Argentina, the world’s eighth-largest country by area, sprawls across a significant portion of South America, extending from the Southern Andes to the Atlantic Ocean.
This diverse nation is renowned for the untamed beauty of Patagonia where there are Instagram-worthy views everywhere you look.
Penguins gracefully waddle along the southern Atlantic shores, and majestic whales can be observed in their natural habitats.
Argentina boasts the world’s largest waterfall system, Iguazu Falls, surrounded by lush Atlantic jungle.
The world’s southernmost city, Ushuaia provides access to the pristine wilderness of Antarctica.
🏞 Visiting Argentina: Frequently Asked Questions ➡
🧳 Moving to Argentina/Digital Nomads: Frequently Asked Questions ➡
Argentina is a bread basket and is a leading exporter of beef, corn and soy.
The nation is also renowned for its high-quality beef, its obsession with yerba mate, and iconic figures, such as the late Evita PerĂłn, Pope Francis and the GOAT of soccer, Lionel Messi.
As the world’s fifth largest exporter of wine, Argentina is increasingly recognized for its exquisite wines, perfect for sipping while taking in Mendoza’s beauty at the foot of Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Americas.
Argentina has a unique character shaped by its history of receiving immigrants, primarily from Europe.
Dating back to the days when rugged gauchos freely roamed the vast pampas, the country retains a maverick spirit that can express itself in baffling currency controls, protests that chokehold the capital, or spontaneous National Holiday so the whole nation can mourn the loss of Diego Maradona or celebrate another Copa America win.
And there is something else that no Argentine will want you to forget for years to come: Argentina’s 2022 World Cup win. ⚽️
Frequently Asked Questions About Argentina
Curious about Argentina? Get the lowdown on its diverse landscapes, economic quirks, and unique culture.
Where is Argentina located?
Argentina is located at the southern tip of South America, stretching across almost the entire southern cone of the continent.
What is Argentina known for?
Globally, Argentina is most renowned for tango, soccer, gaucho culture, and top-quality beef and wine.
Its European-like capital, Buenos Aires, and its tumultuous political and economic history also attract attention.
How Large is Argentina in landmass and population?
Spanning 2.8 million square kilometers (1.07 million square miles), Argentina is the eighth-largest country worldwide and the second-largest in South America, following Brazil. It has a population of just over 45 million, making it the 32nd most populous country.
What is Argentina’s Landscape Like?
Argentina’s terrain is varied, featuring expansive pampas, towering mountains, glaciers, jungles, deserts, and a long Atlantic coastline.
The country also claims the Falkland Islands (Las Malvinas) and part of Antarctica, though these claims are disputed.
What Kind of Climate Does Argentina Have?
The climate ranges from humid tropical in the north to polar tundra in the south.
Much of the country, including Buenos Aires and the pampas, experiences a temperate seasonal climate.
In the capital and the entire province of Buenos Aires, autumn and spring are both lovely, summers are warm and can get hot, over 32°C (90°F ) ten to twenty days a year and winters are cool but not harsh.
What Kind of Economy Does Argentina Have?
As South America’s second major commercial and industrial hub, Argentina has a thriving economy, driven by agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism.
It is a leading exporter of beef, soy, corn, citrus fruits, wheat, and honey. Mining also contributes significantly to its GDP.
Why is Argentina so economically unstable?
It has struggled with economic instability since, most notably, 1930 which began a series of military coups that destabilized the nation.
This was the first of six military coups in the last 100 years.
The following coup of 1943 ushered in Juan Domingo PerĂłn, Argentina’s most influential political figure in the last century.
What is the General State of Argentina’s Economy Now?
Argentina is classified as an emerging upper-middle-income economy by the World Bank.
Argentina achieved a Human Development Index (HDI) value of 0.85 in 2022, placing it in the ‘Very High Human Development’ category and ranking it 47th out of 204 countries and territories.
The wealth disparity is high however with poverty reaching its highest point in two decades in early 2024.
Fifty-seven percent of the population did not have enough income to pay for housing, services and a basic basket of goods (Argentina’s metric for poverty).
The large public sector means there are social service programs and subsidies to help those living below the poverty line.
Thanks to its large economy, resource wealth, and geopolitical importance, Argentina still has a seat at the G20 table. but it’s like that cousin who rolls in late for holiday dinner drinks all the wine, and ends up passed out on the couch.
Foreign intervention aimed at reform is viewed as neo-colonialism and always seems to go sideways, but Argentina is part of the fam.
What Ethnic Groups Make Up the Population of Argentina?
Ethnically, Argentina is a mix of Spanish colonizers, Indigenous peoples, many European immigrants and surprisingly to some, African ancestry, as many were brought as slaves from Sub-Saharan Africa.
The significant immigration, especially ‘Tanos’ from Italy melding with those from many other countries shaped culture in the Rio Plate region, leading to the creation of tango.
There are also sizable Lebanese, Syrian, Ukrainian, Chinese and Jewish communities to name a few.
What Language Do They Speak in Argentina?
Spanish is the de facto official language, although Argentina has a distinct accent, unique vocabulary and a vast slang language called Lunfardo.
The Italian influence is evident in Buenos Aires’ Spanish, which borrows many Italian words.
English is the most widely spoken second language, with 2.8 million speakers and about 100,000 native speakers. Italian is the second most common language spoken in the home, followed by Levantine Arabic.
What is Buenos Aires Like?
The entire metropolitan area of Buenos Aires has 13.5 million people, with the city itself housing around three million.
A pulsating city that earns the title of Latin America’s ‘City that Never Sleeps’ it is often compared to European cities but its energy level rivals Manhatten.
Buenos Aires, the capital, is known for its Parisian-inspired architecture, lovely parks, and abundant cultural offerings including tango, parillas (steakhouses), world-class museums, opera, nightclubs, film and theater — all at accessible prices.
What are Some Other Noteworthy Cities in Argentina?
• Córdoba, the second-largest city with many universities in a quaint province of valleys and sierras.
• Rosario, the third-largest city by the Paraná River — the birthplace of Argentina’s Beloved Lionel Messi, but not much of a tourist destination
• Mendoza, the fourth-largest city and the capital of this province of the same name known for wine, food, adventure and luxury tourism
• Bariloche, a smaller city with Alpine architecture. The city is on Lake Nahuel Huapi and serves as the home base for scenic and adventure tourism in this neck of the Andes and Lakes District.
• Puerto Madryn, a major port receiving cruises, it was originally settled by the Welsh. It’s the gateway to whale-watching and wildlife safaris of coastal Patagonia
• La Plata, the provincial capital of Buenos Aires, is under an hour away and is worth visiting for its beautiful neo-gothic Cathedral.
More Frequently Asked Questions:
• Argentina’s Cuts of Meat (and how to order)