officially Argentine Republic, Spanish República Argentinacountry occupying most of the southern portion, or southern cone, of South America. With an area of 1,073,399 square miles (2,780,092 square km)—more extensive than Mexico and the U.S. state of Texas combined—it is the eighth largest country in the world. Argentina is shaped like an inverted triangle with its base at the top; it is some 880 miles (1,420 km) across at its widest from east to west and …showed first 75 words of 473 total…

…showed last 75 words of 473 total…government. In the late 20th century the nation was set back by failed policies that led to misadventures such as the Falkland Islands War of 1982, which cost Argentina dearly in terms of both morale and finances. Moreover, economic policies promulgated by the government have at times brought or exacerbated hyperinflation. Argentina's recovery from such disappointments and its prospects for future development are based on the potential manifested in its excellent resources and its well-educated populace.