25 Interesting Facts about Argentina

Want to know more about Argentina? Here are 25 Interesting Facts about Argentina that you probably didn’t know before reading this!

To make this even more fun, I want to challenge you as well. How many of these Argentina facts did you know before reading this? Share your result in the comment section!

1. Argentina is the eighth largest country in the world

With 2,780,400 km2 (1,073,500 square miles) in total land area, Argentina is one of the 10 largest countries in the world by size.

That is the same as 389 411 764 football fields.

2. Aconcagua is the tallest mountain at 6,962 meters

Not only is Aconcagua the tallest mountain in the country, but also on the continent, and even in the world outside of Asia. In fact, there are several Argentinian mountains that reach more than 6000 meters above the sea.

3. Home to beautiful Patagonia

If you love outdoors, and dream of seeing some magical landscapes while hiking. Patagonia might just be the best region in the world to do so.

Perito Moreno Glacier is especially spectacular as well as Bariloche and El Chaltén.

Photo: Shutterstock

4. Major political parties in Argentina produce their own craft beers

I have never heard of any other country’s political parties have their own brands of alcohol, but here they do. Each major political party has its own craft beer, and they brand them with political icons.

Perhaps, if they make a really good craft beer, they become more likable and people are more likely to vote for them.

5. When it’s summer in Europe and the US, it’s winter in Argentina

And vice versa. This is due to the fact that the country’s location is situated in the Southern Hemisphere. The same goes for South Africa, for example, or Australia and New Zealand.

Photo: Shutterstock

6. Their wine is world famous

The Malbec grape is especially popular, but there are plenty of grape varieties cultivated across the Argentine vineyards. They are also the fifth largest producer of wine in the world.

The first vine cuttings came here during the Spanish colonization in the 1500s, so wine is a long-going tradition and it’s well integrated into the Argentine culture.

7. Argentina has the highest number of psychiatrists per capita in the world

Apparently, there are 198 psychologists per 100,000 inhabitants. Most of them are in Buenos Aires, almost 50%.

Photo: Shutterstock

8. In 2001, Argentina had 5 presidents in 10 days

In November 2001, after the political crisis of the devaluation of the Argentine Peso, chaos erupted in the country. In just 10 days, there were 5 different presidents.

These were Fernando de la Rua, Ramon Puerta, Adolfo Rodriguez Saa, Eduardo Camaño, and finally Eduardo Duhalde who was named as president by the Congress on January 2nd, 2002.

9. Argentine cowboys are known as gauchos

A gaucho is a skilled horseman with a reputation of being brave and having exceptional lasso skills. They are a national symbol of both Argentina and Uruguay, as well as the southernmost region of Brazil.

They mostly live in the Pampas, which are fertile lowlands in the Buenos Aires, La Pampa, Santa Fe, Entre Ríos and Córdoba provinces.

Photo: Shutterstock

10. 37% of the Argentine population are of Italian descent

Some 95% of the Argentine population is said to have European ancestry, and out of this, it’s estimated that 37% are of Italian descent, making the country the place with most Italians outside of Italy.

Definitely one of many interesting facts about Argentina!

11. Argentines eat a lot of red meat

Some even say that the Argentinian population has the highest consumption of red meat in the entire world. If you eat meat, then a traditional Asado is definitely something that you would like to experience.

Photo: Shutterstock

12. The earliest evidence of humans in Argentina is dated to 7000 B.C

A famous painting depicting human handprints was found in Cueva de las Manos in Patagonia. Carbon dating suggests that the painting is 13,000 to 9,500 years old.

In the cave, other wall paintings were found as well of animals, humans, hunting scenes and different patterns.

13. Ernesto Che Guevarra was born in Rosario

Even though Che Guevarra is mostly connected to the Cuban revolution, he was born in the Argentinian city of Rosario.

14. In 1977, Argentina sent a pregnant mother to Antarctica

The reason for this was because they wanted to claim a portion of the continent. Emilio Palma was the first human to be born on the icy continent.

The estimated Argentine area of Antarctica is 1,461,597 km²where the actual land area measures 965,597 km².

15. It is the birthplace of Tango

You’ve probably heard of Tango, the sensual and passionate dance. But did you know that it originated in lower-class districts in Buenos Aires and Montevideo? The tango was frequently practiced in the brothels and bars of ports, and in the beginning, it was just one of many dances.

Since then, it has become a UNESCO cultural heritage, as well as becoming one of the most famous dance styles in the world.

Bonus fact: Diego Maradona is still a national hero

Few countries in the world are as passionate about football as the Argentinians. The most famous player of all time is undoubtedly Diego Armando Maradona, even though Lionel Messi is a strong contender.

He was the captain for the Argentine national team when they won the Fifa World Cup in 1986.

5 x Fun Facts about Argentina

Listening to the radio is still very popular
There are more cows than people
Pope Francis is born in Buenos Aires and worked as a bouncer before becoming the pope
Dinner is usually served and eaten late, from 10 pm and onwards
The intonation and hand gestures of many Argentines speaking Spanish is similar to Italian

Photo: Shutterstock

5 x Argentina Facts for Kids

The Rufous Hornero is the national animal of Argentina
Football is without a doubt the most popular sport
But the national sport of Argentina is pato, a game that is played on horseback
Yerba Mate is the national drink, a sort of tea made from young leaves of the holly tree
Europeans came to Argentina in the 1500s

Photo: sunsinger / Shutterstock.com

General Facts about Argentina

Below are some general info such as total population, land area, biggest lake, highest mountain and other general facts about Argentina that might be interesting to know.

Total Population: 44,27 million people
Capital: Buenos Aires
Life expectancy: 76,58 years
Highest Mountain: Aconcagua (6962 meters)
Land area: 2,780,400 km2 (1,073,500 square miles)
Largest Lake: Lago Argentino
National Day: Independence Day (9 July)
Government: Federal presidential constitutional republic
President: Mauricio Macri
Currency: Peso ($) (ARS)
Official language: Spanish
Religion: 70-90% Roman Catholicism
Member of Nato: No
National song: “En unión y libertad”
Time zone: UTC−3 (ART)
Country Number/Prefix: +54
Country Code: AR

Photo: Shutterstock

The Biggest Cities in Argentina

If you’re looking for facts about Argentina, it might also be interesting to know which are the biggest cities. Here’s a list of the top 10 biggest Argentinian cities ranked after population.