Argentina - People

The population in the country is about 40 million, with about 14 million living in Buenos Aires alone.  The overall density is 14 persons per square km, which is less than one-third of the world average.  More than 80% of the population are descendents of European immigrants, especially from Italy and Spain, who came in the late 19th century.  15% are Mestizos (mixed European/American Indians) and 1% are American Indians.  There are also some immigrants from Syria, Lebanon and other Middle Eastern countries; they are mostly Christians.  Recent years see a significant influx of immigrants, legal and illegal, from neighbouring countries such as Paraguary, Bolivia and Peru.