Argentina is a country in South America, mostly located in the southern half of the continent. It is the eighth-largest country in the world by area. It was a Spanish colony during the colonial era and successfully repelled attempts at invasion by the British in 1806 and 1807. The war for independence from Spain occurred from 1810–1818, and it was followed by a civil war, lasting until 1861. Its capital is Buenos Aires. Argentina has the second-largest economy in South America and is a founding member of the United Nations.