The geography of Argentina is heavily diverse, consisting of the Andes Mountains, pampas, and various rivers and lakes. Bordered by the Andes in the west and the South Atlantic Ocean to the east, its neighbouring countries are Chile to the west, Bolivia and Paraguay to the north, and Brazil and Uruguay to the northeast.
In terms of area, Argentina is the second largest country in South America after Brazil, and the eighth largest country in the world. Its total area is . Argentina claims a section of Antarctica (Argentine Antarctica) that is subject to the Antarctic Treaty. Argentina also asserts claims to several British South Atlantic islands.
With a population of more than 42.1 million, Argentina ranks as the world's 32nd most populous country as of 2010.
Regions
Argentina's provinces are divided in seven zones regarding climate and terrain. From North to South, West to East: Argentine Northwest: Jujuy, Salta, Tucumán, Catamarca, La Rioja Gran Chaco: Formosa, Chaco, Santiago del Estero Mesopotamia: Misiones, Corrientes Cuyo: San Juan, Mendoza, San Luis The Pampas: Santa Fe, La Pampa, Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Entre Ríos Patagonia: Rio Negro, Neuquén, Chubut, Santa Cruz, Tierra del Fuego
Land use
Arable land: 13.9%
Permanent crops: 0.4%
Permanent pastures: 39.6%
Forest: 10.7%
Other: 35.4% (2020) Irrigated land: 23,600 km2 (2020) Total renewable water resources: 814 km3/yr
Mountains and hills
Water resources
In Argentina, the fluvial net is integrated by many systems of different economic relevance, which could be measured by their amount of flow and navigability. Water flow relevance is based on its potential to be used for irrigation and as a source of energy. Depending on where the water streams drain, rivers and creeks could be classified into three different kinds of watersheds: Open or exorheic watersheds: they have exterior drainage (into the sea) - Parana River, Uruguay River, Negro River Closed or endorheic watersheds: they have interior drainage - Atuel River, Diamante River, Tunuyan River Areic watersheds: they lack of drainage and could be found in the center-west of the chaquenean plain, on the west of the pampean region and in some patagonic areas
On the other hand, lakes and lagoons are permanent accumulations of water over impervious depressions. Their difference is mainly based on their extension and depth. They are very important for stream regulation, as a source of energy, tourist attraction and its ichthyologic wealth. In Argentina, all major lakes are in Patagonia.
Rivers
Major rivers in Argentina include the Pilcomayo, Paraguay, Bermejo, Colorado, Río Negro, Salado, Uruguay and the largest river, the Paraná. The latter two flow together before meeting the Atlantic Ocean, forming the estuary of the Río de la Plata. Regionally important rivers are the Atuel and Mendoza in the homonymous province, the Chubut in Patagonia, the Río Grande in Jujuy, and the San Francisco River in Salta.
Lakes
There are several large lakes in Argentina, many of them in Patagonia. Among these are lakes Argentino and Viedma in Santa Cruz, Nahuel Huapi in Río Negro and Fagnano in Tierra del Fuego, and Colhué Huapi and Musters in Chubut. Lake Buenos Aires and O'Higgins/San Martín Lake are shared with Chile. Mar Chiquita, Córdoba, is the largest saltwater lake in the country. There are numerous reservoirs created by dams. Argentina features various hot springs, such as those at Termas de Río Hondo with temperatures between 30 °C and 65 °C.
A recent global remote sensing analysis suggested that there were 3,091 km2 of tidal flats in Argentina, making it the ninth ranked country in terms of how much tidal flat occurs there.
Climate
Argentina is subject to a variety of climates. The north of the country, including latitudes in and below the Tropic of Capricorn, is characterized by very hot, wet summers (which result in a number of swamp lands) with mild drier winters, and is subject to periodic droughts during the winter season.
Central Argentina has hot summers with tornadoes and thunderstorms (in western Argentina producing some of the world's largest hail), and cool winters. The southern regions have warm summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall, especially in mountainous zones. Higher elevations at all latitudes experience cooler conditions.
Political geography
Argentina borders five countries. Its largest and second largest international borders are the Argentina–Chile border, which is long, and the Argentina–Paraguay border which is long.