COUNTRY #7: ARGENTINA

The Argentinian flag is light blue and white, with the Sun of May, representing the Inca sun god Inti. Their revolution occurred in May of 1810. There are 16 straight and 16 waved arms, something having to do with their first coin valued at eight Argentinian escudos to the Spanish dollar. The flag of Uruguay uses a similar sun. The white stands for peace and honor, while the light blue for vigilance, truth, loyalty, perseverance and justice. Another meaning has the blue for the Rio de la Plata (River of Silver), the widest river in the world.

Early settlers can be traced back to 11,000 BC in Patagonia. The Spanish came in 1516, and independence was attained in 1816. Argentina is the second largest country in South American (next to Brazil), about 30% that of the USA, and has 41 million people. It has the second highest Human Development Index (#46 to #40 Chile) on the continent.

Life expectancy is 76.6, Spanish is the official language, and the GDP/capita is $14,200. The chief of state is President Cristina Kirchner. A severe depression discombobulated the economy and politics from 2001.

Argentina is an oil exporter and the Argentine peso is relatively stable in the range of 3 / U.S. Dollar. I don’t know why I keep reporting number of airports, but this country has 1,150 of them.

There was that 1982 Falkland War with the UK, but , otherwise, there is now relative peace. Of course Argentina is famous for tango, beef and Malbec wine. Check into growing some yourself.
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The Dow Jones Industrials dropped 130 to 8292 and all world markets declined. Gold is surging: up $15/toz to $953. Oil dropped a buck to $61/barrel.
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