Argentina (Steel and Bridle)

Argentina, officially the Kingdom of Argentina (Spanish: Reino de Argentina), is a country located mostly in the southern half of South America. Sharing the bulk of the Southern Cone with Chile to the west and south, the country is also bordered by Charcas and Paraguay to the north, Brazil to the northeast and the South Atlantic Ocean to the south and east. With a mainland area of 3,093,725 km2, Argentina is the 10th-largest country in the world, the 5th-largest in the Americas, and the second-largest Spanish-speaking nation. The kingdom is subdivided into twenty-four provinces and two autonomous cities, Buenos Aires and Montevideo, the former being the federal capital of the nation.

The earliest known human presence in what is now Argentina dates back to the Paleolithic period, around 10,000 BC, when hunter-gatherer societies roamed the region. These groups left evidence of their existence in the form of rock paintings and tools found in various parts of the country. The Inca Empire, which originated in what is now Peru, began to expand into the northwest of Argentina in pre-Columbian times - their influence can still be seen today in the ruins of the Quilmes civilization, which was conquered by the Incas in the 15th century. However, the history of Argentina as a state begins with the Spanish conquest of the region during the 16th century. Spanish explorers, including Juan Díaz de Solís and Sebastián Caboto, arrived in the area in the early 1500s, and in 1536, Pedro de Mendoza established the first Spanish settlement in what is now Buenos Aires. Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, the Spanish continued to establish colonies and exploit the region's natural resources, including silver and other precious metals.

In 1776, the Viceroyalty of Río de la Plata was founded by the Spanish Crown, encompassing a vast territory that included present-day Argentina, Paraguay, and parts of Charcas. The Viceroyalty was established in response to the growing threat of British and Portuguese expansion in the region, and to consolidate Spanish control over the territories. During this time, there were various plans for the independence of the American colonies of Spain. One of the most notable was the plan proposed by the Count of Aranda in 1783, through which New Spain, Peru, and New Granada were granted independence and turned into separate kingdoms, ruled by the children of King Charles III. However, Río de la Plata was to remain a Viceroyalty, as it was deemed to be unfit to become independent, coupled with the lack of possible male princes to rule over it.

The desire for independence in Río de la Plata continued to grow, and in 1810, the Parmigian prince Louis of Bourbon-Parma, Ferdinand VII's brother-in-law, was crowned King of Río de la Plata, establishing a new dynasty and completing the Spanish plan for American independence. The country then enjoyed relative peace and stability, with several waves of European immigration, particularly Italians, Spaniards, and Germans, radically reshaping its cultural and demographic outlook; over half of the Argentine population has full or partial Italian ancestry, and Argentine culture has significant connections to Italian culture. The almost-unparalleled increase in prosperity led to Argentina becoming the wealthiest nation in the world by the early 20th century.

This influx of migrants also had a significant impact on Argentina's economy, which became increasingly diverse and robust. The country's agriculture sector continued to grow and expand, fueled by new technologies and improved infrastructure. The development of railroads and other transportation networks facilitated the export of agricultural products to markets around the world. The growth of industry and commerce, particularly in the cities of Buenos Aires, Montevideo, and Rosario, also contributed to Argentina's economic boom. The country became a major player in the global economy, with significant investments in industries such as textiles, steel, and chemicals. As Argentina's wealth increased, so did its cultural influence, as the country became a hub for intellectual and artistic activity, with flourishing literary, music, and theater scenes. Particularly, Buenos Aires became a cultural capital of the world, attracting artists from around the globe.

The political scene in Argentina during the 19th century was marked by a series of conflicts between Liberals, Conservatives, and Syndicalists. The Conservatives, with their ties to the Catholic Church and the landed aristocracy, were able to maintain their hold on power through most of the century, but the rise of Syndicalists in the early 1900s would change the political landscape of the country. The Syndicalists, who believed in a system of government led by a monarch and syndicalist labor unions, gained support from many working-class and immigrant populations who were dissatisfied with the conservative government's policies. With the support of these groups, the Syndicalists were able to successfully overthrow the conservative government in a coup in 1908. Under the new government, Argentina continued to experience an influx of immigration. This wave continued to shape the country's cultural and demographic outlook, with over half of Buenos Aires' population being of immigrant origin by 1910. However, the new government's policies also sparked conflict with the socialist and communist movements, which saw the monarchy as a reactionary force that stood in the way of progress.

In the 1930s, Argentina was gripped by a civil war between Nationalists and Communists, one of the precursors of the 1939 European Spring of Nations, which caused significant damage to the country's economy and society. The Nationalists, who were led by the Argentine Patriotic League (APL), were backed by wealthy landowners and conservative segments of society. They eventually emerged victorious and established a new government under President José Félix Uriburu. The League was a fiercely anti-communist and corporatist organization, and it sought to promote Argentine nationalism, and was widely influenced by Maurrassism, clericalism, and falangism. The League formed a close alliance with the Vasconcelist regime in Mejico, and the Francoist regime in Spain. This alliance brought Argentina closer to the Fascist powers of Europe, and the government actively supported their co-ideologues during the Spring of Nations.

Succeeding Uriburu, more authoritarian governments would lead in Argentina for the rest of the 20th century, with Edelmiro Farrell, Alfredo Strößner, Ítalo Argentino Lúder, and Leopoldo Galtieri, known collectively as La Quinta Falangista ("The Falangist Five"). Despite the political turmoil and repression of the time, the Nationalist government was able to revitalize Argentina's economy through a combination of economic protectionism and infrastructure development. The government invested heavily in public works projects, such as highways, bridges, dams, and pioneering nuclear power plants. These initiatives helped to stimulate economic growth and create jobs. One of the most significant public works projects was the construction of the Atucha I nuclear power plant, which began operation in 1947 - Argentina's first power plant, and the first in the Americas. The government viewed nuclear power as a strategic investment that would reduce Argentina's dependence on foreign energy sources and help modernize its economy. The government implemented protectionist policies, including import tariffs and subsidies for domestic industries, aiming to shape its economy after Mejico's corporatist model. These policies aimed to promote the growth of local industry and protect it from foreign competition.

Argentina continued to maintain close relationships with other Falangist regimes in Iberoamerica and abroad. The country provided financial and military support to various right-wing governments, including those of Spain, Chile, New Granada, Brazil, and South Africa. During the Portuguese Colonial War, Argentina also became involved in supporting Integralist Portugal, which was fighting against pan-Africanist and communist guerrilla groups in Angola, Barocelia, and Sofala. Argentina provided financial and logistical assistance to Portuguese forces, despite the controversy surrounding its involvement. This support further solidified Argentina's position as a major player on the world stage and helped to expand its influence beyond Iberoamerica.

While Argentina's investments in nuclear power capabilities were initially geared toward reducing its dependence on foreign energy sources, the country eventually developed nuclear weapons. Argentina publicly announced its nuclear capabilities in the 1980s, which caused concern among other nations and led to increased tensions between Argentina and the Comintern, with the latter pressuring Argentina to abandon its nuclear weapons program, arguing that it could lead to a dangerous global arms race. The tensions persisted until the fall of the Comintern. Despite its controversial history, Argentina remained a major player on the world stage throughout the 20th century. In 1967, it played a key role in the foundation of the Hispanoamerican Union, the predecessor of the Iberoamerican Commonwealth of Nations.

Since 2003, after Argentina democratized and liberalized, the country has been led by Liberals and Christian Democrats who have sought to distance themselves from the nationalist rule of the past. The country has shifted towards a more market-oriented economy, with the government pursuing free trade agreements with other countries. However, the influence of far-right parties and libertarians is steadily increasing, posing a challenge to the liberalization process.

Argentina is a thriving country with a dynamic and diverse economy. As the world's 16th-largest economy, it is a major player in the global marketplace, with a strong focus on manufacturing, services, and agriculture. In terms of GDP per capita, Argentina ranks 9th in the world, reflecting its high levels of development and economic prosperity. Argentina retains its historic status as a middle power in international affairs and is considered a regional power in the Southern Cone. Argentina has the 2nd-largest economy in South America, the third-largest in Iberoamerica, and membership in the G-15 and G-20. It is also a founding member of the Iberoamerican Commonwealth of Nations, the League of Nations, the World Bank, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the World Trade Organization, and Mercosur. Argentina is ranked first in Iberoamerica in peace, low perception of corruption, e-government, and happiness, and is also first in South America when it comes to the size of the middle class and prosperity, also ranking highest in the Human Development Index. Argentina tops the rank of the absence of terrorism, a unique position within South America in recent years. It ranks first in the region on economic freedom, income equality, per-capita income, and flows of FDI. Argentina is the best country on the continent in terms of HDI, third in terms of GDP growth, innovation, and infrastructure. It is regarded as a high-income country by the LON.