Argentina

1. Argentina Capital – Buenos Aires

2. Facts About Argentina • Population:  42,192,494 • Total Area: 1,068,302 sq miles -8th largest • Currency:  Argentine peso (ARS)

3. Language in Argentina • Spanish is the official language of Argentina, however many people speak some English. • Argentine Spanish also contains many distinct phrases and terms not used in other Spanish-speaking countries. • German, French, and Italian are also widely spoken, as are several indigenous languages.

4. Religion in Argentina • Historically, the Catholic religion played a very important part in politics and law. • Before changes were made to the Constitution in 1994, the two top leaders of Argentina had to be Roman Catholic. • Although the Constitution states that the federal government is Roman Catholic, it also guarantees freedom of religion for all. • Today, although officially 90% of Argentinians are Roman Catholic, fewer than 20% attend church regularly. Most go for weddings, funerals and major feast days. • Argentina has many Jews and Muslims, as well as members of Russian, Greek and Syrian Orthodox churches and Protestant denominations. • Buenos Aires has the second largest Jewish population (over 300,000) in the Americas after New York.

5. Government in Argentina President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner • Argentina is composed of 23 provinces and one federal district (Buenos Aires). • It is governed by the 1853 constitution as revised in 1898 and 1994, and has a federal system of government. • The president and vice president are elected by popular vote for four-year terms and can be reelected once. • The popularly elected bicameral national congress is composed of 72 senators (three from each province and the federal district), who serve six-year terms, and 257 deputies (based on proportional representation), who serve four-year terms. • There is a nine-member supreme court. Each province has its own elected governor and legislature and its own judicial system.

6. Families in Argentina • The responsibility of raising children lies with the mother. • Women working outside the home comprise less than thirty percent of the Argentine work force. • Men are often occupied with work, even in the evening. • Families are smaller than other countries, with on average just two children. • A good education is important to Argentines and families sacrifice to make it possible for their children. 

7. Food in Argentina • The evening meal is lighter than the lunchtime meal. • Dinner is frequently served later in the evening, even after 9:00 p.m.

8. Fun Facts About Argentina • The highest mountain peak in the Americas is Mount Aconcagua in the Andes Mountains, rising more than 6,900 meters. • Llamas are good at climbing mountains. • People in the Andes use them to carry things. • They also make warm blankets and ponchos from the llama's wool. • Llama meat is also common in many dishes in the Northern Andean region of the country.

9. More Fun Facts About Argentina • Home to 57,000 residents, Ushuaia, Argentina is the southernmost city in the world. Despite its unique geographical positioning, Ushuaia is not subjected to extreme weather conditions. • The Tango originated in Buenos Aires. • Argentina is the 3rd biggest producer of beef in the world. • Argentine Spanish is referred to as Lumfardo and has larger similitude to Italian than the Mexican Spanish that Americans are accustomed to. • The world's first animated films were created and released in Argentina, by a person named QuirinoCristiani in 1917. • Argentines have the highest rates of movie viewing in the world. • Argentines are not Hispanic in spite of speaking Spanish. Most are of Italian, German, Welsh background.

10. Places to Visit in Argentina • http://wanderingtrader.com/argentina/top-5-argentina-tourist-attractions/ • http://www.touropia.com/tourist-attractions-in-argentina/ • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-PJQ5GAFB4 • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR1OVtsY0Qs • http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/places/regions-places/south-america/argentina_gauchos/