From giving popularity to Tango, introducing the world’s tastiest wine and steak, and dominating the world of football, Argentina has countless reasons to feed every person’s wanderlust. It is a culture of sophistication with a mixture of exuberance that brings Argentina to the top list among travel destinations worldwide.
Argentina is situated at the bottom part of South America with the Atlantic Ocean on the east. It occupies 2,780,400 square kilometers of land area and is home to around 45 million citizens. This haven comprises 23 provinces with its capital, the ever-famous Buenos Aires, the 13th wealthiest city globally.
Argentina’s land area is generally less cultivated, resulting in landscapes of greenery and lush vegetations – a topography utilized to grow cattle and build the best wineries.
Four Seasons
Argentina experiences four distinct seasons each year. Summer starts from December to February, autumn from March to May, winter from June to August, and spring from September to November.
Though the summer season is when tourists usually flock to visit, you can pretty much visit all year round. The only thing that you need to decide on is which part of the country to explore since there are a few variations of spots in every corner of Argentina.
Rainforests can be found in the north, farmlands in the Midwest, towering mountains in the west, serene beaches on the east, and mines and glaciers on the south.
Transport System
Getting around Argentina is made possible by numerous modes of transportation to tour the country either by train, bus, taxi, or subway.
Buses are the most common, and if you’re a tourist in Buenos Aires, you can try the Hop On Hop Off bus. There are 12 stopovers where you can visit every location, then hop into the next bus and explore another place.
Trains also connect provinces to Buenos Aires and the systematic way of transport for workers traveling from province to the city. There is also an international route offered by train companies where travelers can go to Paraguay, Chile, Brazil, or Bolivia.
Argentina also has a ferry service enabling tourists to tour Buenos Aires and other provinces.
Roads are impressively well-maintained and can be friendly to cyclists as there are dedicated lanes for bikes in every part of the city.
Tasty Cuisines
Argentina is at the podium when it comes to the best wine and food. It is one of the top countries producing quality wine and steak in the world. Argentina is famous for its Argentinian steak, known to have high omega three and less cholesterol content.
They are also known for their premium wines. There are about 2000 wineries in the country, all producing the best Malbec wine in the world.
There are also other trademark cuisines from Argentina that won’t disappoint your tastebuds:
- Asado – is Argentina’s national dish which is a counterpart of barbecue. It can either be salted pork meat, beef, or sausage grilled and devoured with a bottle of Malbec.
- Chimichurri – is the guilt-free salsa gracing every dish in Argentina. It is made of spices, oregano, and parsley with either lemon or vinegar, giving it a sour kick.
- Dulce de Leche – is a dessert made of caramelized cow’s milk. It is often topped on ice cream, bread, other desserts, or just devoured as-is.
- Choripán – is the famous street food among Argentinians sold almost everywhere. You can find it sold in markets or during football games. Choripán is a sandwich made of grilled pork, beef, and sausage topped with Chimichurri.
Splendid Spots
Visiting Argentina is incomplete without witnessing one of the world’s seven wonders, the Iguazú Falls. It is situated in the province of Misiones, consisting of around 300 waterfalls dropping on the same spot called the “devil’s throat.” There are also about 2,000 plant species that can be found surrounding the area of Iguazú falls.
Among other spots you can visit to destress Glaciers National Park, El Chaltén town, and San Carlos de Bariloche, which will all treat you to the wonders of nature in different ways.
If you would like to witness Argentina’s hospitality, you can also drop by the crowded flea markets in Argentina. One of the most visited is the San Telmo Flea Market in Buenos Aires. An estimated 20,000 visitors are coming every Sunday to this market to purchase vintage items or just stroll on the lively streets of Plaza Dorrego.
Festivals and Celebrations
Argentines are joyous people, and it is proven on a few celebrations they commemorate throughout the year.
- Oktoberfest – is a celebration brought by German ex-pats in Cordoba. It is commemorated during October and the crowd celebrates by drinking giant mugs of beer.
- Vendimia – is celebrated in Mendoza during March. Here, Argentines drink wines and eat delicious dishes to commemorate a good harvest.
There are a lot of other celebrations in every province of Argentina. Though celebrated for different reasons, the typical way to celebrate it is by drinking, dancing and having a lot of fun.
Argentinian Facts and Norms
If you plan to set foot in Argentina’s beautiful land, it is essential to know the norms and facts about how Argentines live their day-to-day lives. Here are some of the things about Argentina and its people.
- Argentines love football. They are considered the best footballers dominating five of the World Cup finals. Lionel Messi, the world’s best football player in the world, is from Argentina.
- Argentina is a Catholic country, and 77% of its population makes up the Catholic population.
- Argentina is the 4th largest Spanish-speaking country in the world. Around 40% of its population can speak English, though.
- If invited to a dinner, party, or gathering, showing up 20 to 40 minutes late is the norm.
- Argentines greet people with one kiss on the cheek, a handshake, or a nod.
- When you’re given a gift, you need to open it right away to show how happy and appreciative you are to the person who gifted you.
- Tango originated from Argentina in the 19th century, and Argentine takes pride in this legacy to the world.
- The majority of Argentines are of European descent.
