Argentina: Facts & Stats

CULTURE

Traditions:

European influences permeate Argentina's art, architecture, literature and lifestyle. With an excellent university level education, the citizens of Argentina have quite modern and refined tastes and customs. Argentine arts and sciences have achieved international renown among many audiences. Probably the best known manifestation of Argentine popular culture is the Argentine Tango, a dance and music which has captured the hearts of romantics world-wide.

Celebrations:

Throughout the year in Argentina national holidays are celebrated with Argentina traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation and defined region by region. Because 90% of the population of Argentina is Roman Catholic, many public holidays are celebrated around the church's holy days.

January 1st -- Ano Nuevo or New Year's Day is celebrated by a late dinner with family and fireworks at midnight. Some of the more interesting Argentina traditions encompassing New Year's include running around the house with a suitcase, which means you will travel more in the coming year. Another interesting Argentina tradition is that if you eat beans on New Year's you will either keep the job you have or find a new and better job. On New Year's Day many citizens go swimming in public pools, rivers and lakes.

March/April -- Two weeks prior to Lent, the Argentina tradition of El Carnaval del Pais is celebrated, much in the same traditions as Mardi Gras in New Orleans and Carnivale in Venice and Rio de Janiero. Halfway between Buenos Aries and Iguazu Falls, the town of Gualeguaychu hosts the largest celebration of Carnaval in Argentina. A 38,000 seat carnival center or corsodromo hosts Samba clubs with over 700 dancers, musicians and singers, all competing for the title of "Kings of the Carnival". This Argentina tradition is vibrantly displayed in costume, song, and dance. In Buenos Aires, each neighborhood celebrates Carnaval with street musicians, or murgas, and artists.

Easter, Las Pascuas, is celebrated over a two week period. Palm Sunday to Holy Saturday, the day before Easter, is known as Semana Santa, or Holy Week. This involves the complete reenactment of the Passion of Christ in many villages in the country. Easter Sunday to the following Saturday is a joyous celebration of the Resurrection of Christ. Many Argentinians take vacation time during this two week period.

April 2nd -- Dia de las Malvinas or Malvinas Day. This commemorates the day in 1982 that the Argentine military invaded the Falkland Islands with the commitment of reclaiming them from the British. Both Great Britian and Argentina still claim jurisdiction over the Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as Islas Malvinas.

May 1st -- Dia de los Trabajadores or Labor Day. Since the turn of the century, labor movements have used this day to raise social awareness of the struggle of the worker. With an unemployment rate of 19.5%, the working class citizens of Argentina are struggling to reduce the 8 hour workday to 6 hours, although on average most workers put in 10 hour days.

May 25th -- Revolucion de Mayo or the May Revolution of 1810. Also known as National Day as it is the anniversary of the first national government in Argentina upon obtaining their independence from Spain. With a theme of solidarity and pride, Argentina traditions celebrate National Day with parades, music and traditional foods within each region. Most public transportation is free during the holiday for those attending the festivities. Beginning at midday and running late into the evening, National Day is appropriately brought to a close with the National Anthem . It is also customary for Government officials to attend celebrations and make speeches.

June 20th -- Dia de la Bandera or Flag Day, an observance of the National Flag of Argentina.

July 9th -- Dia de la Independencia or Independence Day. This day celebrates the signing of the declaration that gave Argentina independence from Spain. August 17th -- Dia de San Martin or the Anniversary of San Martin's Death. General Jose de San Martin was one of the main liberators of Argentina. He used powerful military tactics to defeat royalist forces.

October 12th -- Dia de la Raza or Day of the Race, also known as Day of the Americas and Columbus Day. This day celebrates Christopher Columbus, Cristobel Colon, affirming that he would bring race and civilization to the Americas. December 25th -- Argentina traditions surrounding Navidad, or Christmas Day, include many of the same Christmas traditions that were brought to America by our ancestors. Houses are decorated on the outside and many have nativity scenes. The Christmas trees within the house are adorned with ornaments and lights, but this may be any type of tree, not just an evergreen. Although Christmas occurs in summer, Argentina traditions are enjoyed over the same typical winter holiday feasts of roasted pork, roasted turkey, mince pies and Christmas puddings that we are accustomed to. Today summer dishes are served along with traditional foods such as grilled meats, as in the asado or typical barbecue, vegetables and salads. Warm weather desserts like ice cream and fresh fruit have made their way to the Christmas table. After church services, the Christmas feast is celebrated late in the evening of December 24th. At midnight a toast of champagne, cider or clerico, a mixture of wine, fruit and ice, is made and gifts are exchanged. Fireworks are then enjoyed in the balmy early morning. Many residents of Buenos Aires flood the beaches of Mar del Plata on Christmas Day.

Alcohol:

The legal drinking age is officially 18, although most establishments will serve anyone approximately 16 or older.

Sports and Hobbies:

The most popular sport in Argentina is futbol (soccer). If you come to Argentina, you shouldn't miss the chance to experience a professional match live . Argentina's fans are very passionate. Although Argentina is known for many sports and their talent; not being able to play in any sport in Argentina is very rare.

Rugby and basketball (basquet) are also popular. Polo is popular among the upper classes although it is still part of the nation's culture and can be readily seen in all areas of life. Tennis has been growing in popularity with the Argentina's steady production of top players over the past three decades.

Field hockey has also became a popular sport, especially among women. The National Women's Field Hockey Team, Las Leonas (The Lionesses), has grown in the past years and developed into a now competes against the best in the world.

Car racing is popular too: The main leagues are Turismo Carretera (Ford vs Chevrolet), TC2000 (Touring Cars) and TopRace. The most important racetrack in Argentina is in Buenos Aires is "Autódromo Oscar Alfredo Gálvez.

Golf in Argentina is an increasingly popular sport in Argentina, thanks in part to the success of Argentinian players such as Angel Cabrera, Andres Romero and Eduardo Romero. There are currently around 280 courses in the country, most located around Buenos Aires and including such well-known names as the Jockey Club, Olivos and Hurlingham. On the Atlantic coast in Mar del Plata are a couple of courses that have held international events, and Patagonia has excellent resort courses such as Llao Lloa, Arelauquen and Chapelco (a Nicklaus design) as well as the 9-hole course in Ushaia.

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