We’re here to share a few facts about Argentina. Nestled in the southernmost region of South America, Argentina is a fascinating country with breathtaking landscapes, a vibrant cultural heritage, and a rich history.
From the majestic Iguazu Falls and the awe-inspiring Perito Moreno Glacier to the pulsating streets of Buenos Aires, Argentina offers a tapestry of experiences that will leave you spellbound. Delve into the world of passionate tango, indulge in succulent asado, and immerse yourself in the wild beauty of Patagonia. Argentina awaits, ready to enchant and amaze you at every turn.
With its blend of European and indigenous influences, Argentina is a nation of captivating contrasts. Explore historical landmarks, savor the flavors of Malbec wine, and witness the passionate spirit of the milongas. Whether drawn to its natural wonders or cultural marvels, Argentina invites you to uncover its vibrant tapestry and embark on an unforgettable adventure.
To Be Worshipped Like Maradona
Let’s start off these facts about Argentina with a popular one. When it comes to famous soccer players from Argentina, none come close to Maradona. He is so revered in the country that religion was started in his honor. The Church of Maradona is situated in Rosario and has around 120,000 members and its commandments!
That’s One Wide Street!
In Buenos Aires, you’ll find the world’s widest street, which is 459 feet wide with 16 lanes. The Grand Avenida 9 de Julio is worth checking out in town as it has historical landmarks.
Dogs Love Buenos Aires
Dogs love Buenos Aires, and so do their owners. Almost 90% of the city’s residents own a pet, with dogs being the most common.
Many shops, cafes, restaurants, and other businesses leave water bowls outside their entrances so dogs can sip while walking with their human companions on hot days. Some cafes and restaurants even allow pets to accompany their families while wine and dine.
Going To Extremes
There are many ways to claim ownership of something, but when Argentina decided that it wanted to claim ownership of Antarctica, it took some extreme measures to do so.
In 1977, the country sent a seven-month pregnant woman to the remote continent to give birth to the first person ever born there. Emilio Palma was born a few months later, but the plan didn’t work in Argentina’s favor!
Argentineans Are Passionate About Yerba Mate
Known as the national drink of Argentina, Yerba Mate is very popular among residents, but if you want to try it as an outsider, you better do your research because there are a lot of rules and etiquette surrounding the drink, from how it is made to how it’s consumed. A special straw, a “bombilla” is used to sip this drink. Yerba Mate is more than a great pick-me-up but also a social drink.
Argentina Has Had Two Female Presidents
This is one of the most interesting facts about Argentina! The first woman to hold the position of president was Isabel Perón, but she wasn’t elected. Her husband was president, and when he passed away, she took his place and held it for two years.
The second woman to be Argentina’s president was Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, who was elected and remained in office for eight years.
All’s Good And Fair In Buenos Aires
Have you wondered what Buenos Aires means? The capital city of Argentina was named by the Spanish Conquistadors who arrived in the 1500s, and when translated to English, it means “good airs” or “fair winds.”
Argentina is A Land of Diversity
Sprawling cities, sparkling glaciers, remote deserts, sandy beaches, rugged coastline, lush rainforests, snow-capped mountains, and crystal-clear glacial lakes are just some of the natural features of Argentina’s vast and diverse landscape.
Argentineans Eat A lot Of Beef
If you’ve ever been to Argentina, you’ve likely noticed steakhouses everywhere, so if you’re a beef lover, this may be one of your favorite facts about Argentina.
Barbecues are popular, too, and at the center of these family gatherings is a feast of beef. Beef from Argentina is loved worldwide, but it’s most loved at home, where the average person consumes 49.7 kilograms of it a year!
Who Is Ernesto?
Ernesto Guevara is, without a doubt, the most famous freedom warrior to come out of Argentina, and if you think you’ve never heard of him before, perhaps the name Che Guevera rings a bell. Translated into English, Che means “mate” or “man,” and it’s a nickname that stuck with him his whole life.
A Big Place
Regarding size, Argentina places eighth in a list of the largest countries in the world. It’s the second-largest country in South America.
Argentinian Moms Are Proud Their Sons Grow Up To Be Gauchos
In the 1700s and 1800s, roving cowboys roamed the land, and images of these rugged men riding into the sunset have long been a part of Argentine folklore.
Known as Gauchos, these traditional cowboys still roam the country’s rural areas and still dress much the same as they did years ago.
Pato: The Argentinian National Sport
If you thought soccer was the national sport of Argentina, no one would fault you for thinking that, but they might tell you that you’re wrong because Pato has been the national sport since 1953. The game is played on horseback, and on numerous occasions throughout history, it was banned because so many people were being injured, including the ducks that were unwilling participants. Today, a ball is used instead of ducks, but people still get injured occasionally.
Beautiful Laguna del Carbon
Situated in Los Glaciares National Park, Laguna del Carbon is one of the most unspoiled lakes on Earth. Its pristine natural state is mostly due to its remote location and the lack of human activity surrounding it. The fact that the Southern Patagonian Ice Field feeds it means that the lake’s waters are incredibly clear.
It also happens to be the lowest point in Argentina and the Americas. This makes it the seventh lowest point on earth at 105 meters (344 ft) below sea level. There have been several notable dinosaur fossils discoveries around the lake.
Predominantly European Heritage
Around 97% of Argentineans have European heritage. If you break it down even more, most people can trace their roots back to Spain or Italy.
Quite The Discovery
It happened twice, in 2008 and again in 2012. I’m talking about discovering the skeletal remains of the largest dinosaur and land animal. A farmer in Patagonia unearthed the first one, and that record was broken by a discovery in Neuquen Province in 2012.
Five Presidents In Ten Days
There was a wild period of political instability in Argentina during the economic crisis 2001 which resulted in the president’s resignation. During the ten days that followed his resignation, five other presidents went on to govern the country.
Three-time World Champions
It’s no secret that Argentineans love their soccer, and as of 2022, the country has won three World Cup Tournaments.
From Night Owl To Head Of The Catholic Church
If you’re Catholic this may be one of those Argentina facts you already know.
Pope Francis was born in Argentina, and before he went on to serve as the head of the Catholic Church, he served as a nightclub bouncer in Buenos Aires.
Majestic Iguazu Falls
Iguazu Falls isn’t the largest waterfall on earth, but it’s the largest broken waterfall on earth, with 275 individual cascades spanning more than two miles. This incredible natural wonder is found on the country’s border with Brazil.
The Largest Population Of Magellanic Penguins Is In Argentina
Most of the adorable Magellanic Penguins in Argentina can be found along the coast in the Patagonia area, and the country’s entire population of these birds is the largest in the world. They are something to see in their natural habitat; visitors can watch out for them on beaches and in offshore waters.
What’s In A Name?
Many Europeans came to Argentina to mine silver. The Latin word for silver is Argentum. Can you see how the country got its beautiful name?
A Long Battle For Independence
The Argentine War of Independence, the Civil War that started in 1810 and was a battle to achieve independence from Spain, lasted eight years.
Argentina Is Home To A Famous Glacier
When it comes to natural wonders in Argentina, there are many, but none come close to the spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier. People from around the world come to Los Glaciares National Park to see this unique glacier in that it’s the only one that continues to grow while others are shrinking.
Perito Moreno covers 97 square miles and is one of over 300 glaciers in the country, 40 of which are in this national park.
Tangoing From Rags To Riches
Most people are familiar with The Tango, a dance that originated in the poorer areas of Buenos Aires. At first, the affluent people of the city thought this dance to be too sleazy for their liking, but that changed once they saw that the dance was taking off in other places around the world.
A World Book Capital
Argentineans like to read and they like to write too! Many literary greats called the country home throughout history, but in Buenos Aires, you’ll find the one thing that solidifies the country’s love of the written word: bookstores. Many, Many bookstores!
The city has the highest number of bookstores per capita in the world, with more than 700 stores of all sizes.
Futbol Is King
Although Soccer, or Futbol as it’s called in Argentina, is not the country’s national sport, it is the most popular sport.
The Meaning Of The Flag
The flag of Argentina, which has been in use since 1812, is instantly recognized by its blue and white horizontal bands with a sun in the middle. The bands symbolize the parting of the blue sky to reveal white clouds, and the Sun of May represents the Incan God of the Sun.
A Classic Argentine Greeting
While not as common in some areas of the country, a popular tradition in some parts sees men greeting one another with a kiss on the cheek.
Argentina Is Home To A Lot Of Cattle
Argentina has one of the largest cattle populations in the whole world, with over 14 million.
A Land Of Epic Highs And Lows
The highest and lowest points in the Southern Hemisphere are in Argentina. Mount Aconcagua is the highest at 6,962 meters, and Laguna del Carbon is the lowest at 105 meters below sea level.
Nuclear Weapons Aren’t Off The Books
Argentina never made any nuclear weapons, but the country did run a nuclear weapons program for many years. During that time, a decision was made that the country would not sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Argentina is the only country in South America that hasn’t signed this treaty.
An Animated First
Even before Walt Disney, another man, Quirino Cristiani, worked on an animated film. That film, El Apostol, was completed in 1917 and was the first animated feature film in the world.
A Welcoming Country
Immigrants have always been welcome in Argentina, particularly those fleeing war, persecution, and other dangerous situations.
During the Nazi era, many Jewish people from Germany fled to the country. Incredibly, many Nazis were also accepted into the country after World War II, and both groups were accepted and lived in harmony in their new home.
A War That Wasn’t A War
Although the fighting lasted 74 days, the Falklands War between Argentina and Britain was never declared war by the British government. The British Government refers to it as the Falklands Conflict.
The islands are near Argentine territorial waters, but most of the population is descendants of British settlers. Argentina has contested the United Kingdom’s claims over the islands since 1833 and continues to do so today.
Late Dinner Away From Home Is Typical In Argentina
It is more common for Argentineans to enjoy dinner outside their home at a restaurant than staying home and cooking a meal. It is also the norm for that last meal of the day to take place much later, usually around 9 PM.
A One-Of-A-Kind Name
Officials in the small town of Rosario, where celebrated football star Lionel Messi lives, banned townspeople from naming their kids after the sports hero. This was done out of fear that the name would become too popular, resulting in too many people having the same name in the same town.
Amazing Ushuaia
The remote city of Ushuaia is known for its spectacular natural scenery, outdoor adventure opportunities, and seasonal whale migration. It’s also known for being the southernmost city in the world!
I hope you enjoyed these fun Argentina facts! If you know any you think we should add please leave a comment and let us know!
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