No, Argentina is not named after a person and neither is it a part of the USA.Argentina is a huge country in the southern hemisphere (southern part of the world) of South America. It is the eighth-largest country on the planet, the second-largest country in South America after Brazil, and nearly one-third the size of the United States.Argentina is bordered on the west by Chile and the Andes Mountains’ regions. The Pampas region, a flat, lush grassland to the east of the Andes, makes up the country’s heartland. The Atlantic Ocean (ocean east of Argentina) forms the country’s eastern boundary; it is the ocean to the east. The Andes Cordillera, a steep mountain spine in the Andes, forms a natural 3,195 mi (5,141.9 km) boundary with the Chilean border.The country is divided into four regions: the Andes, the North, the Pampas, and the Patagonian ice cap. The Pampas is the heartland of agriculture of central Argentina. Read on for some interesting facts related to the geography of Central Argentina and Southern Argentina. Afterward, also check facts on the tallest mountain in America and tallest peak in Washington.Geography Of ArgentinaArgentina is the second-largest country in South America (and the South American content) by land area and population, behind Brazil. Between the Andes Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, it takes up the majority of the continent’s southern area.The highest mountain of the Andes range in Argentina is the Cerro Aconcagua, which has a height of 6,960 m (22,384 ft).Argentina covers 2,300 mi (3,680 km) from 22°S to 55°S latitude and is generally shaped like an inverted triangle with a base of 1,000 mi (1,600 km) broad that tapers southward.Argentina is nearly one-third the size of the United States, with a land area of 1,072,067 sq mi (2,776,640 sq km). In terms of climate, size, and geography, Argentina is similar to the region of the United States between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains, however, the North American region has harsher winters.The humid lowlands of the eastern part of Argentina, particularly along the Río de la Plata system’s tributaries, are reminiscent of the Mississippi Valley. The savannas and wetlands of the Chaco area in northern Argentina have a coastal Louisiana counterpart.The humid pampa (plain) gives way to rangeland, then desert, punctuated only by irrigated oases, much like the Great Plains of the United States do as they move west. Although the Andes are significantly more majestic than the Rockies, both mountain ranges represent the western end of the plains.Argentina’s provinces have great vegetation diversity. The huge Pampa region, which stretches 500 mi (800 km) from the capital city Buenos Aires located on the Río de la Plata, stands in stark contrast to such agriculturally deficient places.The Pampa area, the largest flat grassland in South America, comprises nearly one-quarter of the country, and its richness is credited with transforming Argentina into a rising star country at the turn of the twentieth century. The Pampa, which has some of the world’s best topsoil, is heavily planted in wheat and corn and offers year-round pasture for the majority of Argentina’s 50 million cattle. It is near the Pacific Ocean.Did you know about famous headlands in Chile, known as Cape Horn! There is a famous tributary in South America which is called Negro River. The Atacama Plateau (or Puna de Atacama) is a large and arid plateau in the country.The Gran Chaco region is very famous here which means hunting land. The Glacier National Park also happens to be a very famous cultural reserve in the region.The Andes range from the dry north to the glaciated and ice-covered mountains of Patagonia region. Its path encompasses the irrigated valleys on the eastern slopes and foothills of the Andes, as well as the arid highlands and desert west of Cordoba and south of Tucuman.Water Bodies Near ArgentinaThe terrain of Argentina is marked by a varied landscape such as rivers, mountains, and lakes. The total land area of Argentina is around 1.01 million sq mi (2.7 million sq km) which makes it the second-largest country in Latin America and fourth largest in the Americas. There are numerous national parks present within the country which attract travelers from across the world all along the yearLargest LakeIn terms of area and volume, the largest lake in Argentina is Lake Argentino. The total surface area of the lake is 546 sq mi (1,415 sq km), with a water volume of 52.8 cu mi (220 cu km). This lake is located in the Los Glaciares National Park which is located along the Andes Mountains in the Santa Cruz province. This lake owes its average depth of 495 ft (150 m) to the various major rivers that end up in the lake. The meltwater from the two glaciers located along the lake also contributes significantly to the water levels in the lake. You may also see huge ice pieces floating around in the lake because of these two glaciers.WaterfallsWithout a doubt, the highlight of the South American continent is the breathtaking Iguazu Falls, fed by the Iguazú River. These falls act as the border between Argentina and Brazil and can be accessed from both the countries. They are almost 4x taller than the Niagra Falls. The Iguazu Waterfalls are located within the Iguazu National Park. The height of the falls varies between 198 ft (60 m) and 269 ft (82 m). During the rainy season, the water flow is at its highest, making for a great spectacle.Estuary of WildlifeTrue to its name, this estuary is home to a diverse range of marine species and also supports various other species of land animals. The mixing of saltwater and freshwater here offers habitats for sea turtles and dolphins. A wide variety of fishes are also found here, leading to an increasing number of anglers visiting here all around the year. The access to the estuary is available through the entry point at Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina. This estuary spans across Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia.Argentine Sea: Location, Depth & FeaturesThe Argentine Sea is the largest sea that is present along the Atlantic coast of the South American country. Though the lake is not popular globally, it holds great symbolic importance for the country and has been acting as the unifying force behind the people of the country.The Argentine Sea is located in the Southern Atlantic Ocean and is one of the biggest water bodies in this part of the world. The surface area of the sea is pegged at around 390,000 sq mi (1,000,000 sq km) and the average depth has been measured at 3,953 ft (1,205 m). As per experts, the salinity level of the waters of the sea is around 3.5%. The span of the Argentine Sea enhances as you move southwards. The continental shelf present along this massive water body features the Falkland Islands as well. The Paraguay River runs for around 1,594 mi (2,550 km) creates the natural border between Argentina and Paraguay.Features of the Seacoast and the Undersea:Argentina’s Atlantic Ocean coast runs east to west.Inlets and Straits in the Sea:Argentina’s Atlantic coast is lined with gulfs, bays, and inlets stretching from northeast to southwest. Buenos Aires is located in Samborombón Bay, which begins in the north and finishes in the south. At the city of Bahia Blanca, the coast abruptly swings southward, forming Blanca Bay. To the south are the San Matas and San Jorge Gulfs. The Magellan Strait separates the mainland from Tierra del Fuego, Argentina’s southernmost point.Archipelagos and Islands:Argentina and Chile share the offshore island region of Tierra del Fuego. Tierra del Fuego was once buried under water.The Tierra del Fuego is the southernmost point of Argentina. The land progressively raised and mountains arose as the South American and Scotia Tectonic Plates met. By the Ice Age, the majority of what is today the Patagonian continental shelf had become land. Around 9,000 years ago, the waves of the Strait of Magellan burst through the continent’s tip. Argentina also owns the Isla de Los Estados, which is separated from the southern point of Tierra del Fuego by the Strait of Le Maire.Coastal Features:The Valdés Peninsula (Peninsula Valdés) forms the southern rim of the San Matias Gulf, nearly halfway down the country’s Atlantic coast, featuring miles of beaches and steep cliffs. The peninsula’s protected lagoons are home to enormous colonies of marine animals, including penguins and the southern elephant seal, which mate. The region also contains one of the world’s greatest populations of Atlantic Right Whales (Eubalaena glacialis).Is Argentina Near The Pacific OceanYes, Argentina has direct access to the Pacific Ocean via the Magellan Strait! The southern end of Argentina touches both the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic OceanArgentina shares its borders in the west with Chile, towards the north with Bolivia and Paraguay, towards the East with Brazil, Uruguay, and the Atlantic Ocean with the Drake Passage to the south.The longest river in the country is the Parana River which has a length of 2,937 mi (4,700 km).Geography Of Argentina Is Explored In More Detail!The Second-largest country in South America has a strategic location relative to sea lanes connecting the South Atlantic and South Pacific Ocean(s) (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage) along with diverse geophysical landscapes ranging from tropical climates in the north to tundra in the far south. The subtropical north is a region that is extremely hot and humid.Climate: the huge Pampa area in South America, which stretches 500 mi (800 km) from Buenos Aires, receives 20 in (50 cm) of rain on average each year in the west and 40 in (100 cm) in the east. Did you know, Greater Buenos Aires is the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area? The South Georgia islands are very famously situated in the Atlantic Ocean.The Andes range from the dry north to the glaciated and ice-covered mountains of Patagonia. Its path encompasses the irrigated valleys on the eastern part of the slopes and foothills of the Andes, as well as the arid highlands and desert west of Cordoba and south of Tucuman. The drier parts receive 4-24 in (10-60 cm) of annual precipitation, while the wettest sections receive 20-120 in (50-300 cm) in South America.The tallest mountain in the western hemisphere is the Aconcagua which is located in the southern part of Argentina. It measures an impressive 22,971 ft (6,961 m).Patagonia extends for over 1,200 mi (2,000 km) spanning across Rio Colorado in the north to Cape Horn at the southernmost tip of the continent. This is poor, dispersed pastureland, with the exception of a few irrigated valleys. The weather in the deep south is constantly chilly and windy; there is no summer, and the winters may be terrible.The humidity level is high all year (the yearly mean is 76%). Winters appear colder and summers appear hotter when there is a lot of humidity. Throughout the year, abrupt temperature fluctuations occur, providing relief from the heat of summer and the cold of winter in the region of South America.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for facts about ocean east of Argentina: here’s what you need to know then why not take a look at deep diving into the astounding Atlantic Ocean food chain, or William Golding facts: learn about the absolutely amazing author.
No, Argentina is not named after a person and neither is it a part of the USA.