 population, culture & sport |
About 85 percent of the population is of European origin. Unlike most Latin American countries, Argentina has relatively few mestizos (persons of mixed European and Native American ancestry), although their number has increased in recent times. European immigration continues to be officially encouraged; from 1850 to 1940, some 6,608,700 Europeans settled in the country. Spanish and Italian immigrants have predominated, with significant numbers of French, British, German, Russian, Polish, Syrian, and other South American immigrants. More than one-third of the population lives in or around Buenos Aires; about 85 percent of the people live in vurban areas.
 Indigenous and immigrant population |
Argentina's culture has been greatly affected by its immigrant population, mostly European. Their influence contributed to the demise of pre-Columbian cultures, resulting in the lack of a dominant indigenous population. The European immigrant groups each adopted different roles. The Basque and Irish controlled sheep rearing, the Germans and Italians established farms, and the British invested in developing the country's infra- structure.
More than one-third of the country's 37,5 million people live in Buenos Aires, the capital, which along with other urban areas accounts for almost 90% of the total population. The principal indigenous peoples are the Quechua of the northwest and the Mapuche in Patagonia. Other marginal groups include the Matacos and Tobas in the Chaco and other northeastern cities. There are strong Jewish and Anglo-Argentine communities throughout the country; small communities of Japanese, Chileans and Bolivians; and enclaves of Paraguayan and Uraguayan residents.
| Population Characteristics |
In 2001 the estimated population of Argentina is 37,486,938. The overall population density is about 13 persons per sq km.
Important cities include:
Buenos Aires (population, 1996 estimate 12,608,046 )
Córdoba (population, 1996 estimate, 1,233,866), a major manufacturing and university city
The river port of Rosario (population, 1996 estimate 899,897)
La Plata (population, 1996 estimate 541,905), capital of Buenos Aires Province
Mar del Plata (population, 1996 estimate 532,845), a resort city at the mouth of the Río de la Plata
Salta (population, 1996 estimate 500,000), famous for its colonial architecture
San Miguel de Tucumán (population, 1996 estimate 470,000), a diversified manufacturing center
Mendoza (population, 1996 estimate, 121,620), hub of an important agricultural and wine-growing region
| Language |
Spanish is the official language and is spoken by the overwhelming majority of Argentines. Italian and a number of Native American languages are still spoken as well. Although the Spanish were the first Europeans here, and their language has been established as official, a number of communities preserve their original, native languages. Tip:There are seventeen native languages alive in Argentina. Perhaps the most used are Quechua, Mapuche, Guaraní, Toba y Mataco.
| Language Name | Language Family | Population | Spoken in: | | Aymara, Central | Aymaran | 2,000,000 to 2,500,000 total | Also in Bolivia, Peru, Chile | | Chané | Araucan, Unclassified | | Salta | | Chiriguano | Tupi, Tupi-Guarani, Guarani (I) | 15,000 in Argentina; 15,000 in Bolivia; 2,000 in Paraguay (1991); 32,000 total | Jujuy, Salta | | Chiripá | Tupi, Tupi-Guarani, Guarani (I) | 9,500 total or more; 7,000 in Paraguay (1991); 2,500 in Brazil (1990 R. Dooley SIL) | | | Chorote, Iyojwa'ja | Mataco-Guaicuru, Mataco | 800, all in Argentina (1982 Drayson ANG) | Northeast Salta Province | | Chorote, Iyo'wujwa | Mataco-Guaicuru, Mataco | 1,500 in Argentina; 500 in Paraguay (1991 SIL); 2,000 total | In Argentina they are mixed with the Iyojwa'ja Chorote. No more than a couple of families in Bolivia | | Chulupi | Mataco-Guaicuru, Mataco | 200 in Argentina, 18,000 in Paraguay; 18,200 total | Salta, northeast | | Guaraní, Mbyá | Tupi, Tupi-Guarani, Guarani (I) | 10,500 to 11,000 total or more; 2,500 to 3,000 in Brazil (1988 SIL); 8,000 in Paraguay (1991 SIL) | Northeast | | Kaiwá | Tupi, Tupi-Guarani, Guarani (I) | 512 in Argentina; 12,000 to 14,000 in Brazil (1990 SIL); 12,500 to 14,500 total | Northeast | | Mapudungun | Araucanian | 40,000 or more in Argentina (1975 Golbert); 400,000 in Chile; 440,000 total | Provinces of Neuquen, Rio Negro, Chubut, Buenos Aires, La Pampa | | Mocoví | Mataco-Guaicuru, Guaicuruan | 3,000 to 4,000 (1981 Buckwalter) | South Chaco, northeast Santa Fe | | Ona | Chon | | Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego. Also formerly in Chile | | Pilagá | Mataco-Guaicuru, Guaicuruan | 2,000 Toba-Pilagá (1991 UBS) | Along the valleys of the Bermejo and Pilcomayo rivers in central and western Formosa Province, Chaco and Salta Province | | Puelche | Language Isolate | 5 or 6 speakers. Extinct in Chile | Pampas | | Quechua, Northwest Jujuy | Quechuan, Quechua A, Southern | 5,000 possibly (1990 SIL) | Northwest Jujuy Province, near the Bolivian border | | Quechua, South Bolivian | Quechuan, Quechua A, Southern | 850,000 in Argentina, including about 200,000 temporary laborers, about 100,000 looking for work, 500,000 living in Buenos Aires (1971 F. Hicks). Also possibly 70,000 in Salta Province. 2,782,500 in Bolivia (1987); 3,632,500 total | Buenos Aires, some working on docks. Some also in Salta Province | | Quichua, Santiago del Estero | Quechuan, Quechua A, Southern | 75,000 (1985 SIL) | Santiago del Estero Province, north central Argentina, Departments of Figueroa, Moreno, Robles, Sarmiento, Brigadier J.F. Ibarra, San Martín, Silipica, Loreto, Atamisqui, Avellaneda, Salavina, Quebrachos, Mitre, Aguirre. Some also in southeast Salta Province | | Romani, Vlach | Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Romani, Vlax | Several hundred thousand in Latin America including Brazil and Colombia (1984 Ian Hancock); 1,500,000 total (1986 estimate) | Also in Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Greece, Albania, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Ukraine, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Norway, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Brazil, Colombia, USA, England | | Spanish | Indo-European, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Ibero-Romance, North, Central | 25,000,000 in Argentina (1984 estimate); 266,000,000 total (1987 Time) | National language | | Tapieté | Tupi, Tupi-Guarani, Guarani (I) | 100 in Argentina; 40 in Bolivia; 1,800 in Paraguay (1991 SIL); 2,000 total; (64 adults in Argentina; 1984 SIL) | Northeast, Tartagal, 1 village | | Tehuelche | Chon | 24 (1967) | Patagonia | | Toba | Mataco-Guaicuru, Guaicuruan | 15,000 to 20,000 in Argentina; 700 in Paraguay (1991 SIL); 100 possibly in Bolivia; 15,800 to 20,800 total | Eastern Formosa Province and Chaco Province | | Vilela | Lule-Vilela | Five families | Resistencia, east central Chaco province near Paraguay border | | Wichí Lhamtés Güisnay | Mataco-Guaicuru, Mataco | | Northern, Pilcomayo River area | | Wichí Lhamtés Nocten | Mataco-Guaicuru, Mataco | 100 in Argentina; 1,427 in Bolivia (1981 SFM); 1,530 total | Northern border down to Tartagal | | Wichí Lhamtés Vejoz | Mataco-Guaicuru, Mataco | 25,000 total (1991 UBS) | Northern area: Chaco, Formosa, Salta, Jujuy. Generally west of Toba, along upper Bermejo River Valley, and Pilcomayo River. Some in Bolivia | | Yamana | Language Isolate | | There may be a few speakers in Chile. Extinct in Argentina |
| Religion |
Roman Catholics make up more than 92 percent of the population. Judaism, Protestantism, and a number of other Christian and non-Christian religions are practiced, but several faiths and sects are banned as _injurious to public order._ By law, the president and vice president of Argentina must be Roman Catholic.
| Culture |
Argentina is a nation with a rich Spanish heritage, strongly influenced since the 19th century by European, notably Italian, immigration. A lively interest is maintained in the nation's history, particularly as symbolized by the gaucho (cowboy). In the fine arts, the most important model has been France; only in folk art has there been significant influence from Native American cultures.
European influences permeate Argentina's art, architecture, literature and lifestyle. However, in the field of literature in particular, this has been a cross-cultural transaction, with Argentina producing writers of international stature such as Jorge Luis Borges, Julio Cortázar, Ernesto Sábasto, Manuel Puig and Osvaldo Soriano. With the education of many Argentines taking place in Europe, Buenos Aires in particular has self-consciously emulated European cultural trends in art, music and architecture. As a result, there are many important art museums and galleries in the city, and it has a vigorous theater community. Argentine cinema has also achieved international stature, and has been used as a vehicle to exorcise the horrors of the Dirty War.
Probably the best known manifestation of Argentine popular culture is the tango - a dance and music which has captured the imagination of romantics worldwide. Folk music is also thriving. Sport is extremely important to the Argentines and soccer is more of a national obsession than a game. Argentina won the World Cup in 1978 and 1986, and the exploits of Diego Maradona (the most famous Argentine since Che Guevara), have kept soccer fans, paparazzi and columnists busy for the past 10 years.
Argentine Roman Catholicism, the official state religion, is riddled with popular beliefs which diverge from official doctrine. Spiritualism and veneration of the dead are deep-seated, with pilgrimages to the resting places of relations and of the famous dead a common sight. Spanish is the official language, but some immigrant communities retain their language as a badge of identity. Italian is widely understood, reflecting the influence of the country's single largest immigrant group, and BBC English is the preserve of the Anglo community. There are 17 native languages, including Quechua, Mapuche, Guaraní, Tobas and Matacos.
Meat dominates Argentina's menus, and 'meat' means beef. Mixed grills (parrillada) are apparently the way to go, serving up a cut of just about every part of the animal: tripe, intestines, udders - the lot. In this vegetarian's nightmare, Italian favorites, such as gnocchi (ñoquis), are a welcome alternative. Exquisite Argentine ice cream (helado) deserves a special mention - again reflecting Italian influences. The sharing of mate, Paraguayan tea, is a ritual more than a beverage, and if offered is a special expression of acceptance. The leaves, a relation to holly, are elaborately prepared and the mixture is drunk from a shared gourd. | | Education |
Primary education is free and compulsory from ages 6 to 14. In the mid-1980s about 4.8 million pupils attended primary schools; 1.9 million attended secondary and vocational schools. More than 900,000 were enrolled in colleges and universities. Argentina's literacy rate of about 95 percent is one of the highest in Latin America. Argentina has 24 national universities and many state and private universities. The principal institution is the University of Buenos Aires (1821). Other major national universities are the Catholic University of Argentina (1958), National Technological University (1959), National University of Cordoba (1613), and other universities located in Bahia Blanca (1956), La Plata (1905), Mendoza (1939), San Miguel de Tucuman (1914), and Rosario (1968).
| Art and Music |
Tango
The birth of Tango took place towards mid-19th century with the melodies played by the European immigrants that lived in the conglomerates of Buenos Aires. This music kept them alive, most of them were lonely working men living away from their homes, families and wives. Perhaps it was also a way of identifying themselves as a group but, surely, they created a cultural expression that became the vivid portrayal of Buenos Aires and its people.
This rhythm was born in suburban brothels and immigrant houses. The working classes used to participate in music shows where they could enjoy listening to the fist trios composed by flute, violin and guitar. By the end of the 19th century, the tango star was the bandoneon that establishes its traditionaland emotional sounds. Those places were the atmosphere that inspired the guapos, malevos and compadritos, the most famous characters of the tango songs. Only men performed the first dances but then, the woman figure appeared not only in this sensual choreography but also as the muse of the song letters.
The most important tango musicians and dancers of all times are Carlos Gardel, Anibal Troilo, Astor Piazzolla and Osvaldo Pugliese, among others.
Nowadays, there are performing tango dancers in the streets of La Boca and San Telmo. On the other hand, there are also some enthusiastic porteños that attend tango lessons.
( see also Art & Music)
National Sports
Football
Football is an Argentine passion, evidenced by World Championships in1978 y 1986, and runners-up in 1930 and 1990. (See www.Argentinesoccer.com) In Argentina, Diego Maradona is still a national hero:
Full Name: Diego Armando Maradona
Nickname: "Pelusa"
Date of Birth: October 30, 1960
Number of Games: 235
Number of Goals: 145
The crew of the English ships that came to Argentina in 1840 transferred the men that first played the Argentinean most popular sport. In 1867, the Hoggs´s brothers founded the Buenos Aires Football institution and a couple of days after organized the inaugural game between the red and white cups footfall teams. This activity suddenly caught an important development nearly 1880. The English schools started to teach this sport as a part of intensive physic skills.
Perhaps it was the foundation of the Argentinean Football Association (1894) and the appearance of the initial national football teams- Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata, Rosario Central, River Plate and Boca Juniors- the facts that reveled an incredible popular enthusiasm for the sport game that became a national myth. Since then, the media started to cover the results of all the football games. During the twenties, the stadiums began to receive a great number of fans that established the most colorful and passionate spectacle. After these Golden Years, the professional football players came on scene. On the other hand, the Independiente team built its stadium in 1928. Ten years later, River Plate raised its Monumental one. Boca Juniors constructed its original stadium in 1940. The Uruguayans were the first persistent rivals but the Brazilians entered into the struggle under the leadership of Pele and a strong international fame. The international world cups became an event of national interest. Argentina won the International World Cup twice: the first one in Buenos Aires (1978) with Cesar Luis Menotti as the coach and the second time in Mexico (1986) under the leading figure of Carlos Salvador Bilardo and Diego Armando Maradona as the captain of the group. There is a lot to talk about Maradona because he is quite the greatest football player the world has ever seen. He was born in a slum area outside the city of Buenos Aires and he rapidly demonstrated unparalleled football skills. He made his full debut in 1977, at the age of 17. It was not difficult to realize that his movements showed excellent balance and strength. The Maradonian saga contributed to build the epic figure of a national hero. He also is the icon that showed the hopes of fame and economic success of a social sector for which football became a possible road full of prosperity. What this sport symbol set out is the fatherland’s reference and the eternal reminiscence of the football as the strongest nucleus for representing nationality. Other important football players of all the times were: Alfredo Distefano, Amadeo Carrizo, Tarantini, Perfumo and Gabriel Batistuta, Diego Simeone, Sebastian Veron, among much others.
Polo in Argentina
This magnificent and elegant sport arrived to the Argentinean Pampas by the year 1875. The Polo settled its roots in Santa Fe where the British cattle breeders taught it to the native people. They started to play it without knowing the exact rules of this game. It was Mister David Shennan who organized the first semi-professional polo match between the Countryside and the City in the Negrete farm, Santa Fe (August 1875). Since that moment, this sport suddenly gained its fans and another farms such as La Celedonia, Las Petacas and Los Ingleses contributed to spread its popularity. Then, the small towns started to create their own polo clubs. Venado Tuerto, Cañada de Gómez y Media Luna were the most brilliant and successful ones. When this sport entered to Buenos Aires, its tradition was finally established with the foundation of the Hurlingham Club (1888). On the other hand, the Argentinean Polo Association was created in the year 1922.
The extraordinary skills of the Argentinean polo players combined with the speed and strength of their Pampas horses, gave them a rapid and international recognition. The Argentinean team won the Gold Medals in the Olympic Games of Paris (1924) and Berlin (1936). This trophy was not enough for Argentina because the team formed by Luis Duggan, Roberto Cavanagh, Andres Gazzotti and Manuel Andrada also won the American Cup played in 1936 at Meadow Brook (United States). On the other hand, Enrique and Juan Carlos Alberdi, Juan and Roberto Cavanagh formed the Argentinean team that in the year 1949 obtained the World Polo Championship. This tournament was also vanquished by the Argentinean group in 1987 and 1991. The Argentinean Polo teams are Indios Chapaleufu I, Indios Chapaleufu II, La Dolfina, Paraíso, La Cañada, Ellerstina, Coronel Suárez and Cuatro Vientos, among others.
| Food & Drink |
Mate
The word mate comes from the Quechua mati that means the cup or gourd used for drinking it. By the year 1740, this meaning was also applied for the hot infusion prepared with the Ilex paraguariensis (Yerba Mate), the Argentineans most favorite and traditional tea.
The Guaraní Indians have long drunk Yerba Mate in the rainforests of Paraguay and North-East of Argentina. They used it for healthful purposes such as cleansing and detoxifying the blood, tone the nervous system, retard aging, combat fatigue, stimulate the mind, reduce stress and insomnia, among others. In the last centuries, the gauchos or farmers incorporated this ritual to their lives.
Nowadays, drinking mate has become a national and social event. It is common to find a group of close friends or a family sharing this infusion in a park or in any other public place. While the gourd passes from one person to the other, this ceremony is a symbol of companionship, friendship and mutual acceptance. Drinking it can also be a form of meditation or reflection but it is always a moment for communion. It certainly requires a nice and sympathetic atmosphere.
There are about 15,000 Yerba Mate farmers in the Argentinean provinces of Misiones (80%) and Corrientes (20%). Between 1990 and 1996, the production grew more than 70% even though the consumption grew only 10%.
Red meat
The Argentinean barbecues are a part of a tradition that had been preserved for a long time. The Pampas gauchos used to kill the cows to eat its meat. The most antique method consisted in cut the animal’s stomach, drain it and then fill it with burned coal. They had to wait until the next day to enjoy the flavour of the roasted meat. The most exotic way of cooking it is still celebrated in the countryside where the red meat is toasted with the cow’s leather.
Today, the asadito is basically the most attractive menu of the Argentinean gastronomy. The local customs have established that Sunday middays should be the exact moment to practise this ritual. Men are generally in charge of the barbecue. The guests are usually his family or friends. There is a golden rule that everyone has to accept: they have to wait until the meat is ready. So this is time to eat some olives or cheese and also to open a good bottle of red wine.
The read meet is also part of other local dishes such as puchero (read meat, pumpkin, potatoes and sweet potatoes, bacon and Spanish sausages) and empanadas (small meat pies either fried or roasted).
Wine
The Argentinean vineyards lie in a desert area with arid climate conditions. The water irrigation is obtained from the eternal snows of the Andes and the combination of warm sunny days and very cold nights create an ideal environment for the wine making process.
The history of the Argentinean wine was written after the arrival of the Spanish conquerors by mid- 16th century. The Spanish priests also brought vine stakes with them maybe because they wanted to evangelize and they needed wine to celebrate the mass or also because the grapes were a precious food for their long journeys. Anyway, they founded different cities where their customs have been settled down.
Museo del Vino La Rural in Mendoza
At that time, these lands were inhabited by the Huarpe Indians. They were very laborious and used to irrigate its arid plantations with the water taken from the Andes and drawn by constructed channels. By the year 1811, a Spanish native man- Don Antonio Solanilla- established in Mendoza. He brought the image of a Virgin that had appeared to some Spanish miners from Aragón. This Virgin had Jesus child in one hand and grape grains on the other one. Don Antonio bought a vineyard and built a small chapel for the virgin. As the time passed by, the native people became stronger followers of this religious figure because it apparently made some miracles like stopping a furious rain. The province declared this virgin as the Vineyards Patroness and her chapel was proclaimed a National Monument in the year 1840. She is also the religious soul of the Vendimia Party that is celebrated every year by the end of February since 1913.
In the 19th century, the industry began to grow due to the influence of Italian and Spanish immigrants that came to Argentina with new diversities of wines. The introduction of European species such as Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chenin Blanc improved the quality of the Argentinean wines.
Each wine region has its own and characteristic attributes, which enable the cultivation of a wide variety of grapes:
- North-West Region: This area compounds the provinces of Salta and La Rioja and is located in a group of valleys formed by the mountain ranges in the North of the country. The vineyard areas account the 4% of the Argentinean wine production. The sandy soil creates a great atmosphere to produce Torrontes wines. - Central- West Region: The area encompasses vineyards located in the provinces of Mendoza and San Juan, which together produce almost the 90% of Argentine wine. The calcareous land and a very low quantity of rains make it easier to produce high quality wine. The main grape varieties are Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Chardonnay. - South Region: The province of Río Negro represents the 3% of the total production. The most important varieties are Merlot, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.
|
