Interesting Facts for Kids about Argentina
Here are some interesting Argentina Facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially
for kids.
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Population: About 46 million people live in Argentina (2022)
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Capital: Buenos Aires has a population of about 15 million people
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Name: Republica Argentina or Argentine Republic, Argentina means 'land of silver'
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Government: Democracy, Republic
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Language: Spanish, Italian, English, German, French and indigenous languages
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Literacy: 98% can read and write
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Religion: mainly Christians (Roman Catholics 92%)
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Currency: 1 Argentine peso = 100 centavos
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Natonal Flag: blue and white, with a yellow sun on the white band
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National Symbols: Sun of May - sun with a face symbol
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History: Spanish explorer Juan Diaz visits the area now called Argentina and claims it for
the Spanish crown. In 1535 Buenos Aires is founded by Pedro de Mendoza. Only in 1816,
Argentina gained independence from Spain. In 1880 Buenos Aires became capital of
Argentina. In the next fifty years from 1880 onwards Argentina was one of the richest
nations. In 1982 Argentina went to war with Britain to try to get the Falkland Islands but
this was unsuccessful for the Argentines.
Argentina Facts | Argentina Map
Where is Argentina? Argentina is located on the South American continent and borders five
countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. The longest border is shared between
Argentina and Chile.
This is the world's eight largest country and second largest country of South America after Brazil.
Argentina Map
To the east of Argentina is the Atlantic Ocean and in the north east there is also the border to
Uruguay. To the west are the Andes which form a natural border with Chile. In the north,
Argentina borders Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil.
A flight to Buenos Aires from London takes about 14 hours, and takes about 11 hours from New
York.
Argentina covers about one third as much land area compared with the size of the USA or is
similar in size as the African countries of Namibia, South Africa and Mozambique combined!
Argentina Facts | Geography
Flat grassy plains that cover most of central and northern Argentina. Most of the pampas is used
to heard cattle and sheep which there are more than humans.
The pampas in Argentina are generally just flat fertile plains. The word 'pampas' is a word from
the Quechua Indians language and means 'flat surface'.
Sheep in the Pampas
To the south is the Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia with a very cold climate. The Tierra del Fuego
is a group of islands at the southern tip of Argentina. The biggest island of the Tierra del Fuego is
Isla Grande which is also the biggest island in South America.
The Tierra del Fuego has high mountains and very cold weather as it is quite close to Antarctica.
The Tierra del Fuego is split between Chile and Argentina.
Patagonia is northern part of the Tierra del Fuego and consists of dry pampas vegetation and also
has high mountains and huge glaciers such as the world famous Perito Moreno Glacier.
Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina
The Andes are a huge mountain range, the longest in the world, that also mark the natural border
between Chile and Argentina.
Argentina Geo Superlatives
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Aconcagua is the highest mountain in South America and is part of the Argentine Andes.
Aconcagua mountain has a height of 6,962 meters/ 22,841 ft. and this is also the tallest
mountain in the Western Hemisphere.
Hiking with view of Aconcagua
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Argentina's longest river is the Paraná River, which forms a natural border between
Paraguay and Argentina
Bridge over the Paraná river
between Rosario and Victoria.
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The largest lake is called Largo Argentino. This is the largest freshwater lake in
Argentina. The deepest point is 500 m/ 1640 ft deep.
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The Laguna de Carbon spots the lowest point in the western Hemisphere with -105 m/
345 ft.
Argentina Facts
Attractions for Kids
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Buenos Aires: The capital city and most populous city with cafes, restaurants and the
tango. Places to see in Buenos Aires include the la Boca district with its colourful buildings,
or the city centre.
Buenos Aires in Argentina
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Córdoba: This is the second largest city in Argentina and it is also one of the oldest cities
in Argentina.
Cordoba in Argentina
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Mendoza Wine Region: This beautiful area with the Andes mountains in the background
has the best wines in Argentina and is one of the biggest wine producing areas in the
world.
Mendoza Wine Valley in Argentina
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Argentine Andes Mountains: The place to go for outdoors if you want to ski, hike, climb.
You will enjoy the many outdoor activity in the Argentine Andes.
Las Lenas in Argentina
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Iguazu Falls: Located on the border between Argentina and Brazil, about ⅔ of the
waterfalls belong to Argentina. These waterfalls are among the largest waterfalls in the
world and stretch over 2.7 km/ 1.6 miles. The falls are actually a series of 275 falls.
Iguazu Falls in Argentina
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Perito Moreno Glacier: This world famous glacier is in Patagonia and stretches a distance
of 30 km/ 18 miles and has an area of 250 sq km/ 97 sq miles.
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Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia: It is fascinating to experience unspoilt nature. And visit
the southernmost large settlement, Ushuaia.
Ushuaia - southernmost point of Argentina
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Ibera Wetlands: The second biggest wetland in the world after the Pantanal in Brazil, this
is a huge swampland lots of mammals and birds such as capybaras and alligators.
Ibera Wetlands
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Nahuel Huapi: The oldest national park of Argentina is located in northern Patagonia
which is popular with hikers and nature enthusiasts.
Nahuel Huapi National Park
Argentina Facts
Animals in Argentina
There are other animals such as armadillos, king penguins and capybaras.
Capybara with two babies
There are huge numbers of sheep and cattle in the pampas regions and also horses are common.
In Argentina there are also native snakes such as the tropical rattle snake or the crossed pit viper,
both of them are very poisonous.
In Tierra del Fuego, there is a vast range of wildlife especially along the coastline.
Seals and cormorants in Tierra del Fuego
Argentina Facts
Argentina People
One third of the population in Argentina live in the capital city Buenos Aires. 92% of the people
live in urban centres, which means cities and towns.
The biggest cities in Argentina are Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Rosario and Mendoza. Patagonia is only
sparsely populated.
In Argentina, herders on horseback called 'gauchos' look after the large herds of cattle or sheep.
Gaucho - Herders
In Argentina, kids go to either free public schools or attend private schools which can be really
expensive. In private schools pupils wear a uniform, often complete with tie and blazer, whereas
at public schools the pupils all have to wear a white lab coat over their dress so they look alike.
Children either attend school during the morning shift from 8am-1pm, afternoon from 1pm-6pm
or some might even be required to sit in school during a night shift.
The sports that are the most popular in Argentina are soccer (called fútbol), basketball, rugby and
tennis. The national sport, however, is called 'pato' and is similar to polo.
Pato match in Argentina
Pato is played on horseback with the rider holding a net in the hand. However, few play the
national sport as it is an expensive sport. Soccer is the most popular sports activity and Argentina
has won the world cup two times. There are famous soccer stars such as Maradona, Messi and
others.
Argentina is the world's biggest exporter of soybean meal and the third biggest exporter of both
corn and raw soybeans.
About famous Argentine people and the Tango
Tango Dancers
Famous Argentines include former national soccer player Diego Maradona, who scored the world
famous goal ("hand of god') against England in the 1986 world cup. Another famous soccer player
is Leonel Messi who is celebrated currently by many as the best soccer player.
José de San Martín is an idol for many Argentines. He is the national hero who helped to free
the southern parts of South America from the Spanish in the struggle for independence.
A famous Argentine invention is the tango dance, which originated in Buenos Aires at the end of
the 19th century. It is interesting to know that today there are different types of tango styles, and
some of the biggest dance schools were developed by dancers who come from Italian immigrant
families in Argentina. Tango dancers usually tell sad stories with their dance moves.
Argentina Facts | Language
The official language used in Argentina is Spanish. Argentina is the largest Spanish speaking
country in South America. Spanish is used as the official language as the Spanish brought with
them the language as they arrived and settled in Argentina.
Hola means Hello
The Spanish spoken in Argentina, however, has developed differently over the centuries and
sounds different to the Spanish spoken in Spain.
Indigenous languages which are spoken by many Argentines are Mapuche, Guarani and Quechua.
Other European languages such as Italian, English, German, French are also spoken by most
Argentines.
Argentina Facts | Argentine Food
Typical Argentine food consists of lots of meat. Argentine Beef is known worldwide for its full
flavour and tenderness. Lunch is actually the largest meal of the whole day.
Argentine people love their 'Asado' where food is typically prepared on a grill or over open fire as
part of a barbecue (BBQ).
Asado Typical Argentine Barbecue
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Asado: food prepared on a grill or over open fire as part of a barbecue (BBQ). On
the asado, there is usually beef, pork ribs and sausages or also lamb.
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Alfajores: sweet biscuits filled with dulce de leech cream and rolled in shredded coconut
shavings
Argentine
alfajores
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Dulce de Leche: literally means sweet from milk and that is what it is, also called 'milk
candy' in English. Delicious 'dulce de leche' cheesecake is made with this sweet creamy
syrup. In Argentina 'dulce de leche' is made with milk, sugar and a little vanilla.
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Empanadas: Deep-fried or baked stuffed pastry pockets with either a savoury (cheese,
vegetable or minced chicken or beef meat) or a sweet filling (with dulce de leche or sweet
potato paste for example)
Empanadas
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Maté Tea: Made from 'yerba mate' which is a local herb and is then sipped through a
straw which is called 'bombilla'.
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Carbonada: a savory thick stew often served in a holed out pumpkin.
Carbonada
Argentine
Argentina Facts
Recommended Reading
Sources for our Argentina Facts page:
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Central Intelligence Agency. "Argentina." CIA World Fact Book. Last update 22 March 2022.
Last accessed 2 April 2022
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"Argentina's Colossal Perito Moreno Glacier. Twisted Sifter. 1 July 2013. Last accessed 2
April 2022
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"Argentina - Famous Argentines." Nations Encyclopedia. Last accessed 2 April 2022
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The Children’s Visual World Atlas (2004). Sydney: Fog City Press
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Earth Condensed (2010). The World Atlas. Elanora Heights: Millennium House