1. Argentina

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Religion… 92% Roman Catholic Strong ties between Church & State
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

6. 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

7. Work & Economy… By end of 1990’s inflation was less than 1%
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

8. 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

9. Customs… Everyday life Clothing Holidays Leisure Time
Death, Weddings, Relationships
Clothing
Urged to be well dressed
Some traditional
Holidays
Secular Holidays most celebrated

10. Customs…
Music
Tango/ Opera House
Religion
Beliefs
Superstitious

11. 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…

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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
Overthrown by other providences in 1853

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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