Argentine History
Argentinean history harks back into the past. Its territory from olden times was inhabited by Indian tribes like Rehuelches, Pampas, Matacos, Huerpes and Mapuches. The highest level of development was achieved by Digit tribe that lived in the north-west of the country. They mastered in agriculture, built irrigational systems and worked with gold and silver. The territory of La-Plata was occupied by Indians Guarani and warrior hunter tribes Charrua, Pampa was inhabited by Het and Puelche and Patagonia and Ushuaia by Cho-Nuke and Tuelche.
These tribes lived long before 1516 when Argentina was visited by the first European Juan Diaz-de-Solis. In 1516 he came to the banks of La-Plata River but Indians did not let Spanish conquistadors to their lands and the expedition was failed. 4 years later an Italian born mariner Sebastian Cabot came to Argentinean lands looking for the island that was supposed to connect Atlantic and Pacific oceans. When he made sure that there was nothing like it, he moved to the South and spent winter in Patagonia.
Further years were followed by Spanish reign. It was Spanish who gave the country its name Argentina. “Argentum” means “silver” though almost no silver was found.
Conquered colonies could be entered only by Spanish or numerous black slaves who were brought here from Africa. European newcomers were mostly occupied in agriculture and only in XVI century Argentina saw its first Christian cathedrals and Jesuit missions.
Indian tribes didn’t welcome conquistadors hence there were several engagements that reduced the number of Indians in Argentina in 3 times, in less than 2 centuries.
In 1536 Buenos Aires was established which in 1776 formed a Viceroyalty – Rio de la Plata.
The year 1778 is an important year of Argentinean economic development. This year Spain gave Argentina the right to open trade with other ports. In 1810 colonies started to fight for their rights which led to antispanish movement in Latin America that in the end turned into the war for its independence.
In July 9, 1816 an independent state of United La-Plata provinces were formed and in 1826 they became a Federal Republic Argentina.
Argentina was growing fast and in XVIIII century its government tried to take control over Uruguay, Bolivia and Paraguay. The same century Argentina took unsuccessful attempts to conquer Brazil and Peru and started wars with France and Great Britain.
In 1833 Great Britain managed to conquer Falkland Island (Malvinas Islands) that still belongs to Britain.
Home stretch of Argentina formation was concluded by Jaime Rosas dictatorship in 1829-1852 when he added Patagonia. During the XX century Argentina took an active part in building world economy and was considered to be a rather valuable country in the world.
In 2001 Argentina declared the biggest default in the world of 132 billiards of dollars, that period was described by unemployment and massive robbery.
Today Argentina is a presidential federative republic that has stable economy but is still rather cheap place to visit for Europeans. Together with its history, culture, architecture and breathtaking nature it becomes one of the most attractive place in the world.