Argentina proclaimed its independence from Spain on July 9, 1816, and, after some years of disturbance and civil war, adopted the constitution in 1853 under which, with a few amendments, the Republic is governed today.

Argentina is primarily an agricultural country and its prosperity rests on livestock, cereals, vegetable oils and wool. Meat production is largely geared to the needs of western Europe. The main crops are wheat, maize, soya beans, linseed oil and cotton. Argentina is one of the world’s largest wine producers (the first in South America and the fifth in the world). The production of organic products has grown considerably during the past decade. There has been rapid industrial growth in plastics, textiles, steel, aluminium, chemicals and engineering. Oil and gas production cover almost totally the country’s energy needs. Other minerals produced include sulphur, tin, wolfram, uranium and plutonium; areas in the Andean zone are to be prospected for copper, gold and other minerals.

Argentina is a member of the International Monetary Fund, the Inter-American Development Bank and of the Latin American Free Trade Association.