Argentina
Following independence from Spain in 1816, Argentina experience periods of political conflict between conservatives and liberals. Democracy returned in 1983 and has persisted despite numerous challenges ("CIA - The World Factbook"). The country over the past years has suffered from inflation, external debt, capital fight, and budget deficits; however, by mid-year 2002 the economy has stabilized and has been expanding thanks to revival in domestic demand, solid exports, and favorable external conditions ("CIA - The World Factbook").
The most formidable economic crises happened in 2001-2002 in which real GDP fell by 10.9 percent in 2002. After stabilization, GPD expanded by about 8 percent per ear year from 2003 to 2005 ("CIA - The World Factbook"). The economic stabilization is due to the benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base ("TradePort"). In 2005, exports totaled $40 billion dollars, a 150 percent increase when compared to 2000 (Factbook, TradePort). Out of all exports, 15 percent goes to Brazil: Other top exporting partners include Chile (10%), US (10%), China (9%), and Spain (5%). Among the country's top exports were edible oils, fuels and energy, cereals, feed, and motor vehicles ("TradePort"). Export taxes average 5.3 percent, and exporters may claim reimbursement for some domestically paid taxes. The average reimbursement for exporters is 4.2 percent ("ARGENTINA").
Argentineans imports reported for 2005 were $28.8 billions ("CIA - The World Factbook"). The top imports consisted of machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal manufactures, and plastics ("TradePort"). Ar ...