Argentina is famed worldwide for its vibrant spirit, vibrant tango culture and stunning natural beauty – yet locals may be unaware of some interesting facts about their home nation.
From later dinners to exquisite wines, Argentina’s Spanish and Mediterranean influences have left their mark on its culture. But did you know that its current Pope was once employed as a nightclub bouncer?
1. Argentina is the second-largest country in South America
Argentina boasts an incredibly varied landscape spanning from the Andes mountains in the west to Patagonian steppes in the south, from its towering Andes mountains in the west and vast Patagonian steppes in the south. A land of extremes, Argentina boasts high education and health care levels as well as strong European influences to its culture, which span forests, deserts tundra and plains across its incredible geography.
Argentina is home to many natural wonders, from breathtaking waterfalls and glaciers to national parks that preserve its beauty, and Argentina leads in renewable energy production.
Buenos Aires, the capital city, is one of the liveliest and vibrant cities in South America, boasting European-influenced architecture and an exciting tango scene that make it a top travel destination.
Early in the 20th century, Army officer Juan Peron developed his populist political philosophy known as “Peronism.” He championed many left-leaning policies including nationalizing large corporations and central banks; expanding health and welfare benefits; supporting organized labor; advocating women’s suffrage; abolishing military conscription.
Argentina is a democracy comprised of an executive, legislative, and judicial branch at the federal level as well as legislatures, governors, and judiciaries at each provincial level. Furthermore, each province has its own constitution mirroring that of its national constitution.
Argentina’s national identity is heavily defined by its cowboys of the pampas – also known as gauchos or cowboys. Skilled horsemen known as “gauchos,” or cowboys, serve as an emblematic representation of its rich cultural traditions, most notably Jose Hernandez’s epic poem El gaucho Martin Fierro; these skilled horsemen also play an essential part in pato, Argentina’s national sport which incorporates elements from both soccer and polo into one sport!
2. It’s the southernmost country in the world
Argentina is one of the world’s most captivating nations, known for its otherworldly landscape and fascinating history. Argentina was also a pioneer in social advancement – being first country in Latin America to legalize gay marriage and provide comprehensive transgender rights. Furthermore, they lead in environmental conservation, with many national parks and protected areas to preserve its beauty.
Argentina offers visitors much to experience, from its world-famous steak and wine to stunning natural sites such as Iguazu Falls and Perito Moreno Glacier. Argentina’s capital city Buenos Aires is known as “Paris of South America” due to the tango dance popularised there – Pope Francis himself hails from Buenos Aires where he worked as a nightclub bouncer while studying religious studies at Pontifical Urbaniana University (PUU).
Argentinians take their politics very seriously, engaging in some of the fiercest political debates in the world. When it comes to their heroes – from Eva Peron in Evita by Madonna, to other controversial politicians that have helped shape this nation – passion runs high and political heroes can either be loved or hated with great intensity.
Argentina’s most striking political fact is its claim on Antarctica, unrecognized by international organizations. In 1977, Argentina sent pregnant woman to their Esperanza Base so she could give birth there and become the first ever born on Antarctica (later named Emilio Palma). Argentina believed this action would demonstrate their undisputed ownership over this remote continent.
3. It’s home to the first person born in Antarctica
In 1977, Argentina sent an army captain’s wife pregnant with seven months gestation to Esperanza Base on Trinity Peninsula Antarctica when she was seven months gestation. On January 7, 1978 she gave birth to Emilio Palma – becoming the first ever person born there and the southernmost birth ever. Argentina claimed this child as their own in order to strengthen its claim on Antarctica but this wasn’t recognized internationally.
Once the baby boom began, Argentina and Chile sent couples to Antarctica in order to give birth and become native-born Antarcticans. This move was done for political purposes: both countries desired having citizens living on Antarctica that they could use in any potential disputes over its use in future disputes over sovereignty of Antarctica. Both Argentina and Chile achieved their desired result with 11 babies being born there between them.
Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina, boasts many beautiful and notable sites. Additionally, this bustling metropolis is renowned for its cuisine – particularly empanadas – a delicious pastry filled with meat or vegetables which has become one of the nation’s signature dishes. Additionally, this bustling metropolis also features stunning architecture and an active nightlife scene.
4. It’s the world’s leading producer of mate
Few drinks permeate Argentinian culture as deeply as mate. An infusion of Ilex paraguariensis leaves, drunk through a metal straw from a gourd, symbolizes social cohesion and provides income to many families. Mate’s stimulating psychoactive compounds reminiscent of theophylline and theobromine give its taste a distinctive earthy, vegetal, herbaceous and bittersweet characteristic that remains iconic to this day.
Seasonal workers like Sonia Lemos dedicate six months each year to harvesting yerba, the dried leaves from South American shrubs that serve as the basis of Argentina’s national beverage. She doesn’t know how she will provide for herself until her next harvest – due to take place two months hence.
Yerba is one of the country’s highest-value export products; accounting for 83% of its total monetary exports during 2007. Syria was its main recipient country at that time with over 83 million kilograms exported there and Chile following closely.
Misiones province’s central area, which comprises Cainguas, 25 de Mayo, Obera and Leandro N. Alem departments, produces the greatest volumes of green leaves that are collected, dried in their fields before being ground and milled before finally being made into various flavored preparations such as herbal infusions or sweet mate.
As part of a national effort to increase differentiation in this traditionally local product, a quality protocol for yerba has been approved. Facilities meeting its criteria will receive the “Alimentos Argentinos, una eleccion natural” seal; Las Marias was the inaugural company certified under this new yerba standard.
5. It’s the world’s largest wine producer
Argentina is home to both indigenous and European cultures, the birthplace of both tango and futbol, and natural wonders like Iguazu Falls and Perito Moreno Glacier which draw tourists from around the globe. Additionally, this wine-producing nation holds an impressive world-leading production record.
Argentina has produced wines for over 400 years; however, modern wine production only began to gain momentum during the mid 19th century. Thanks to an influx of immigrants from Europe (particularly Italy and Spain) the Argentinean wine industry quickly adopted new technologies, vineyard management methods, grape varieties and technologies; from 1880-1900 the planted vineyard hectareage increased fivefold!
Today, Argentinean wines are widely recognized as some of the finest worldwide. Particularly, those produced using Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. It should be noted, however, that much of Argentina’s production is consumed domestically (Argentineans are famously thirsty!) so quality may differ significantly between domestically consumed wines and those exported.
Fecovita Winery Group in Argentina employs over 5000 growers organized into 29 local co-ops that cover an area of 30,000 hectares, producing over 260 Million Liters in 2014.
However, family wineries remain the backbone of Argentinian winemaking despite this development. Each winery owns only 7 hectares of vineyards on average and employs around 72 people; due to exports, Argentina’s total wine production reached 1247 million liters by 2021 making them one of the five biggest wine producers globally!