Get to know Argentina

Colorful city of Buenos Aries, Argentina | Photo by Jeffrey Eisen on Unsplash

1. Virtually all Argentines hail from Europe Argentina (and especially Buenos Aires) is often described as a fusion of European and indigenous influences, but you may be surprised to hear that as many as 97% of Argentinians descend from Europe.

   
   

   The most prominent ethnic group is Italian, followed closely by Spanish, though many others abound including Afro-Argentinians and small pockets of Native Americans. All of these groups make up Argentina’s vivid cultural tapestry.
   

2. Argentina’s national sport isn’t soccer...

   

   Pato is the official national sport of Argentina

   For a country with an entire religion dedicated to a soccer player, you may be surprised to hear that Argentina’s official national sport is actually pato. Pato is a kind of mix between polo and basketball, where two teams on horseback attempt to throw a ball into the opponent’s net.

   Literally meaning ‘duck’, pato has its roots in gaucho culture and dates back more than 400 years. In those days, a dead duck wrapped in a leather bag was used instead of a ball, hence the sport’s name.
   

3. Argentina’s summer months are from December to February

   Sitting deep below the equator, Argentina’s seasonal cycles are the reverse of those found in North America and Europe. Scorching summer heat arrives between December and February, while temperatures drop to an average of about 54°F in June and July.
   

   

   Photo by Sergio Arteaga on Unsplash

4. Argentina has the highest consumption of red meat in the world

   Once you attend your first asado, this fact will begin to make perfect sense. From fire-grilled ribs to tender chorizo, Argentina is a meat lovers’ paradise—you can hardly blame locals for indulging in red meat a little more than they probably should!
   

5. Argentina is the birthplace of tango

   This popular type of music and dance originated in the working-class neighborhoods of Buenos Aires in the late 19th century. Characterized by a syncopated rhythm and a ‘tango beat’, tango music traditionally features a bandoneon (a type of accordion) and other instruments like a guitar and a violin. In 2009, UNESCO recognized tango as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity – quite the accolade.
   

   

   Photo by Alain Bonnardeaux on Unsplash