Argentina is also bordered by Bolivia and Paraguay on the north, and by Uruguay and Brazil on the east. The northern area is the swampy and partly wooded Gran Chaco, bordering on Bolivia and Paraguay.
Next southward is Patagonia, a region of cool, arid steppes with some wooded and fertile sections.
As it had in World War I, Argentina proclaimed neutrality at the outbreak of World War II, but in the closing phase declared war on the Axis powers on March 27, 1945. Argentina entered a long period of military dictatorships with brief intervals of constitutional government. The Argentine Commission for Human Rights, in Geneva, has charged the junta with 2,300 political murders, over 10,000 political arrests, and the disappearances of 20,000 to 30,000 people. While violence declined, the economy remained in chaos. In March 1981 Field Marshal Roberto Viola deposed Videla, who in turn was succeeded by Lt. Gen. Leopoldo Galtieri.