Countries
Facts about Argentina
The homeland of tango
It is said that the Argentines are like Italians speaking Spanish, they behave like the French and wish to be like the British. Argentina used to be one of the richest and thriving countries in the world, but due to many coups d'état, rapidly changing presidents, and financial meltdowns, it has found itself in the developing countries.
1
The official name of Argentina is the Argentine Republic. It gained its independence in 1816.
2
The name Argentina derives from the Latin word argentum, meaning silver. Its origin is related to the legend of Sierra de la Plata concerning Spanish and Portuguese conquistadors who led an expedition to find silver. During the expedition, conquistadors along Amerigo Vespucci discovered the Rio de la Plata's estuary (freshwater marine lagoon). The name Argentina first appeared on the maps in the 16th century. For a long time, the term referred to everything related to the Rio de la Plata, its valley, territory, and people.
3
It has a population of about 45 million people.
4
The capital of Argentina, and at the same time its largest city, is Buenos Aires. It is also one of the biggest cities in South America.
5
Buenos Aires has the world’s widest street. It consists of 14 lanes and four parallel streets. It is called Avenida 9 de Julio.
6
Argentina is boarded by five countries: Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, and Uruguay. It also claims the Falkland Islands archipelago and part of Antarctica.
7
It is the second-largest country in South America. It is also the eighth largest in the world.
8
At the beginning of the 20th century, Argentina was the seventh most economically developed country in the world. Numerous coups ended with the introduction of democracy in Argentina in 1983. In the nineties, a severe financial crisis resulted in Argentina founding its way into developing countries.
9
There are four major rivers in Argentina: the Paraná River, the Uruguay River, the Paraguay River, and the Salado River. The shared outlet to the Atlantic of the Parana River and the Uruguay River is called Rio de la Plata. It is an estuary, with a width of 220 kilometers by the ocean.
10
There are more than 400 rivers in the Patagonian Andes.
11
Argentina has numerous protected nature areas, among other 30 national parks. The most famous, present on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List, is Los Glaciares National Park and Iguazú National Park.
12
Argentina is home to animals typical for South America: llamas, jaguars, monkeys, armadillos, toucans, hummingbirds, nandu, parrots, and Patagonian sea lions that live along the coast, and sea lions, that live in the Mar del Plata area.
13
One of the biggest attractions of Argentina is a waterfall in Iguazu National Park. It consists of 270 cascades, and its width is about 2,500 meters.
14
The Andes are the natural border between Argentina and Chile. At the same time, their highest peak and the highest peak of the western hemisphere is Aconcagua – 6,962 meters above sea level.
15
Laguna del Carbón is the lowest point of Argentina and the Americas. It is a salt lake that lies 105 meters below sea level. At the same time, it is the seventh-lowest point on Earth.
16
The central part of the country consists of grassy plains called the Pampas. These are farmlands, and the gauchos raise and graze cattle there. Gauchos are South American cattle herders. They are usually descendants of Polish, Swedish, Dutch and Italian families.
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The southern part of the country is called Patagonia. It has a dry, windy climate with cold winters. In Patagonia live sea lions, seals, and penguins.
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Argentina is one of the most significant wine producers in the world.
19
The oldest university in South America is Universidad Nacional de Cordoba. It is located in Cordoba, the second-largest city in Argentina.
20
The official language in Argentina is Spanish.
21
Most of Argentine’s population live in urban areas. Only 12% of people live in rural areas, in latifundium and livestock estates.
22
The best beef comes from Argentina. Argentinians practice so-called extensive breeding, which involves free grazing of animals on vast meadows. Animals have at their disposal fresh grass, fresh air, sun, freedom of movement, and the breeding is stress-free. Meat from these cows is relatively high with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
23
Argentina is a homeland of tango, which occurs in UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage Site in 2009. Argentine’s tango is characterized by improvisation and closeness of partners.
24
The dominant religion of Argentina is Christianity. In 2013, an Argentine, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, became the first-ever South American pope. He took the name Francis.
25
Argentine’s national sport since 1953 is Pato. It is played on horseback and combines polo with basketball. The aim of the game is to place the ball into the basket. The name is a Spanish word meaning duck. Before players started using balls, they played with live ducks.
26
The Argentines introduced dactyloscopy into forensic science. The Argentine killer of her two children was the first criminal identified by fingerprint examination method.
27
The first-ever full-length animated film – “El Apostol” – was produced in Argentina.
28
At the turn of 2001 and 2002, Argentina had as many as five presidents within two weeks.
29
The first child born in Antarctica was a son of an Argentine – Silvia de Palma. His birth, which happened in 1978 was planned right there to strengthen the Argentine’s territorial claim of Antarctica.
30
After abolishing divorces in the 1980s, Argentina became the infamous leader in this area. Unofficially, the Argentines are claimed to be the most unfaithful nation of South America.
31
On the 29th of each month, the Argentines eat gnocchi. It is called Dia de Ñoquis, which means the Day of Gnocchi. Italian immigrants probably brought the tradition. Many restaurants have special gnocchi menus on the 29th.
32
Argentina has the highest number of psychologists per capita. It is said that almost everyone in Argentina is in therapy.
