Argentina

Argentina is the eighth-largest country in the world, famous for its colorful cities like Buenos Aries, inventing the tango, and being home to some of the best football (soccer) players in the world. 

Argentina is a Spanish-speaking country in South America. It’s the second-largest nation in the continent, right after Brazil. Due to European immigration, over 60% of the population has at least some Italian heritage. “Argentina” is actually Italian, meaning “made of silver.” Similarly to America, Argentina is considered a melting pot of racially diverse immigrants. 18% of the population are indigenous. While Spanish is the official language, dialects vary greatly depending on the region.

Although it was once the seventh wealthiest country in the world, years of war and civil unrest in the 70s and 80s have now marked the nation as a developing country. Political unrest was also dominant in the 2000s with violent riots in major cities and five different presidents within ten days. 

Performance arts holds significance in Argentina. Tango is one of its international culture symbols, and the country boasts of having one of the great theatre capitals of the world. The South American gem has an accomplished film industry, winning and being nominated for several Academy Awards. 

Pato, a horseback riding game, is Argentina’s national sport. However, the most popular sport is by far soccer. The Argentina men’s soccer team is one of the only in the world to have won the World Cup, Confederations Cup, and the Olympic Gold Medal. Its star player and captain, Lionel Messi, is considered the best player in the world and one the best in history.  

Argentina is a top destination for travelers to South America, with Buenos Aries being the most visited city in the continent. The country has the most colorful buildings in the world, the best steak in the world, and Iguazu Falls, the largest waterfall system in the world. It’s not hard to understand why Argentina sees over 5.5 million tourists a year. 

Cultural Snapshot

Argentinian culture is a delightful mix of laid-back, but full of life. The people are welcoming and enjoy dancing on the streets to live music. The nation leans liberal – 30% of Argentinian women undergo plastic surgery, and prostitution is legal. 

Faith Fact

Argentina practices freedom of religion and doesn’t have an official religion. However, much of the population is Roman Catholic, and one of the first popes from the Americas, Pope Francis, was from Argentina. Within the last decades however, Agnosticism and Atheism has doubled, and Roman Catholicism has decreased. 

Country Profile

Population: 45 million

Major Religions: 66% Roman Catholic, 21% Agnostic and Atheist

Languages: Spanish 

Literacy: 98%

Poverty: 37%