10 FUN FACTS ABOUT ARGENTINA: THE COUNTRY OF A THOUSAND AND ONE LANDSCAPES
We reached the southern tip of the South American continent, and this time we are on our own turf. The entire # ElEspañolEnElMundo cycle was sparkled with fun facts and unique aspects of each Latin American country, highlighting their local culture and particular use of Spanish, as it coexists with other native languages. Today, we devote our final session to Argentina, our country of origin. With endless magical landscapes and expansive lands, its cultural diversity makes it a unique and memorable destination.
1) Argentina: the land of silver
The origin of the name Argentina traces back to the beginning of the Spanish conquest and colonization of America. Spain and Portugal disputed their supremacy over these lands and rich environment. As their names well depict it, the words Argentina and Río de la Plata evoke the search for the coveted treasures of Sierra de la Plata. In 1554, the Argentine Republic's current territory appeared in the Portuguese Lopo Homem maps with the name “Terra argétea” or “argentea,” from the Latin argentum, which means silver.
This territory has bared many different names throughout history: Government of Río de la Plata, Viceroyalty of Río de la Plata, United Provinces of Río de la Plata, United Provinces of South America, Argentine Confederation, and Argentine Nation. The last name change came about in 1860 when the Argentine Republic's official name was established by decree.
2) Aconcagua: the highest peak in the Americas
With an altitude of 6,960.8 meters above sea level, Aconcagua is the second-highest mountain in the world - after Mount Everest in the Himalayans (Asia) - the highest peak in the Southern and Western hemispheres and in all of the Americas.
It is located in the province of Mendoza, in the Andes Mountains. The national park surrounding the mountain serves as a base for the few thousand hikers who attempt to reach its summit every year.
3) The widest avenue in the world
In the capital city of Buenos Aires, Avenida 9 de Julio extends 110 meters wide (361 feet), with 16 lanes. Considering the two parallel streets that function as "extra lanes" (Carlos Pellegrini and Cerrito), the avenue runs approximately 140 meters across (451 feet) with 22 lanes in total.
Along this grand avenue are two of the main tourist destinations in Buenos Aires: the Colón Theater and the Obelisk.
4) The largest Spanish-speaking country
Argentina is the 8th largest Spanish-speaking country, with an area of 2,766,890 km2 (1,073,500 sq mi.) While it is the second-largest country in South America, it is only a third of Brazil's size, which is the largest.
The city of Ushuaia - at Argentina’s most southern tip - and the town of La Quiaca - at Argentina’s northwest border with Bolivia - are 3,643 km (2264 miles) apart.
Argentina is so expansive that most European countries could fit in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Great Britain, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Austria, and Hungary.
We've all heard about the 7 natural wonders of the world. In fact, Argentina has declared its own 7 wonders: Perito Moreno Glacier, Iguazu Falls, Valley of the Moon, Humahuaca Quebrada, Aconcagua Mountain , Arrayanes Forest and Cerro de los Siete Colores.
6) The widest river in the world
The Río de la Plata is considered the widest river globally, spanning 219 km (134 miles) at its widest point. This freshwater giant separates Argentina from Uruguay. On the west bank is the city of Buenos Aires, and on the east bank is Montevideo.
The river supports commercial shipping, as well as different sports, such as sailing and kayaking.
7) Several tongues, one official language
Fifteen indigenous languages are currently spoken in Argentina: Ava-Guaraní, Aymara, Chané, Chorote, Chulupí, Guaraní, Mapudungun, Mbyá Guaraní, Mocoví, Pilagá, Qom (Toba), Quechua, Tapiete, Vilela, and Wichí. Each with varying degrees of vitality and different geographical distribution. Grand Chaco's region houses the most indigenous groups in the country: nine other indigenous groups, nine different languages.
Even though the official language is Spanish, in several provinces, the indigenous languages have been declared endoglossic in recent years. This is the case of Guarani in Corrientes province in 2004 and Mocoví, Qom, and Wichí, in Chaco province in 2011.
8) Lunfardo: Buenos Aires slang
Lunfardo is an argot that originated and developed in Buenos Aires. Other nearby cities like Santa Fe, Rosario, and Montevideo (Uruguay) also contributed to the slang vocabulary from its onset. It is a product of the languages of the waves of immigrants that arrived in Argentina in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many of whom lived in crowded apartment buildings and needed to communicate with one another. Over time, Lunfardo was spoken by large sections of the population, not just the lower classes. It was adopted in everyday life through artistic expressions such as tangos and sainetes.
Pibe, macana, chamuyo, laburo, mina, banquina, guita, trucho, chabón, and gil are just some of the country’s vernacular. Lunfardo includes approximately 6,000 terms, with new ones added every year.
9) Soccer fanatics, not mere fans
Although soccer is the most popular sport in the country, polo is the national sport.
Soccer matches are as much an occasion for extreme euphoria in Argentina as in the neighboring countries: Uruguay, Brazil, and Chile. No matter what team is playing, Argentinean soccer fans are always passionate, especially when it comes to a "classic" match between rival teams.
The first association with the word “Argentina” is usually “soccer”, even in the most remote places on earth. In particular, Diego Maradona, the greatest idol of Argentine soccer —recently deceased— who was part of the national team that won the world champion in 1986; and in recent years, Lionel Messi, born in Rosario.
10) Inventors of the pen
Known in Argentina as "birome" (an acronym for the surnames Biro and Meyne), the pen we know today was invented in the 1940s by the Hungarian journalist nationalized Argentine Ladislao José Biro. The purpose of this invention was to help left-handed people avoid smearing ink.
(1).png)
(1).png)
(1).png)
