THE Argentina, whose official name is the Argentine Republic, is a country located in southern South America, the biggest after Brazil. It is among the ten largest countries in the world.
In terms of population, it is the third most populous country in South America, behind Brazil and Colombia.
It is bathed by the Atlantic Ocean and borders Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul are the Brazilian states that border the country.
Interestingly, the name Argentina comes from the Latin argentum, which means “silver”. That's because, according to legend, Argentina would be rich in this metal.
South America Map
General data
- Capital: Buenos Aires
- Territorial extension: 2,791,810 km²
- Population: Approximately 41 million (2015 data)
- Climate: mostly seasoned
- Language: Spanish
- Religion: Catholicism
- Coin: Argentinian peso
- Government system: Presidential republic
Flag
THE Argentina flag, the country's official symbol, carries blue and white colors in three horizontal stripes.
In the middle stripe (white) there is a sun in gold color with a human face inside. This representation of the sun is known as the “May sun”.
It is a reference to the revolution that took place between May 18 and 25, 1810, which aimed at independence from Spain.
Economy
Argentina's economy is the second strongest in South America. Thus, the country is one of the members of the Group of 20 (G20), a forum that brings together the 20 most economically influential countries.
Industry is the largest economic sector and tourism, without a doubt, is one of the main activities in the country.
The country is a good exporter and has a well-developed agriculture due to the fertility of its soil. A large part of the products exported by Argentines are agricultural.
Culture
Although from the 1950s onwards, immigration has decreased as a result of immigration rules that were implemented, Argentina is a country of immigrants.
For this reason, its culture reveals characteristics, customs and lifestyles taken by European immigrants, especially Spanish and Italian.
O tango it is one of the main symbols of Argentina, and is considered a world heritage site. This sensual dance is an artistic expression that is a true mark of Argentineans, being one more way to attract people from all over the world to the country.
In addition to tango, they are also world heritages:
- pit of hands, a cave famous for having several hands painted by indigenous people inside.
- Ischigualasto and Talampaya, nature reserves that are archaeological sites.
- Apple and Jesuit Estancias, imposing constructions made for the Jesuits where there is a university, a church and housing. These are the main tourist attractions in Cordoba, the second largest Argentine city in terms of population.
- Jesuit Guarani Missions, preserved ruins of the constructions made at the heights of the Jesuits' missions in places inhabited by Guarani.
- Iguacu National Park, two thirds of this park belongs to Argentina.
- Los Glaciares National Park it is one of the largest parks in the country. This natural landscape of mountains and ice was considered a UNESCO heritage in 1981.
- Peninsula Valdes, located in Patagonia, is teeming with whales, seals and other marine animals and migrating birds.
- Qhapaq Nan, which means “main path”, is a route that is more than 30 thousand kilometers long and more than 2000 years old.
- Quebrada de Humahuaca, an isolated valley whose habitation dates back more than 10 thousand years.
- Porteño Fileteado, a style of decorative art, a typical painting from Buenos Aires that uses spirals and strong colors.
Despite standing out in other sports, the soccer is an attraction that moves tourist activity in Argentina. It is the most popular sport and for which Argentines have a great passion.
With regard to gastronomy, Argentina is especially known for its barbecue. There is a lot of beef consumption. In addition, the sausages and empanadas are famous.
Various types of pastas and pizzas are also part of its menu, which is due to the influence of Italian immigrants.
Argentina is a great wine producer, which has very good drinkers. The infusion of mate is another drink that cannot be lacking in the country.
provinces
The country is divided into 7 regions: Center, Cuyo, Mesopotamia, Northwest Argentina, Pampas, Patagonia and North.
Argentina has 23 provinces and one Federal District, the Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires:
- Province of Buenos Aires
- Catamarca, Chaco, Chubut, Córdoba, Corrientes
- Between Rivers
- Formosa
- Jujuy
- La Pampa, La Rioja
- Mendoza, Misiones
- Neuquen
- Rio Negro
- Salta, San Juan, San Luis, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santiago del Estero
- Tierra del Fuego, Tucumán
The 23 provinces of Argentina and their respective capitals
Attractions
Bariloche it is a popular destination for Brazilians looking for snow. In addition to the beautiful natural landscape, which invites you to practice sports and hikes, the city has a very interesting offer for gastronomy and nightlife.
Another very popular city is Rosary, known as the birthplace of the Argentine flag. The Flag Monument is located in it, as it was in the Parque Nacional da Bandeira that the country's flag was raised for the first time.
Ushuaia it is also a popular tourist destination. It is in the southernmost city in the world, known as “the city at the end of the world”, that the Museum of the End of the World was built in 1903.
In this museum, the visitor finds information about local history and indigenous culture. In addition, there are data on shipwrecks that happened in the vicinity of the city.
At waterfalls of Iguaçu they form a large group of 275 waterfalls, known at least by name to Brazilians. It is a spectacle of nature that is a world heritage site. The Iguaçu Falls are located in Argentina and also in Brazil, in the state of Paraná.
Continue your search:
- South American countries
- Independence of Spanish America
- platinum america
- Latin America
- OAS - Organization of American States
- Spanish colonization
- Avoid Peron
