Interesting facts about Argentina that will surprise you
Here are some fun facts about Argentina, the eighth-largest country in the world. To begin with, Argentina is home to a variety of flora. Argentina is home to roughly 10% of the world’s flora.
Argentina is quite an exciting place, and a lot of tourists visit the country every year. If you are planning a trip to the country, you might find these facts interesting.
What is the capital of Argentina?
Buenos Aires is the capital city of Argentina. It is the most populated city in Argentina with a population of roughly 15 million people. It is also the second-largest metropolitan area in South America.
The city of Buenos Aires is also famous for the lifestyle of its residents. The residents of Buenos Aires have the highest average household income in all of South America. Considering the fact that it has such a high population, such an income is impressive. Additionally, Buenos Aires attracts a large number of tourists from the around the world. The city has a lot to offer to tourists.
Where is Argentina located?
Argentina is located in South America. Argentina is a vast country. It is the second-largest country in the continent after Brazil and the eighth-largest country in the world. The country shares a border with Brazil, Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay and Paraguay.
What is the currency of Argentina?
The currency of Argentina is Peso (Argentine Peso). Surprisingly, the symbol of the currency is ‘$,’ the same as that of the dollar. The peso is divided into a hundred subunits. A Peso equals a hundred centavos.
One Argentine Peso equals 0.022 US Dollars at the time of writing, and in the same way, one US Dollar equals 4.17 Argentine Peso. The Argentina peso is suffering horrible inflation and most residents prefer US dollars or bitcoin. Many tourists travel to Uruguay to return with US dollars. Exchanged on the streets they are bought by locals at a premium.
Culture of Argentina
The culture of Argentina is a blend of Italian, Spanish, and European cultures. Music, art, cinemas, and sports are some of the things that you would find common amongst the citizens of Argentina. There are many museums, art galleries, and cinemas in the country. The people of Argentina are very passionate about sports. Football, however, is the most famous sport in the country.
The citizens of the country are lovely. It’s common for them to greet each other with a kiss on the cheek.
Where did Argentina get its name from?
The name of Argentina is derived from the Latin word ‘Argentum,’ which means ‘Silver.’ Behind the name of Argentina is a long history. Back in the fifteenth century, a Spanish conquistador Aleixo Garcia tried to loot Potosi as it was rich with silver. Unfortunately, he got killed. Some of his tribesmen who were with him returned to their countries with some silver.
The story of the river that leads to the ‘land of silver’ from comes from here. Through that the name Rio de la Plata came into existence, and that river happens to be in near Argentina. This is how the country got its name.
What are the popular sports in Argentina?
Due to the diversity in culture, there is a diversity in sports as well. People of different age groups take part in sports. Some of the popular sports are football, boxing, hockey, and golf. There are several other sports as well which are popular in the country. Football, however, is the most popular among all these, but, the national sports of Argentina is Pato.
Pato is a game that is played on a horse. The game path combines basketball and polo. The name of the game comes from the fact that pato is Spanish for duck. Also, a duck inside a basket was originally used to be used as a ball. This is one of many interesting facts about Argentina.
Argentina has one of the most successful teams in the world in football. They are also two-time world champions. They won their first World Cup in 1976 and the second one in 1986. Argentina is also three times runner up. In fact, they were the runners up in 2014 World Cup.
The number one football player in the world, Leonel Messi also plays for Argentina. The name ‘Magician’ has been given due to magical performances in a lot of matches. He has been a significant part of the team.
When is the independence day of Argentina?
The Independence Day in Argentina is July 9th. ‘Día de la Independencia’ means Independence Day in Spanish. Argentina became an independent country in 1816, and before that, the country was ruled by Spain.
What language do they speak in Argentina?
Spanish is the official language of Argentina and Argentinian Spanish is a little different from that of Spain. As a matter of fact, Argentina is one of the largest Spanish speaking country in the world. You can also distinguish the Argentinian Spanish from that of Spain by their accent. It is the primary language in the country, and most of the citizens speak the same. In order to obtain Argentine citizenship, you must prove that you know the country’s language.
The highest mountain in Argentina
Aconcagua is the highest mountain in Argentina. It is also one of the highest peaks in the entire world. Aconcagua has an altitude of 6959 meters above sea level. It is also the biggest mountain in South America. In fact, it is the highest mountain outside the Himalayas.
A considerable number of tourists come to witness the enormous sky-touching mountain. It is the center of attraction for tourists and serves as a hotspot in the country.
What are popular foods in Argentina?
Argentina is home to a variety of cuisines. Also, various local foods in the country are popular in the entire world. Argentine beef is famous around the world and one of the most popular foods in the country. Fainâ which is Argentine Pizza is unique in its own and is popular among the locals.
Tourists love that they get to experience such unique and mouth-watering cuisine, especially the beef and the wines. If you ever plan a trip to Argentina, make sure you try as many local dishes as possible
Tourism in Argentina
Argentina is a large country and has a lot to offer tourists. To begin with, there are several mountains in the country which attract tourists throughout the year. The highest peak in South America is also in Argentina. The pleasant climate of the country also plays a significant role in attracting such a large number of tourists as well.
Apart from these, there are many other beautiful places in the country as well. Argentina is home to a variety of flora and in fact, is a heaven for all nature lovers. Lakes, forests, and national parks also serve as tourist destinations in the country. Patagonia attracts crowds year round and Buenos Aires is a world class city.
The government of Argentina generates a significant amount of revenue from tourism. Tourists play a significant role in the economy of the country.
Is Argentina Safe for Tourists?
Yes, Argentina is safe for tourists if they take proper precautions. Crimes do happen in Argentina like any country. Tourist should be especially careful when in the capital Buenos Aires. Armed robberies are the biggest concern for tourists visiting Argentina.
Keeping valuables hidden is important when out in Buenos Aires. As a tourist it’s important to be aware of where you are in the city and was time of day or night it is. Armed robbery isn’t uncommon in South America so be sure to blend in and take proper precautions. If you follow these simple rules and don’t drink excessively, your safety as a tourist should be fine.
Some Fun Facts About Argentina for Kids
- The best football player in the world, Leonel Messi is from Argentina
- The longest river in Argentina is Parana
- Argentina is home to over ten percent of the world’s total flora
- There are about thirty-seven national parks in Argentina
- Spanish is the national language of Argentina
- Aconcagua is the highest mountain in Argentina with an altitude of 6,959 meters above sea level
- Argentinean wine is famous in the entire world
- Buenos Aires is the capital city of Argentina
- Argentina had five presidents in ten days in 2001
- Name of Argentina is derived from the Latin word ‘Argentums’
