Collection of Facts about Argentina: Best Traditions & Travel Destinations

Argentina, also known as the land of silver mountains, is the eighth largest country in the world (by territory size) and is subdivided into twenty-three separate regions with the capital in Buenos Aires.

This will be probably the most commonplace fact about this country that we wanted to provide in this list, which is continued after this interactive video presentation.



Argentina: 5 Facts about an Interesting South American Country

#1. The top attractions

The Iguazu Falls is the main tourism attraction the country and this natural landmark, the summit of which exceeds 82 meters (269ft), is the first thing that many people remember, when they think about this South American country.

The most colorful and attractive for all visitors place in Buenos Aires is the Caminito Street. The abundance of colors, brightly painted houses, amusing statues, restaurants, retail shops and street musicians turn the visit to this street to an experience of a lifetime.

#2. The highest mountain

With its peak reaching the 6962 m (22,841ft) height, the Aconcagua is the highest mountain in South America.

#3. The widest street

The capital of Argentina is home to the widest avenue in the world. It is called "9 de Julio Avenue" and there are thousands of addresses of houses and buildings appointed to this avenue.

#4. Festival movements

Argentina is a regular host of numerous carnivals and festivals. In order to see some of the world’s best festival celebrations, one should visit this country in February.

#5. Beauty standards

Women in Argentina prefer long hairstyles, so women visit local hairdressers to have their hair dyed or to have a new hairstyle but rarely to alter the length of it. Argentinean females and even males pay close attention to their looks and don’t hesitate to improve their looks, even it requires a plastic surgery. This country is one of the leaders in South America by the number of plastic surgeries performed.

#6. Gestures and non-verbal communication

In many countries, especially in #Spain, people use a large variety of non-verbal signs and gestures in their communication. While rotating the forefingers back and forth around one's temple may be offensive in many European countries, in Argentina a gesture, when a person performs a circular motion around the temple, means that the companion is actually thinking about something or processing something that he/she has just heard.

#7. National flag

Argentinians are known as the passionate patriots of their country. So it's not unusual to see a national flag handing from the window of almost every house during the national holidays. Moreover, a national flag is found almost in every family.

#8. Animals in the Lujan Zoo

There are many unusual zoos out there. We have already posted about Orana Zoo in New Zealand, where, instead of animals, the visitors get to stay in cages, in order to witness #lions in their natural habitat.

The Lujan Zoo, in Argentina, has a unique offer for their visitors too - visitors are allowed to visit wild animals in cages and take photos under the supervision of the zoo staff.

#9. Most popular types of sport

Football (soccer) is the country's most favorite sport; some people claim that football is treated like a passion here. The sport is so important that teachers sometimes let their students go home earlier in order to visit the most crucial matches or championships. Apart from soccer, people play pato here: it's a game that looks like a combination of basketball and polo.

#10. Internationally famous dishes

The residents of this country love dishes, which contain meat, especially beef. Moreover, Argentina is one of largest beef producers in the world. Every tourist should be treated to an asado, which is a dish prepared with the help of traditional barbecue techniques. During the barbecue, the meat dishes are cooked by a specially trained Asador, a person, who knows all the secrets to make the meat was tender and juicy.

#11. Football – the nationwide passion

Every resident of this country treats soccer (football) with great respect. But who wouldn’t, if two of the most prominent players of the last 100 years, Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona, defended the colors of their national team.

#12. Dinosaurs and paleontological finds

Argentina is the place, where most of recent important paleontological discoveries were made. Modern science claims that many years ago it was the land of Giganotosaurus, Argentinosaurus and Eoraptor.

Other quick facts worth knowing and remembering:

- Empanada is probably the most popular dish any tourist can buy - it's a type of pastry with different fillings.

- Argentines are known to possess such valuable traits as patience and politeness, so it is unusual for them to be rude, especially to strangers.

- Love for animals in this country is proven by the presence of numerous veterinary clinics and special shops for pet owners.

- Just like in London and other big cities, the cabs and taxis have their own specific paintjob. So if you need to catch a cab, look for a black car with a yellow roof. Taxi drivers in this country are known to be very friendly and sociable.

- In 2001 the country went through a significant political crisis - in just 12 days Argentina changed four presidents.

- Like many other nationalities, the Argentines have their stereotypes and unusual beliefs. For example, it is believed that opening an umbrella in the room is a sign for bad luck.

- Since 2011 Iguazu Falls belong to the list of the Seven Wonders of the World.

- The Argentine city of Ushuaia is the southernmost inhabited place on Earth.

- Visit Puerto Madryn in order to witness numerous dolphins, Southern right Whales and other marine animals, which come to this region to perform their mating rituals.

- Bariloche is one of the most picturesque places for every lover of beautiful natural scenery and views of endless forests and beautiful lakes.

- The fish, caught off the coast of Argentina, is rarely consumed by the local residents because most of it is being exported.

- The residents of this country boast with their high life expectancy - 70-80 years.

- Mount Aconcagua has the highest peak in South America.

- It is customary for every young couple, who chose to get married, to organize the wedding reception without the help of their parents.

- On Saturdays many Argentine families like to cook and serve a traditional dish called asado (it can be compared to a meat dish roasted on a grill).

- Here many people choose to have their vacations during the winter months.

- It seems that punctuality is not the most important trait for many Argentines. Showing up half an hour late for an informal meeting is not considered a big deal.

- calabash (bottle gourd) is used to make a special container for the national alcohol-free drink - mate.

- When it comes to small talk, the Argentines usually discuss one of the two hottest topics: politics and football.

- Tourists should not forget to greet and say goodbye to the Argentines, as it is considered a highly rude and arrogant thing to do.

- The Colon Theater is the largest Opera and Ballet Theatre in South America and acts as the center classical music movement in the region.

- The Drake Passage, which connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, is considered to be the widest on Earth. Even its narrowest part stretches for more than 800 kilometers (500 mi).

- The local guides here regularly organize tours to Antarctica.

- The history of the country is treated with great respect that is why, when visiting this country any tourist is treated to a large variety of museums: there are over one hundred and twenty of them only in the capital, Buenos Aires.

- Argentina is home to one of the most passionate dances in the world - the tango.

- The presence of considerable reserves of uranium in this country, enable scientists to develop new usages of nuclear power and improve the uranium industry.

- Meat products are a vital part of the Argentinean cuisine, as the result this country belongs to the top 10 of world's breeding cattle countries.

- In Argentina family relations are greatly valued, so it is customary to keep in close touch even with the most distant relatives.

- In this country the mass media are completely independent from the government and government-related organization, which is very uncommon for most of South American countries.

Image credits:

1) www.wallscreenhd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/argentina_flag_fly_in_mountain_wallpaper_hd___wallscreenhd.jpg