Size: 176,220 square kilometers.

Topography: Country consists mostly (75 percent) of gently rolling plateau, interrupted at two points by low hilly ridges (cuchillas). Remainder fertile coastal lowlands, including narrow coastal plain--sandy and marshy, occasionally broken by lagoons--and somewhat broader littorals of Río de la Plata and Río Uruguay.

Climate: Country situated in temperate zone (only Latin American country lying wholly outside tropics). Climate mild and fairly uniform nationwide, although northwestern area farther inland has warmer summers and drier winters than rest of country. Seasonal variations pronounced, but freezing temperatures almost unknown. High humidity, high winds, and fog common. Winter warm spells can be abruptly broken by a strong pampero, a chilly and occasionally violent wind from Argentine pampas.

Data as of December 1990