Country Profile — Argentina
Argentina stretches 4,000 km from its sub-tropical north to the sub-Antarctic south.
Its terrain includes part of the Andes mountain range, swamps, the plains of the Pampas and a long coastline. Its people have had to struggle with military dictatorship, a lost war over the Falkland Islands, and severe economic difficulties.
Argentina is rich in resources, has a well-educated workforce and is one of South America's largest economies. But it has also fallen prey to a boom and bust cycle.
The country remains locked in a territorial dispute with Britain over the Falklands Islands, which are governed as a British overseas territory, but have been claimed by Buenos Aires since the 1830s.
Facts
- Argentine Republic
- Capital: Buenos Aires
- Population 41.1 million
- Area 2.8m sq km (1.1m sq miles)
- Major language: Spanish
- Major religion: Christianity
- Life expectancy 72 years (men), 80 years (women)
- Currency: Peso
Argentina is one of South America's leading media markets. There are dozens of TV networks, hundreds of radio stations and more than 150 daily newspapers.
Large media groups own the main outlets and public broadcasting has a minor role.
Top free-to-air TV networks Telefe, America, Canal 9 and Canal 13 are privately-owned.
Clarin and La Nacion are the best-selling national dailies.
Media and politics tend to entangle.
Major press and broadcasting group Clarin was at loggerheads with former left-wing former leader Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner over a bill that would have allowed the break-up of media conglomerates.
The government of conservative President Mauricio Macri scrapped the legislation in 2016. Critics accused Mr Macri of favouring Grupo Clarin.
By 2016 Argentina had more than 30 million internet users, comprising 69% of the population (Internetlivestats.com).
Source BBC
For more media information contact Yvonne Foster:
07752492816