Argentina Government

The government of Argentina works under a representative democratic republic, which means that citizens elect individuals to represent their interests in government. Argentina governs its country through 3 branches of government: executive, judicial, and legislative. The National Congress carries out legislative duties and is organized into 2 houses: the Senate, which is comprised of 72 seats, and the Chamber of Deputies, which is comprised of 257 seats. The President of Argentina acts as both Head of State and Head of Government, leading the executive branch. The judicial branch acts independently of both the President and the National Congress.

Voting in Argentina is mandatory for all citizens between the ages of 18 and 70. Since 1995, presidential elections have taken place under a runoff voting system, which means that citizens vote twice. After the first round of voting, the two winning candidates go on to the second round and citizens vote again. The President and the Vice President run on a single ticket to serve a four-year term. Argentina maintains a two-term limit for the President. Members of the bicameral National Congress are elected under a slightly different system. Representatives in the Chamber of Deputies are elected based on proportional representation and four-year term. These elections are held once every 2 years, rotating among districts. Senators are elected for six-year terms.

The legislative body of Argentina, known as the National Congress, meets at the Palace of the Argentine National Congress in Buenos Aires. This building is located on Avenida de Mayo, on the opposite end from the Casa Rosada. It was built over an 8-year period, from 1898 to 1906, in a neoclassical architectural style. This Congressional palace is characterized by carved, white marble and a large bronze-covered dome at its center.

Argentina has a varied multiparty system. Some of the most prominent political alliances in the country include the Justicialist Party, the Cambiemos, and the Progressives.

This page was last modified on May 1st, 2018

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Published on 2019-11-06


Capital	Buenos Aires
Languages	Spanish (official), Italian, English, German, French, indigenous (Mapudungun, Quechua)
Ethnic Groups	European (mostly Spanish and Italian descent) and mestizo (mixed European and Amerindian ancestry) 97.2%, Amerindian 2.4%, African 0.4% (2010 est.)
Religion	nominally Roman Catholic 92% (less than 20% practicing), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 4%
Government	Presidential republic
Independance	9 July 1816 (from Spain)
Area	2,780,400.00 km²
Water Area	43,710.00 km²
Land Area	2,736,690.00 km²
Population	43,886,748.00 One-third of the population lives in Buenos Aires; pockets of agglomeration occur throughout the northern and central parts of the country; Patagonia to the south remains sparsely populated
Location	Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Chile and Uruguay
No. Bordering Countries	5
Bordering Countries	Bolivia 942 km, Brazil 1,263 km, Chile 6,691 km, Paraguay 2,531 km, Uruguay 541 km
GDP(PPP)	$879,000,000,000.00 (USD)
GDP (Per Capita)	$20,200.00 (USD)
Export Partners	Its major export partners are Brazil, China, and the United States.
Export Commodities	Its main exports are soybeans, petroleum, and vehicles.
Import Partners	Its major import partners are Brazil, China, and the United States.
Import Commodities	Its major imports include machinery, motor vehicles, petroleum, and natural gas.
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
Learn More	Argentina

Argentina Government

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