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Argentina

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History… Argentina is not “just another South

American country” Stereotypes common in the US don’t apply

Argentina is a blend of many cultures Not only Spanish, but Italian, British, indigenous

peoples, and many more

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Population… 39.5 Million

3rd Most populated country in Latin America

Young – 29.2 Men/30.1 Women (average age)

89% live in Buenos Ares

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Population… 97% White,

Spanish/Italian- only 3% Mestiz

97.1% Literacy rate

- Which is .1% higher

than then U.S.

Life expectancy is 75.7 Years, general population

Population

White Spanish Italians

Mestizo

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Religion… 92% Roman Catholic

Only 20% are Practicing 2% Protestant 2% Jewish 4% Other

Strong ties between Church & State Constitution 1853 required President to be Catholic

…before that no separation between church & state

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Work & Economy… Divisions of Economy:

11.1% Agriculture 34.8% Industrial 54.1% Service

Turn of 20th Century, known as one of the top 10 wealthiest nations in the world

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Work & Economy…Leaders effected economy Juan Peron took office in 1946 – Destroyed the

economy Carlos Menem – 1989 Inflation was at 3,000%

per year

By end of 1990’s inflation was less than 1% Still recovering from economic problems 51.7% of population below poverty line

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National & Popular Culture…

Most culture brought over from Europe

Buenos Ares is molded after Paris

Teatime every afternoon

Fútbol is the primary sport

Tango is the most popular style of dance/music

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Customs… Everyday life

Leisure Time Death, Weddings, Relationships

Clothing Urged to be well dressed Some traditional

Holidays Secular Holidays most celebrated

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Customs… Music

Tango/ Opera House

Religion Beliefs Superstitious

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Food & Material Life… 3 Meals a day plus teatime

All meals usually consist of meat, primarily beef

Dinner at 9 pm so all family can be present

BEEF & PASTA

Yerba Mate

American food introduced…

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Food & Material Life… Material life

Meat Packing & Other food processing Industry

Forest – hard wood, nuts, coconuts

Climate and available resources both effect what is available

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Language… Spanish is main language

Argentines say that it is more appropriate to call their language Castilian

Spanish slang called “lunfardo” = Spanish/Italian Mix

Still a few indigenous languages that are barely hanging around Quechua Guaraní very rare, Mapuche

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Government & Social Order…

Last 15 years they’ve had a stable government

Achieved independence in 1816

Military Rule 1829 – Juan Manuel De Rosas was governor of Buenos Ares from 1829-1852

Overthrown by other providences in 1853

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Government & Social Order…

Took almost 40 years to create constitution Twisted by a series of military and civilian rulers Modeled after the U.S. constitution

Military coups in 1930, 1943, 1955, 1962, 1966 and 1976 Resulting in a series of Military rulers, however

Democratic leaders where also mixed in.

Constitution revised in mid 1990’s

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Government & Social Order…

Despite the fact that population is 97% white Spanish Italian – 3 seats per providence, and one is required to be minority

Got rid of electoral college, and instituted popular vote for president 4 year One change for re-election

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Conclusion… Argentina has a rich cultural history

Can’t be understood through common US stereotypes of Latin America

Long history of cultural integration and change

Changes still continue today as the people try to create the country they want to live in