The uniforms worn by Argentines when the British attacked Buenos Aires (1806) and the blue ribbons worn by patriots in 1810 may have been the origin of the celeste-white-celeste flag hoisted on Feb. 12,1812. The flag's golden "sun of May" was added on Feb. 25,1818, to commemorate the yielding of the Spanish viceroy in 1810.

Argentina Official name: República Argentina (Argentina Republic). Form of government: federal republic with two legislative houses (Senate [72]; Chamber of Deputies [257]). Head of state and government: President. Population (1998): 36,125,000. Population projection: (2000) 37,032,000; (2010) 41,474,000. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1995-2000): 12.0 (world avg. 15.7). Gross national product (1996): U.S.$295,131,000,000 (U.S.$8,380 per capita). Land use (1994): forest 18.6%; pasture 51.9%; agriculture 9.9%; other 19.6%.

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