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15 Fun Facts about Argentina
There’s a good reason why Argentina saw the highest number of foreign visitors of any South American nation in 2019. Few tourists can resist Argentina’s numerous charms, which include its distinct cultural flare, breathtaking scenery, and, most importantly, such passionate people.
For this reason, we’ve compiled a list of 15 fun facts about Argentina.
Table of Contents
Introduction
South America’s Argentina occupies the majority of the continent’s southern region. Argentina, the eighth-largest nation in the world, is larger than the combined areas of Mexico and the U.S. state of Texas.
It has vast plains, tundra, woodlands, and deserts; it also includes enormous mountains, rivers, and thousands of kilometers of coastline on the ocean. Along with several South Atlantic islands, notably the British-ruled Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Argentina also claims a section of Antarctica.
Facts about Argentina
| Also Known As | República Argentina / Argentine Republic |
| Head Of State | Javier Milei |
| Population | (2024 est.) 47,225,000 |
| Population Rank | (2023) 31 |
| Official Language | Spanish |
| Currency Exchange Rate | 1 USD equals 833.901 Argentine peso |
| Official Name | República Argentina (Argentine Republic) |
| Capital | Buenos Aires |
15 Fun facts about Argentina
Did you know that Argentina has had a strong film industry for over a century and its president is among the most intriguing in history? Here are fun facts about Argentina:
Geographic Extremes in Argentina
The Southern Hemisphere’s highest and lowest points are located in Argentina. Mount Aconcagua, the world’s tallest mountain outside of Asia, has lethal Andean peaks up to 6,692 meters, while the little Laguna del Carbon salt lake is located 105 meters below sea level.
The Maradonian Church
You are undoubtedly aware that Argentines are among the world’s most devoted soccer fans, but did you also know that they have a religion honoring the late, great sports icon Diego Maradona? The “Maradonian Church,” or “La Iglesia Maradoniana,” was founded in Rosario in 1998. The faith has a parody of the Ten Commandments (our favorite being, “The ball is never soiled”) as well as its own church. It now has over 120,000 followers worldwide
Ethnic Composition of Argentina
Almost everyone in Argentina is from Europe. Although Buenos Aires and Argentina are sometimes characterized as a blend of indigenous and European influences, you might be shocked to learn that up to 97% of Argentinians are of European descent.
Late Night Dining in Argentina
Argentines have a late meal. What time of day do you think is appropriate for dinner? 6 p.m.? Maybe 7 o’clock? The majority of Argentines will not respond before 10 p.m. Sometimes supper lasts into the wee hours of the next day.
Summer in Argentina
December to February is when Argentina experiences its summer. Argentina’s seasonal cycles are the opposite of those in North America and Europe since it is located far below the equator. Between December and February, the intense summer heat sets in, with average highs of 54°F in June and July.
National Sport Pato
Soccer is not the national sport of Argentina. You might be shocked to learn that Argentina’s official national sport is really pato since the nation has a whole religion centered on a soccer player. In the sport of pato, which combines elements of basketball and polo, two teams of riders compete to toss the ball into the net of their rival.
Pato, which means “duck” in English, has been a part of the gaucho tradition for almost 400 years. The sport’s name comes from the fact that, back then, a dead duck wrapped in a leather bag was used in place of a ball.
National Beverage Yerba Mate
The national beverage is yerba mate. No, mate a hot, highly caffeinated beverage is the national beverage of Argentina instead of red wine. The earthy, somewhat bitter flavor is achieved by chopping and drying green yerba mate leaves before adding them to tea water.
Mate is regarded as a reliable source of energy and focus that stretches back to before Spanish colonialism. Nowadays, mate is a ubiquitous beverage across Argentina; in fact, the country’s culture revolves around it so much that November 30th is designated as National Mate Day.
The Enduring Legacy of Gauchos
The culture of Gauchos is vibrant and thriving. The mid-18th and early 19th centuries saw the emergence of the gauchos, the itinerant horsemen who are ingrained in Argentine legend and who traveled from place to place drawing attention to themselves wherever they went.
Actual Argentine cowboys are preserving the gaucho heritage today, and few people are more idealized in the country’s culture. The agricultural heartland of Argentina, the Pampas, is still home to them as they explore the countryside, tend to their livestock, and work the soil.
Argentina’s Turbulent Political Climate
A 10-day period in the past had five distinct presidents of Argentina. Over the past few decades, Argentina has made significant progress. However, at the start of the new century, it wasn’t always the case. The country was severely damaged by the financial crises in Brazil and Russia, which also caused the value of the Argentine peso to fall.
Argentina’s own financial crisis resulted in the country’s government falling in 2001. President Fernando de la Rua resigned amid violent protests, and four other presidents assumed office in the ensuing 10 days.
Argentina’s Therapy Culture
Argentina has a strong therapeutic culture. According to reports, Argentina has the highest density of psychologists per person worldwide. There were about 198 psychologists per 100,000 people in Argentina as of 2015; the vast majority of them are located in the country’s capital.
In contrast to several other nations, Argentina has de-stigmatized mental health. The majority of Buenos Aires residents, known as porteños, view therapy particularly psychoanalysis as a crucial aspect of daily life that aids in their personal growth.
Argentina’s Animation Legacy
Argentina produced the first animated feature film ever. You may be excused for thinking Walt Disney deserves this honor, but Quirino Cristiani, an Argentine, is really the one who created the first full-length cartoon ever. El Apóstol, his silent black-and-white film, was released in 1917, over a century ago.
Despite the tragic loss of El Apóstol in apartment cinema in 1928, Cristiani’s influence may still be seen in Argentina’s booming film industry today. Argentina boasts the fourth-highest box office revenue in Latin America, making it an excellent destination for movie enthusiasts with a varied taste in filmmaking.
Women Presidents of Argentina
Two women have held the presidency of Argentina. Only a few nations have two women in the top leadership roles, including Argentina. Argentina’s first female president, Isabel MartÃnez de Perón, was constitutionally not elected; rather, she was banished to Spain and put under house arrest after her husband passed away in office in 1974.
During his time, Fernández de Kirchner enjoyed greater success. She was elected president of Argentina in 2007 and held the office for eight years, ending in 2015.
Argentina’s Gigantic Titans
Argentina was previously home to the biggest land mammal on Earth. In the 2012 Patagonian deserts, a new species of titanosaur was found that is thought to be the biggest land animal ever. According to recent studies, the largest known dinosaur, the Argentinosaurus, which was also discovered in Argentina, may have been surpassed in size.
Paleontologists estimate that the enormous beast, which roamed in present-day Patagonia 98 million years ago, may have been longer than 120 feet comfortably larger than a mature blue whale.
Argentina’s Meat Culture
The world’s largest red meat intake is found in Argentina. You will understand this reality completely when you attend your first asado. Argentina is a meat lover’s delight, offering everything from soft chorizo to fire-grilled ribs. It’s easy to understand why locals indulge in red meat a bit more than is probably healthy.
Don’t let Argentina’s penchant for meat prevent you from traveling there if you’re a vegetarian; more vegan restaurants are opening up in the country’s major cities as a result of a growing culinary revolution.
Frequnetly Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is special about Argentina?
Argentina is well-known for its world-class dancing, music, and wine.
What are 3 cultural facts about Argentina?
Cultural Attributes:
For Argentines, personal relationships, education, family, and prosperity are all very important.
Family:
The mother bears the primary responsibility for parenting the children.
Personal Appearance:
Modern clothing is worn by the majority of individuals, particularly in cities.
What is Argentina’s nickname?
Referred to as “The White and Sky Blue,” or La Albiceleste, they are the reigning world champions, having won the most recent World Cup in 2022 and claimed the third star, symbolized by the team’s insignia.
What are 2 fun facts about Argentina?
By land area, Argentina is the second-biggest nation in Latin America and the ninth-largest in the world.
The early Spanish explorers thought the land was rich in silver, the name of the nation is derived from the Latin word for silver, “argentum.”
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