Argentina

Abstract

Argentina covers an area of 3 million square kilometers, with almost one third of the population living in the capital district of Buenos Aires and the greater Buenos Aires area (the neighborhoods surrounding the capital district). Like other Latin American countries, Argentina is populated by a mixture of different ethnic cultures; however, unlike other Latin American countries, most Argentinians are of central and west European descent. People older than age 50 are mainly European immigrants or first- or second-generation Europeans. The mestizos—a fusion of Europeans and native Argentinians—are the second largest ethnic group, followed by the natives, most of whom live in the central and north part of the country. Argentinian aborigines have been largely eradicated, consisting of a small community confined to special reserves. Volga German descendants are grouped in large colonies in the central and eastern regions of the country.