The Argentine Republic
The Argentine Republic: Its Physical Features, History, Fauna, Flora, Geology, Literature & Commerce (1910) — is a comprehensive survey of Argentina at the dawn of the 20th century. It was written for an international audience, presenting the country not only as a land of natural beauty but also as a rising modern nation with cultural and economic significance.
It belongs to “Mitchell’s Argentine series” and covers the country in a systematic, chapter-by-chapter manner that matches the title exactly. Pennington, a long-time resident of Argentina (San Fernando area), writes with evident sympathy for the nation and its people, drawing on his own observations, local sources, and British comparative data (weights, measures, and currency) for readability.
The book includes illustrations and a fold-out map and was published in London by Stanley Paul & Co. (with an American edition by F.A. Stokes Company in New York the same year). A slightly later reference (sometimes dated 1911) appears in bibliographies, but the core 1910 imprint is consistent across catalogs.
The Argentine Republic
Contents Overview
Chapter I: Physical Description of the Country
- Geographic extent and boundaries.
- Major landforms: Cordillera de los Andes, Central System, Mountains of Misiones, and Southern ranges.
- Plains and regions: Chaco, Pampa, Salinas Grandes, Patagonia.
- River systems: Paraná, Uruguay, Río de la Plata, Colorado, Negro, and Patagonian rivers.
- Natural features: Iguazú Falls, Lagunas de Malhoyo and Iberá.
Chapter II: Population, Race, Language, and Religion
- Demographic statistics and ethnic origins.
- Indigenous tribes and mixed races.
- Social archetypes: Gaucho, Rastreador, Baqueano, Payador, Domador.
- Regional identities: Porteños, Criollos, Puntanos, Cuyanos, Chinos, Gringos, Ingleses.
- Linguistic distinctions between Argentine Spanish and Castilian.
- Religious composition: Roman Catholic majority with Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist, and other sects.
Chapter III: Government and Constitution
- Argentina as a Federal Republic.
- Origins of the provinces and constitutional framework.
- Structure of national government: Executive, Legislative, Judicial.
- Provincial autonomy and federal powers (intervention, state of siege).
- National symbols: anthem, flag, arms, and diplomatic representation.
Chapter IV: History — Discovery and the Adelantados
- Discovery of the Río de la Plata by Solís.
- Sebastian Cabot’s expedition and the fate of his colony.
- The Adelantados (royal governors): Pedro de Mendoza and the first founding of Buenos Aires.
- Subsequent abandonment, Irala’s rule in Asunción, and Garay’s second founding of Buenos Aires.
- Final separation of Buenos Aires from Asunción.
by Pennington, A. Stuart (Arthur Stuart)