Argentina does not have states in the technical sense; it has 23 provinces plus 1 autonomous city, the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (CABA), giving the country 24 first-level administrative divisions in total. Argentina is a federal republic, so its primary subdivisions are called provincias (provinces) rather than states, though the two play a very similar constitutional role to states in countries like the United States or Brazil.
Provinces vs. States: A Note on Wording
People searching for "how many states are in Argentina" are usually looking for the country's main administrative regions. In Argentina these are provinces, not states, but the function is the same: each is a self-governing unit that sits between the national government and local municipalities. The full count is straightforward:
- 23 provinces (provincias)
- 1 autonomous city — the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (CABA), which serves as the national capital
- 24 first-level divisions in total
The City of Buenos Aires is legally distinct from the surrounding Buenos Aires Province. The two share a name but are entirely separate jurisdictions, a fact that confuses many first-time visitors.
The 23 Provinces of Argentina
The 23 provinces are: Buenos Aires, Catamarca, Chaco, Chubut, Córdoba, Corrientes, Entre Ríos, Formosa, Jujuy, La Pampa, La Rioja, Mendoza, Misiones, Neuquén, Río Negro, Salta, San Juan, San Luis, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santiago del Estero, Tierra del Fuego, and Tucumán.
They vary enormously in size and population. Buenos Aires Province is both the largest by area, at roughly 307,571 km², and the most populous, with more than 17 million residents — more people than live in many entire South American nations. At the other extreme, Tucumán is the smallest province by area at about 22,524 km², while Tierra del Fuego, at the far southern tip, is the least populated. Tierra del Fuego's official name is even longer: "Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and South Atlantic Islands," reflecting Argentina's territorial claims further south.
How Argentina's Federal System Works
Argentina has been a federal republic since its 1853 constitution, and the provinces retain substantial powers. Each province has its own constitution, an elected governor, and a legislature — some bicameral, others unicameral. Provinces control important areas such as education, policing, justice administration, and the natural resources found within their borders, including the oil and gas reserves that make Patagonian provinces like Neuquén so economically significant.
Representation in the national Congress reflects this federal structure. In the Senate, every province sends 3 senators, and the City of Buenos Aires sends 3 as well, for a total of 72 senators. The lower house, the Chamber of Deputies, allocates seats roughly in proportion to population, so heavily populated districts like Buenos Aires Province carry far more weight there.
The special status of the City of Buenos Aires was formalized by the 1994 constitutional reform, which granted it autonomy and the right to elect its own head of government and legislature, rather than having a mayor appointed by the national president as had previously been the case.
Geography and Economy Across the Provinces
Spanning about 2.78 million km², Argentina is the 8th-largest country in the world by area, and its provinces stretch across a remarkable range of climates and landscapes. The subtropical north includes Misiones, home to the Argentine side of the spectacular Iguazú Falls, and Salta and Jujuy with their high-altitude Andean valleys. The fertile central plains — the Pampas, covering Buenos Aires Province, Santa Fe, and Córdoba — form the agricultural and industrial heartland and generate the bulk of the nation's economic output.
Heading west, Mendoza sits at the foot of the Andes and is Argentina's most famous wine region, renowned for its Malbec. To the south lies Patagonia, with the glaciers of Santa Cruz and the windswept steppes of Chubut and Río Negro. At the very bottom, the city of Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego is frequently described as the "southernmost city in the world." This north-to-south span gives Argentina jungles, deserts, wetlands, mountains, and ice fields all within a single set of provinces. For more on the country as a whole, see our argentina country guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Argentina have states or provinces?
Argentina has provinces, not states. The country is divided into 23 provinces and 1 autonomous city. "State" is simply the common English translation people use, but the official term is provincia.
What is the capital of Argentina?
The capital is the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (CABA). It is a separate jurisdiction from the surrounding Buenos Aires Province, despite sharing the name.
Which is the largest province in Argentina?
Buenos Aires Province is the largest both by area (about 307,571 km²) and by population (over 17 million people), making it the dominant province in the country.
Which is the smallest and least populated province?
Tucumán is the smallest by area at roughly 22,524 km², while Tierra del Fuego in the far south is the least populated province.
