Argentina is located in South America, occupying most of the southern, or "southern cone," portion of the continent. It is the second-largest country in South America after Brazil and the eighth-largest country in the world, covering roughly 2,780,400 square kilometers. Argentina sits firmly within the Southern Hemisphere and stretches across a vast range of latitudes, from the subtropical north to the sub-Antarctic island of Tierra del Fuego in the far south.
Where Exactly Is Argentina on the Continent?
Argentina forms the southeastern flank of South America. Its long, tapering shape runs north to south for more than 3,700 kilometers, while the towering Andes Mountains define almost the entire western edge. To the east lies the Atlantic Ocean, giving the country an extensive coastline. With its capital at Buenos Aires, Argentina anchors a part of the continent often called the Southern Cone, a region it shares with Chile and Uruguay.
Because the country spans so many degrees of latitude, no single climate or landscape defines it. The same nation that contains humid subtropical jungle near the Brazilian border also reaches almost to Antarctica, a geographic span few countries on any continent can match. You can learn more in our argentina country guide.
Argentina's Place Among South American Nations
South America is home to twelve sovereign nations, and Argentina ranks as the second-largest by both land area and is among the most populous. It borders five fellow South American countries:
- Chile to the west, along one of the longest international borders in the world, running the length of the Andes.
- Bolivia and Paraguay to the north.
- Brazil and Uruguay to the northeast.
Every one of Argentina's neighbors is a South American country, which firmly cements its continental identity. It is also the largest Spanish-speaking country in the world by area, reflecting the Spanish colonial history shared across much of the continent.
A Continent of Extremes Within One Country
Argentina's position in South America gives it remarkable geographic diversity. In the west, the Andes rise to Aconcagua at 6,961 meters, the highest peak not only in South America but in the entire Western and Southern Hemispheres. Central Argentina is dominated by the Pampas, vast fertile grasslands that form the agricultural heartland of the country and rank among the most productive farming regions on Earth.
Move north and you reach the Gran Chaco, a hot, semi-arid lowland, while the far south opens into Patagonia, a windswept steppe of dramatic glaciers and open plateaus. The Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the few advancing glaciers left in the world, sits in this southern region. This combination of mountains, plains, deserts, and ice fields all within one nation underscores how much of South America's variety is contained within Argentina's borders.
How Far South Does Argentina Reach?
Argentina extends farther south than almost any inhabited place on the planet. The island of Tierra del Fuego, shared with Chile, marks the continent's southern tip. The Argentine city of Ushuaia, located here, is widely regarded as the southernmost city in the world and serves as a primary departure point for expeditions to Antarctica.
This southern reach means Argentina experiences a sub-Antarctic climate at its tip, with cold, blustery conditions year-round. At the same time, its northern provinces sit near the Tropic of Capricorn and enjoy warm, humid weather. Few countries demonstrate the full climatic spread of a continent the way Argentina does.
Why Argentina Is Sometimes Confused
Some learners wonder whether Argentina might belong to a region like Central America or whether parts of it edge toward Antarctica. The answer is clear: Argentina is entirely within continental South America. While it does maintain claims and research interests in the Antarctic region to its south, and administers South Atlantic islands, the mainland and its core territory are unambiguously South American. Its language, culture, borders, and physical geography all place it squarely on that continent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Argentina in North or South America?
Argentina is in South America. It lies in the southern half of the continent, well within the Southern Hemisphere, and shares borders only with other South American nations.
What is the largest country in South America?
Brazil is the largest country in South America by both area and population. Argentina is the second-largest by land area, covering about 2,780,400 square kilometers.
Is Argentina part of Latin America?
Yes. Argentina is both a South American and a Latin American country. "Latin America" is a cultural and linguistic grouping based on Romance languages, while South America is the geographic continent Argentina sits on.
What hemisphere is Argentina in?
Argentina lies in the Southern Hemisphere and the Western Hemisphere. Its seasons are the reverse of those in the Northern Hemisphere, so summer falls in December and winter in July.