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Map of Argentina

Argentina is a country in South America with its capital at Buenos Aires, home to about 45.85 million people across 2.78M km². The interactive map below plots 158 cities and towns, 23 rivers, 14 lakes, 10 mountain summits, 1 major dams and 23 ports recorded for Argentina in YearMaps.

Population
45.85 million
#35 of 225 · World Bank, 2025
Area
2.78M km²
#9 by area
Capital
Buenos Aires
Continent
South America
16 people per km²

Interactive Map of Argentina

3.6

Centred on Buenos Aires at 34.6006° S, 58.3995° W. Use the layer panel to switch on rivers, dams, ports, peaks and historical borders.

About Argentina

Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic, is a country in the far south of South America. It covers an area of 2,780,085 km2 (1,073,397 mi2), making it the second-largest country in South America after Brazil, the fourth-largest country in the Americas, and the eighth-largest country in the world. Argentina shares the bulk of the Southern Cone with Chile to the west, and is also bordered by Bolivia and Paraguay to the north, Brazil to the northeast, Uruguay and the South Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Drake Passage to the south. Argentina is a federal state divided into twenty-three provinces, and one autonomous city, which is the federal capital and largest city of the nation, Buenos Aires. The provinces and the capital have their own constitutions, but exist under a federal system. Argentina claims sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, and a part of Antarctica.

The earliest recorded human presence in modern-day Argentina dates back to the Paleolithic period. The Inca Empire expanded to the northwest of the country in pre-Columbian times. The modern country has its roots in Spanish colonisation of the region during the 16th century. Argentina rose as the successor state of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata, a Spanish overseas viceroyalty founded in 1776. The Argentine Declaration of Independence on July 9 of 1816 and the Argentine War of Independence (1810–1825) were followed by an extended civil war that lasted until 1880, culminating in the country's reorganisation as a federation. The then sparsely populated country thereafter enjoyed relative peace and stability, with several subsequent mass waves of millions of European immigrants (mainly Italians and Spaniards) significantly influencing its culture and demography.

The National Autonomist Party dominated national politics in the period called the Conservative Republic, from 1880 until the 1916 elections. The Great Depression led to the first coup d'état in 1930 led by José Félix Uriburu, beginning the so-called "Infamous Decade" (1930–1943). After that coup, four more followed in 1943, 1955, 1962, and 1966. Following the death of President Juan Perón in 1974, his widow and vice president, Isabel Perón, ascended to the presidency, before being overthrown in the final coup in 1976.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia: Argentina (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Argentina
Image via Wikimedia Commons.

Geography and Climate of Argentina

In 1816, the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata declared their independence from Spain. After Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay went their separate ways, the area that remained became Argentina. European immigrants heavily shaped the country's population and culture, with Italy and Spain providing the largest percentage of newcomers from 1860 to 1930. Until about the mid-20th century, much of Argentina's history was dominated by periods of internal political unrest and conflict between civilian and military factions. After World War II, former President Juan Domingo PERÓN -- the founder of the Peronist political movement -- introduced an era of populism, serving three non-consecutive terms in office until his death in 1974. Direct and indirect military interference in government throughout the PERÓN years led to a military junta taking power in 1976. In 1982, the junta failed in its bid to seize the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) by force from the United Kingdom. Democracy was reinstated in 1983 and has persisted despite numerous challenges, the most formidable of which was a severe economic crisis in 2001-02 that led to violent public protests and the successive resignations of several presidents. The years 2003-15 saw Peronist rule by Néstor KIRCHNER (2003-07) and his spouse Cristina FERNÁNDEZ DE KIRCHNER (2007-15), who oversaw several years of strong economic growth (2003-11) followed by a gradual deterioration in the government’s fiscal situation and eventual economic stagnation and isolation. Argentina underwent a brief period of economic reform and international reintegration under Mauricio MACRI (2015-19), but a recession in 2018-19 and frustration with MACRI’s economic policies ushered in a new Peronist government in 2019 led by President Alberto FERNÁNDEZ and Vice President Cristina FERNÁNDEZ DE KIRCHNER. Argentina's high public debts, its pandemic-related inflationary pressures, and systemic monetary woes served as the catalyst for the 2023 elections, culminating with President Javier MILEI's electoral success. Argentina has since eliminated half of its government agencies and is seeking shock therapy to amend taxation and monetary policies.

Location
Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Chile and Uruguay.
Climate
Mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest.
Terrain
Rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border.
Highest point
Cerro Aconcagua (located in the northwestern corner of the province of Mendoza; highest point in South America) 6,962 m.
Lowest point
Laguna del Carbón (located between Puerto San Julián and Comandante Luis Piedra Buena in the province of Santa Cruz) -105 m.
Coastline
4,989 km.
Land borders
Total: 11,968 km; border countries: Bolivia 942 km; Brazil 1,263 km; Chile 6,691 km; Paraguay 2,531 km; Uruguay 541 km.
Major rivers
Río de la Plata/Paraná river mouth (shared with Brazil [s], Paraguay, and Uruguay) - 4,880 km; Paraguay (shared with Brazil [s], and Paraguay [m]) - 2,549 km; Uruguay (shared with Brazil [s] and Uruguay [m]) - 1,610 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth.
Major lakes
Fresh water lake(s): Lago Buenos Aires (shared with Chile) - 2,240 sq km; Lago Argentino - 1,410 sq km; Lago Viedma - 1,090 sq km; Lago San Martín (shared with Chile) - 1,010 sq km; Lago Colhué Huapi - 800 sq km; Lago Fagnano (shared with Chile) - 590 sq km; Lago Nahuel Huapi - 550 sq km; salt water lake(s): Laguna Mar Chiquita - 1,850 sq km;.
Natural resources
Fertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum, uranium, arable land.
Land use
Agricultural land: 42.4% (2023 est.); arable land: 14.8% (2023 est.); permanent crops: 0.4% (2023 est.); permanent pasture: 27.3% (2023 est.); forest: 17.2% (2023 est.); other: 40.4% (2023 est.)
Natural hazards
San Miguel de Tucumán and Mendoza areas in the Andes subject to earthquakes; pamperos are violent windstorms that can strike the pampas and northeast; heavy flooding in some areas volcanism: volcanic activity in the Andes Mountains along the Chilean border; Copahue (2,997 m) last erupted in 2000; other historically active volcanoes include Llullaillaco, Maipo, Planchón-Peteroa, San José, Tromen, Tupungatito, and Viedma.
Geographic note
Second-largest country in South America (after Brazil); strategic location relative to sea lanes between the South Atlantic and the South Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); diverse geophysical landscapes range from tropical climates in the north to tundra in the far south; Cerro Aconcagua is the Western Hemisphere's tallest mountain, while Laguna del Carbón is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere; shares Iguazú Falls, the world's largest waterfalls system, with Brazil.
Languages
Spanish (official), Italian, English, German, French, indigenous (Quechua, Guarani, Mapudungun)
Religions
Roman Catholic 62.9%, Evangelical 15.3% (Pentecostal 13%, other Evangelical 2.3%), Jehovah's Witness and Church of Jesus Christ 1.4%, other 1.2% (includes Muslim, Jewish), none 18.9% (includes agnostic and atheist), unspecified 0.3% (2019 est.)
Ethnic groups
European (mostly Spanish and Italian descent) and Mestizo (mixed European and Indigenous ancestry) 97.2%, Indigenous 2.4%, African descent 0.4% (2010 est.)
Economy
Large diversified economy; financial risks from debt obligations, rapid inflation, and reduced investor appetites; resource-rich, export-led growth model; increasing trade relations with China; G20 and OAS leader; tendency to nationalize businesses and under-report inflation.

From the CIA World Factbook (public domain), archived edition of 2026-01-22. The Factbook is no longer updated, so figures reflect that edition.

Argentina in Numbers

Population
45.85 million
2025
GDP
US$683.1 billion
2025
GDP per person
US$14,898
2025
Life expectancy
77.5 years
2024
Population growth
0.34% a year
2025
Population density
17 per km²
2024
Urban population
92.3%
2025
Surface area
2,780,400 km²
2024
Forest cover
17.1%
2024
Arable land
17.1%
2024
Access to electricity
98.4%
2024
Internet users
89.7%
2024

Indicators from World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0). The year under each figure is its reference year.

Argentina in Depth

History

Evidence suggests that humans inhabited parts of what is now Argentina as early as 21,000 years ago. In 2015, fossilised bones of a large, extinct armoured mammal called Neosclerocalyptus were unearthed near Buenos Aires. These bones bore cut marks indicative of butchering with stone tools, implying human activity during the Last Glacial Maximum. Further south, the Piedra Museo site in Santa Cruz Province has yielded human remains and artifacts dating back approximately 11,000 years. Discoveries at this site include spearheads associated with extinct megafauna such as Mylodon and Hippidion, highlighting the advanced hunting practices of early inhabitants. Another significant site is the Cueva de las Manos (Cave of the Hands), also located in Santa Cruz.

Geography

With a mainland surface area of 2,780,400 km2 (1,073,518 sq mi), Argentina is located in southern South America, sharing land borders with Chile across the Andes to the west; Bolivia and Paraguay to the north; Brazil to the northeast, Uruguay and the South Atlantic Ocean to the east; and the Drake Passage to the south; for an overall land border length of 9,376 km (5,826 mi). Its coastal border over the Río de la Plata and South Atlantic Ocean is 5,117 km (3,180 mi) long.

Argentina's highest point is Aconcagua in the Mendoza province (6,959 m (22,831 ft) above sea level), also the highest point in the Southern and Western Hemispheres.

Economy

Benefiting from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, a diversified industrial base, and an export-oriented agricultural sector, Argentina's economy is Latin America's third-largest, and the second-largest in South America. In 1913, Argentina was one of the wealthiest countries in the world by GDP per capita. It has a "very high" rating on the Human Development Index and ranks 66th by nominal GDP per capita, with a considerable internal market size and a growing share of the high-tech sector. As a middle emerging economy and one of the world's top developing nations, it is a member of the G-20 major economies.

Demographics

The 2022 census [INDEC] counted 46,044,703 inhabitants, up from 40,117,096 in 2010. The population in 2024 is estimated to have increased to 47,067,441 inhabitants. Argentina ranks third in South America in total population, fourth in Latin America and 33rd globally. Its population density of 15 persons per square kilometre of land area is well below the world average of 50 persons. The population growth rate in 2010 was an estimated 1.03% annually, with a birth rate of 17.7 live births per 1,000 inhabitants and a mortality rate of 7.4 deaths per 1,000 inhabitants. Since 2010, the crude net migration rate has ranged from below zero to up to four immigrants per 1,000 inhabitants per year.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Argentina (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Argentina: Key Facts

Key facts about Argentina
CurrencyArgentine convertible peso
Official languageSpanish
Head of stateJavier Milei
Head of governmentJavier Milei
Form of governmentfederal republic
Calling code+54
Internet domain.ar
Highest pointAconcagua
Lowest pointLaguna del Carbón
Established9 July 1816

Facts from Wikidata Q414 (CC0).

History of Argentina: Empires and States

The atlas records 8 polities whose mapped territory included part of Argentina, from The Inca Empire (Tawantinsuyu) in 1497 CE to 2024 CE. They are listed in the order they first appear.

Polities that held Argentina, in chronological order
PolityPeriod here
The Inca Empire (Tawantinsuyu)1497–1539 CE
The Spanish Empire1540–1823 CE
Río de la Plata1811–1833 CE
Paraguay1811–1867 CE
Federal League1814–1819 CE
Argentine Confederation1834–1929 CE
State of Buenos Aires1853–1860 CE
Argentine Republic1930–2024 CE

Historical Maps of Argentina

Argentina on the world map in each year one of these states held it:

Derived by testing mapped cities against dated territorial polygons. Dates are when the polygons cover this place, not the polity's whole lifespan, and polities absent from the source dataset are not listed.

Visiting Argentina

"AR" redirects here. For the U.S. state, see Arkansas.

Argentina is a large country in the southern part of South America. It offers a great diversity of climates and landscapes from jungles in the north, great grass plains in the center and frozen mountains in the south.

With a history of mass immigration dating from the 1800s - mostly from Europe and other South American countries - Argentina is a "melting pot" of cultures.

Travel notes adapted from Wikivoyage: Argentina (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Largest Cities in Argentina

158 cities recorded. Ranked by metropolitan population. A port city's harbour is written up on the page of its sea.

Largest Cities in Argentina
#NamePopulation
1Buenos Aires12.79 million
2Córdoba1.45 million
3Rosario1.20 million
4Mendoza893,000
5Tucumán830,000
6La Plata694,253
7Mar del Plata555,897
8Salta512,686
9Santa Fe489,505
10San Juan447,048
11San Luis432,310
12Resistencia387,158
13Posadas357,119
14Santiago del Estero354,692
15Corrientes340,823
16San Salvador de Jujuy305,891
17Bahía Blanca281,536
18Paraná262,295
19Neuquén242,092
20Formosa221,383
21Catamarca188,812
22La Rioja162,620
23Río Cuarto153,757
24Concordia145,210
25Comodoro Rivadavia140,850
The other 133 (population, region, role)
  1. San Nicolas · 127,742 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Populated place
  2. San Martín · 117,399 · Mendoza · Populated place
  3. Santa Rosa · 111,424 · La Pampa · Admin-1 capital
  4. San Rafael · 109,163 · Mendoza · Populated place
  5. Tandil · 104,325 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Populated place
  6. San Carlos de Bariloche · 95,394 · Río Negro · Populated place
  7. Trelew · 93,442 · Chubut · Populated place
  8. Villa María · 92,453 · Córdoba · Populated place
  9. Reconquista · 90,184 · Santa Fe · Populated place
  10. Zárate · 88,781 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Populated place
  11. Rafaela · 88,713 · Santa Fe · Populated place
  12. Pergamino · 87,652 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Populated place
  13. Olavarría · 86,320 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Populated place
  14. Río Gallegos · 85,700 · Santa Cruz · Admin-1 capital
  15. Junín · 85,007 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Populated place
  16. Yacuíba · 82,803 · Salta · Populated place
  17. Presidencia Roque Saenz Pena · 81,879 · Chaco · Populated place
  18. Luján · 81,749 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Populated place
  19. Campana · 81,612 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Populated place
  20. Necochea · 80,478 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Populated place
  21. Gualeguaychú · 78,676 · Entre Ríos · Populated place
  22. San Ramón de la Nueva Orán · 74,059 · Salta · Populated place
  23. General Roca · 73,212 · Río Negro · Populated place
  24. Venado Tuerto · 72,340 · Santa Fe · Populated place
  25. Goya · 72,304 · Corrientes · Populated place
  26. Villa Carlos Paz · 69,451 · Córdoba · Populated place
  27. Concepción del Uruguay · 67,895 · Entre Ríos · Populated place
  28. Las Heras · 66,663 · Mendoza · Populated place
  29. Puerto Madryn · 64,555 · Chubut · Populated place
  30. Tartagal · 60,819 · Salta · Populated place
  31. Viedma · 59,122 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Admin-1 capital
  32. San Francisco · 59,062 · Córdoba · Populated place
  33. San Pedro · 58,430 · Jujuy · Populated place
  34. Ushuaia · 58,028 · Tierra del Fuego · Admin-1 capital
  35. Punta Alta · 57,209 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Populated place
  36. General Pico · 57,029 · La Pampa · Populated place
  37. Chivilcoy · 54,514 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Populated place
  38. Azul · 53,941 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Populated place
  39. Río Tercero · 53,389 · Córdoba · Populated place
  40. Mercedes · 52,949 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Populated place
  41. Mercedes · 49,345 · San Luis · Populated place
  42. Libertador General San Martín · 49,267 · Jujuy · Populated place
  43. Cutral Có · 47,814 · Neuquén · Populated place
  44. San Lorenzo · 47,626 · Corrientes · Populated place
  45. Tres Arroyos · 47,136 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Populated place
  46. Villa Constitución · 44,271 · Santa Fe · Populated place
  47. Alta Gracia · 40,384 · Córdoba · Populated place
  48. Bell Ville · 35,105 · Córdoba · Populated place
  49. Nueve de Julio · 34,718 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Populated place
  50. Chacabuco · 34,587 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Populated place
  51. Gualeguay · 33,120 · Entre Ríos · Populated place
  52. Rio Grande · 31,095 · Tierra del Fuego · Populated place
  53. Mercedes · 30,649 · Corrientes · Populated place
  54. Villa Ángela · 30,051 · Chaco · Populated place
  55. Coronel Suárez · 27,000 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Populated place
  56. Rawson · 26,335 · Chubut · Admin-1 capital
  57. Dolores · 25,190 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Populated place
  58. Victoria · 25,139 · Entre Ríos · Populated place
  59. Lincoln · 24,798 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Populated place
  60. Veinticinco de Mayo · 24,668 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Populated place
  61. Tunuyán · 22,834 · Mendoza · Populated place
  62. Chascomús · 21,054 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Populated place
  63. Chilecito · 20,343 · La Rioja · Populated place
  64. Esquel · 20,048 · Chubut · Populated place
  65. General Guemes · 19,828 · Salta · Populated place
  66. Zapala · 19,152 · Neuqutn · Populated place
  67. Balcarce · 18,967 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Populated place
  68. Charata · 18,297 · Chaco · Populated place
  69. Lobos · 18,278 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Populated place
  70. 25 de Mayo · 17,430 · RRo Negro · Populated place
  71. Eldorado · 17,365 · Misiones · Populated place
  72. Añatuya · 14,133 · Santiago del Estero · Populated place
  73. Mar de Ajó · 13,610 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Populated place
  74. Frias · 13,594 · Santiago del Estero · Populated place
  75. Joaquín V. González · 13,376 · Salta · Populated place
  76. Sunchales · 12,655 · Santa Fe · Populated place
  77. Malargüe · 11,847 · Mendoza · Populated place
  78. Cafayate · 11,785 · Salta · Populated place
  79. Río Colorado · 11,499 · La Pampa · Populated place
  80. Cerrillos · 11,498 · Salta · Populated place
  81. Monte Quemado · 11,387 · Santiago del Estero · Populated place
  82. Humahuaca · 11,369 · Jujuy · Populated place
  83. Belen · 11,359 · Catamarca · Populated place
  84. Juarez · 10,609 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Populated place
  85. Choele Choel · 10,000 · RRo Negro · Populated place
  86. Vera · 9,979 · Santa Fe · Populated place
  87. San Justo · 9,607 · Santa Fe · Populated place
  88. Juan José Castelli · 9,421 · Chaco · Populated place
  89. Chamical · 8,989 · La Rioja · Populated place
  90. Chos Malal · 8,556 · Neuqutn · Populated place
  91. San Antonio Oeste · 8,492 · RRo Negro · Populated place
  92. El Calafate · 8,000 · Santa Cruz · Populated place
  93. Las Lomitas · 7,683 · Formosa · Populated place
  94. Carhué · 7,190 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Populated place
  95. Pedro Luro · 7,100 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Populated place
  96. Rinconada · 6,692 · Jujuy · Populated place
  97. Ingeniero Guillermo N. Juarez · 6,453 · Formosa · Populated place
  98. Doctor Pedro P. Peña · 6,143 · Formosa · Populated place
  99. Chepes · 6,020 · La Rioja · Populated place
  100. Ingeniero Jacobacci · 5,719 · RRo Negro · Populated place
  101. 28 de Noviembre · 5,300 · Santa Cruz · Populated place
  102. Sarmiento · 5,185 · Chubut · Populated place
  103. Abra Pampa · 4,480 · Jujuy · Populated place
  104. Victorica · 4,458 · La Pampa · Populated place
  105. La Paz · 4,400 · Mendoza · Populated place
  106. Comandante Fontana · 4,277 · Formosa · Populated place
  107. El Maitén · 4,269 · Chubut · Populated place
  108. San Antonio de los Cobres · 4,000 · Salta · Populated place
  109. Perito Moreno · 3,766 · Santa Cruz · Populated place
  110. Darregueira · 3,412 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Populated place
  111. Puerto Deseado · 3,305 · Santa Cruz · Populated place
  112. General Conesa · 2,958 · RRo Negro · Populated place
  113. Pampa del Infierno · 2,921 · Chaco · Populated place
  114. Villalonga · 2,838 · Ciudad de Buenos Aires · Populated place
  115. Chumbicha · 2,572 · Catamarca · Populated place
  116. Gobernador Gregores · 2,519 · Santa Cruz · Populated place
  117. Uspallata · 2,390 · Mendoza · Populated place
  118. Puerto San Julián · 2,347 · Santa Cruz · Populated place
  119. Paso Rio Mayo · 1,825 · Chubut · Populated place
  120. Trancas · 1,599 · Tucumtn · Populated place
  121. Alto Rio Sanguer · 1,548 · Chubut · Populated place
  122. Sierra Colorado · 1,522 · RRo Negro · Populated place
  123. Villa Rumipal · 1,269 · CRrdoba · Populated place
  124. Las Lajas · 1,218 · Neuqutn · Populated place
  125. Los Blancos · 1,145 · Salta · Populated place
  126. Susques · 1,093 · Jujuy · Populated place
  127. Comallo · 741 · RRo Negro · Populated place
  128. Rodeo · 701 · San Juan · Populated place
  129. Las Plumas · 605 · Chubut · Populated place
  130. Tinogasta · 587 · Catamarca · Populated place
  131. Gastre · 557 · Chubut · Populated place
  132. Telsen · 500 · Chubut · Populated place
  133. Comondante Luis Piedrabuena · 410 · Santa Cruz · Populated place

Highest Mountains in Argentina

10 mountains recorded. Ranked by summit elevation above sea level. A summit on a border is listed under both countries.

More on these mountains →
Highest Mountains in Argentina
#NameElevation
1Cerro Aconcagua6,959 m
2Nevado Ojos del Salado6,880 m
3Volcán Llullaillaco6,739 m
4Cerro Tupungato6,550 m
5Volcán Domuyo4,709 m
6Monte Tronador3,554 m
7Monte Fitz Roy3,375 m
8Mount Paget2,915 m
9Cerro Champaquí2,770 m
10Cerro Tres Picos1,243 m

Major Dams in Argentina

1 dam recorded. Ranked by structural height.

Major Dams in Argentina
#NameHeight
1Yacyretá Dam21 m

Largest Lakes in Argentina

14 lakes recorded. Ranked by mapped surface area. A lake on a border is listed under each country it lies in, with the area of the whole lake.

See all 14 lakes →
Largest Lakes in Argentina
#NameSurface Area
1Mar Chiquita2,102 km²
2Lago Buenos Aires1,895 km²
3Lago Argentino1,450 km²
4Lago Viedma1,077 km²
5Lago San Martín1,053 km²
6Embalse Ezequiel Ramos Mexia819 km²
7Lago Colhu Huapi791 km²
8Lago Nahuel Huapí553 km²
9Lago Musters381 km²
10Lago Cardiel350 km²

Rivers in Argentina

23 rivers recorded. Listed alphabetically. A river is listed where its mapped reach lies, so long rivers appear under more than one country.

See all 23 rivers →
Rivers in Argentina
NameType
BermejoRiver
CarcarañáRiver
Chico (lake reach)Lake reach
Chico (near El Maitén)River
Chico (near Gobernador Gregores)River
ChubutRiver
ColoradoRiver
DesaguaderoRiver
DeseadoRiver
DulceRiver

Ports in Argentina

23 ports recorded. Ranked by approach channel depth, the figure that limits which ships can call. Harbours link to their write-up on the page of the sea or coast they lie on.

Ports in Argentina
#NameChannel Depth
1Puerto Gallegos56.7 m
2Ushuaia56.7 m
3Colon53 m
4Santa Fe53 m
5Campana53 m
6Puerto San Martin49.4 m
7San Blas49.4 m
8Puerto Galvan49.4 m
9Concepcion del Uruguay49.4 m
10Puerto Madryn49.4 m
The other 13 (channel depth, class, sea, max vessel)
  1. Diamante · 45.7 m · Very Small · Atlantic Coast of South America · large vessels
  2. Ramallo · 45.7 m · Very Small · Atlantic Coast of South America · point_of_interest
  3. Mar del Plata · 45.7 m · Small · Atlantic Coast of South America · large vessels
  4. Puerto Deseado · 45.7 m · Very Small · Atlantic Coast of South America · large vessels
  5. San Lorenzo · 42.1 m · Very Small · Atlantic Coast of South America · large vessels
  6. San Pedro · 42.1 m · Very Small · Atlantic Coast of South America · large vessels
  7. Villa Constitucion · 42.1 m · Very Small · Atlantic Coast of South America · large vessels
  8. Puerto Santa Cruz · 42.1 m · Very Small · Atlantic Coast of South America · large vessels
  9. la Plata · 42.1 m · Minor · Atlantic Coast of South America · large vessels
  10. Zarate · 38.4 m · Small · Atlantic Coast of South America · large vessels
  11. Puerto Ibicuy · Very Small · Atlantic Coast of South America · point_of_interest
  12. San Sebastian Bay · Small · Atlantic Coast of South America · point_of_interest
  13. Puerto San Julian · Very Small · Atlantic Coast of South America · medium vessels

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Argentina

11 World Heritage Sites recorded. Listed by year of inscription, earliest first. Sites shared with another country appear under each.

See all 11 World Heritage Sites →
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Argentina
#NameInscribed
1Los Glaciares National Park1981
2Jesuit missions among the Guaraní1983
3Iguazú National Park World Heritage Site1984
4Cueva de las Manos1999
5Valdes Peninsula1999
6Ischigualasto / Talampaya Natural Parks2000
7Jesuit Block and Estancias of Córdoba2000
8Quebrada de Humahuaca2003
9Inca road system2014
10Los Alerces National Park2017

Largest Islands of Argentina

1 island recorded. Ranked by mapped area. An island divided between countries is listed under each, with the area of the whole island.

Largest Islands of Argentina
#NameArea
1Tierra del Fuego2,548 km²
Tierra del Fuego
Image via Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on the file page).

Tierra del Fuego

Island · 2,548 km²

Tierra del Fuego is an island in South America, covering an estimated 2,548 km². It extends across Chile and Argentina.

Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego (Spanish for 'Great Island of Land of Fire'), also formerly called Isla de Xátiva, is an island near the southern tip of South America from which it is separated by the Strait of Magellan. The western portion (61.43%) of the island (27,294 km2 (10,538.3 sq mi)) is in Chile (Province of Tierra del Fuego and Antártica Chilena Province), while the eastern portion (38.57%, or 20,698 km2 (7,991.5 sq mi)) is in Argentina (Tierra del Fuego Province). It forms the major landmass in an extended archipelago (island group) also called Tierra del Fuego.

The island has an area of 47,992 km2 (18,530 sq mi), making it the largest island in South America and the 29th largest island in the world. Its two biggest towns are Ushuaia and Río Grande, both in Argentina. Other towns are Tolhuin, Porvenir, Camerón, and Cerro Sombrero. The Argentine side, Tierra del Fuego Province, has 190,641 inhabitants (2022), whereas the Chilean side has only 6,656 (2012), almost all located in the Tierra del Fuego Province.

Its highest point is unofficially named Monte Shipton (2,580 m (8,465 ft)), in Chile.

Adapted from Wikipedia: Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Feature class
Island
Mapped extent
2,548 km²
Size rank
#238 of 445 islands
Region
South America
Countries
Chile, Argentina
Coordinates
-54.5913°, -71.9332°
Summits:
Monte Fitz Roy (3,375 m), Monte Tronador (3,554 m), Mount Paget (2,915 m)
Ranges:
Jones Mountains (Antarctica), Cuchilla Grande (South America)
Settlements:
Rio Grande (178 km), Ushuaia (186 km), Río Gallegos (423 km)

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More about Tierra del Fuego

Geography

Tierra del Fuego is bounded on the east by the South Atlantic, on the north by the Magellan Straits and on the south and west by a series of fjords and channels linked to the Pacific Ocean. One of the few prominent features of the northeast shore is San Sebastián Bay. To the south the island is bounded by the Beagle Channel, south of which lie a series of islands included in Chilean territory. To the west the island has two major inlets, Inútil Bay and Almirantazgo Fjord. The latter lies along the Magallanes–Fagnano Fault and is a continuation of the Cami Lake depression in southern Tierra del Fuego.

History

The earliest human settlement occurred more than 10,000 years ago, as people migrated from the mainland, perhaps under pressure from competitors. The Yaghan people were some of the earliest known humans settling in Tierra del Fuego. Certain archeological sites at locations such as Navarino Island, within the islands of Tierra del Fuego, have yielded artifacts and evidence of their culture from the Megalithic era.

The name Tierra del Fuego derives from Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who was the first European to visit these lands in 1520, on his voyage to the Philippines from Spain. He believed he was seeing the many fires (fuego in Spanish) of the Amerindians, which were visible from the sea and that the "Indians" were waiting in the forests to ambush his armada.

Climate

The region has a subpolar oceanic climate and a mild tundra climate (Köppen climate classification Cfc and ET) with short, cool summers with a mean at around 10 °C (50 °F) and long, cool and wet winters with a mean at around 0 °C (32 °F). The northeast is characterized by strong winds and little precipitation, while in the south and west it is very windy, foggy, and wet most of the year, with precipitation levels averaging 3,000 millimetres (120 in) a year. The permanent snow line begins at 700 metres (2,300 ft). Places in the world with comparable climates are the Aleutian Islands, Iceland, Kuril Islands, Campbell Island, the Kerguelen Islands, the Scottish Highlands, and coastal areas of Norway.

Economy

The main industries are oil, natural gas, sheep farming and ecotourism. On the Argentine side, several electronics companies have been established. Ushuaia is home to the small brewing company Cervecería Fueguina, which produces three beers under the Beagle brand name.

The fishing industry in Tierra del Fuego centers around the export of spider crabs, mussels, and other mollusks. Krill are abundant in nearby waters, but have not yet been successfully harvested. The agricultural sector in Tierra del Fuego is underdeveloped.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Tierra del Fuego: Key Facts

Key facts about Tierra del Fuego
Area47,992 km²
Population200,000
Highest pointMonte Shipton
Surrounded byAtlantic Ocean

Facts from Wikidata Q1674067 (CC0).

Mountain Ranges, Deserts and Landforms of Argentina

9 mountain ranges, deserts and other landforms recorded. Ranked by mapped area. Covers mountain ranges, deserts, plateaus, named glaciers, plains, basins, peninsulas and capes. One that crosses a border is listed under every country it lies in, with the area of the whole feature.

More on these mountain ranges, deserts and other landforms →
Mountain Ranges, Deserts and Landforms of Argentina
#NameArea
1South America17.91M km²
2Gran Chaco690,714 km²
3Andes549,211 km²
4Altiplano339,339 km²
5Entre Rios159,767 km²
6Patagonia41,302 km²
7Pampas17,857 km²
8Southern Patagonian Ice Field14,163 km²
9Península Valdés3,635 km²

States and Provinces of Argentina

17 first-level divisions with their own map.

Countries Bordering Argentina

Land and maritime neighbours.

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Argentina: Quick Answers

What is the capital of Argentina?
The capital of Argentina is Buenos Aires.
What is the population of Argentina?
Argentina has a population of about 45.85 million, the #35 largest of 225 countries in YearMaps. Source: World Bank, 2025.
How big is Argentina?
Argentina covers 2.78M km², ranking #9 by area, with about 16 people per square kilometre.
Which continent is Argentina in?
Argentina is in South America.
Which countries border Argentina?
Argentina shares a land or maritime border with Uruguay, United Kingdom, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Bolivia.
What is the largest city in Argentina?
Buenos Aires is the largest city in Argentina, with a metropolitan population of about 12.79 million.
What is the highest mountain in Argentina?
The highest summit recorded for Argentina in YearMaps is Cerro Aconcagua at 6,959 m (22,831 ft). Summits on a border are counted for both countries.
What is the largest lake in Argentina?
The largest lake recorded in or bordering Argentina is Mar Chiquita, at roughly 2,102 km².
What is the tallest dam in Argentina?
The tallest dam recorded for Argentina is Yacyretá Dam at 21 m, on the Paraná.