in the [[Andes]] foothills by [[Francisco Moreno]]. This formed the nucleus of a larger protected area in [[Patagonia]] around [[San Carlos de Bariloche]]. In 1934, a law was passed creating the National Parks system, formalizing the protected area as the [[Nahuel Huapi National Park]] and creating the [[Iguazú National Park]]. The National Park Police Force was born, enforcing the new laws preventing tree-felling and hunting. Their early task was largely to establish national sovereignty over these disputed areas and to protect borders.

Five further national parks were declared in 1937 in Patagonia and the service planned new towns and facilities to promote tourism and education. Six more were declared by 1970.

In 1970 a new law established new categories of protection, so that there now were National Parks, National Monuments, Educational Reserves and Natural Reserves. Three national parks were declared in the 1970s. In 1980, another new law affirmed the status of national parks - this law is still in place. The 1980s saw the service reaching out to local communities and local government to help in the running and development of the national parks. Ten more national parks were created with local co-operation, sometimes at local instigation. In 2000, [[Mburucuyá National Park|Mburucuyá]] and [[Copo National Park]]s were declared, and [[El Leoncito National Park|El Leoncito]] natural reserve was upgraded to a national park.

The headquarters of the National Park Service are in downtown [[Buenos Aires]], on Santa Fe Avenue. A library and information center are open to the public. The administration also covers the national monuments, such as the Petrified Forest, and natural and educational reserves.

<gallery mode="packed">
File:Los_Cardones_National_Park_04.jpg|[[Los Cardones National Park]]
File:River by a mountain glacier (Unsplash).jpg|[[Los Glaciares National Park]]
File:Poeira_de_água_nas_Cataratas_do_Iguaçu.jpg|[[Iguazú National Park]]
File:Escalonadas_Lakes.jpg|[[Tierra del Fuego National Park]]
File:Bariloche view.jpg|[[Nahuel Huapi National Park]]
File:Talampaya_NP.jpg|[[Talampaya National Park]]
File:Parque_Nacional_Lihué_Calel.jpg|[[Lihué Calel National Park]]
File:Enredaderas_sobre_los_troncos_secos,_Bañado_de_la_Estrella,_Formosa,_Argentina_-_panoramio.jpg|[[Río Pilcomayo National Park]]
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[List of islands of Argentina]]
* [[List of volcanoes in Argentina]]
* [[Protected areas of Argentina]]
* {{wikiatlas|Argentina}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{CIA World Factbook}}
* {{StateDept}}
* [http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/americas/argentina_rel96.jpg UT Perry–Castañeda Map - Argentina Map] Website Map
* Carlevari I. y R. Carlevari. 2007. La Argentina. Geografía económica y humana.14° edición. Alfaomega grupo editor. 543 pp.
* {{cite book |last= Menutti|first= Adela|date= 1980|title= Geografía Argentina y Universal|trans-title= Argentine and universal geography|url= |language= |location= |publisher= Edil|isbn=}}

{{Geography of Argentina}}
{{Argentina topics}}
{{Geography of South America}}

[[Category:Geography of Argentina| ]]