Читать книгу The 2010 CIA World Factbook - United States. Central Intelligence Agency - Страница 130

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of light blue (top), white, and light blue; centered in the white band is a radiant yellow sun with a human face known as the Sun of May; the colors represent the clear skies and snow of the Andes; the sun symbol commemorates the appearance of the sun through cloudy skies on 25 May 1810 during the first mass demonstration in favor of independence; the sun features are those of Inti, the Inca god of the sun

National anthem:

name: "Himno Nacional Argentino" (Argentine National Anthem)

lyrics/music: Vicente LOPEZ y PLANES/Jose Blas PARERA

note: adopted 1813; Vicente LOPEZ was inspired to write the anthem after watching a play about the 1810 May Revolution against Spain

Economy ::Argentina

Economy - overview:

Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Although one of the world's wealthiest countries 100 years ago, Argentina suffered during most of the 20th century from recurring economic crises, persistent fiscal and current account deficits, high inflation, mounting external debt, and capital flight. A severe depression, growing public and external indebtedness, and a bank run culminated in 2001 in the most serious economic, social, and political crisis in the country's turbulent history. Interim President Adolfo RODRIGUEZ SAA declared a default - the largest in history - on the government's foreign debt in December of that year, and abruptly resigned only a few days after taking office. His successor, Eduardo DUHALDE, announced an end to the peso's decade-long 1-to-1 peg to the US dollar in early 2002. The economy bottomed out that year, with real GDP 18% smaller than in 1998 and almost 60% of Argentines under the poverty line. Real GDP rebounded to grow by an average 8.5% annually over the subsequent six years, taking advantage of previously idled industrial capacity and labor, an audacious debt restructuring and reduced debt burden, excellent international financial conditions, and expansionary monetary and fiscal policies. Inflation also increased, however, during the administration of President Nestor KIRCHNER, which responded with price restraints on businesses, as well as export taxes and restraints, and beginning in early 2007, with understating inflation data. Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER succeeded her husband as President in late 2007, and the rapid economic growth of previous years began to slow sharply the following year as government policies held back exports and the world economy fell into recession. The economy has rebounded from the 2009 recession, but the government's continued reliance on expansionary fiscal and monetary policies risks exacerbating already high inflation, which remains under-reported by official statistics.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$596 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 $554.5 billion (2009 est.)

$571.6 billion (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$351 billion (2010 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

7.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 −3% (2009 est.)

5% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$14,700 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 $13,700 (2009 est.)

$14,100 (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 8.5%

industry: 31.6%

services: 59.8% (2010 est.)

Labor force:

16.62 million country comparison to the world: 36 note: urban areas only (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 5%

industry: 23%

services: 72% (2009 est.)

Unemployment rate:

7.9% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 8.7% (2009 est.)

note: based on official data, which may understate unemployment

Population below poverty line:

30% (January-June 2010)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 1.2%

highest 10%: 32.6% (2009)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

45.7 (2009) country comparison to the world: 38

Investment (gross fixed):

22% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 67

Public debt:

50.3% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 48.6% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

22% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 222 16% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate: