POPULATION
Argentina has a population of approximately 46 million, concentrated in the Pampas and along the Río de la Plata coastline. The major cities are Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Rosario, and Mendoza, while Patagonia remains almost uninhabited. The population is largely descended from waves of European immigration in the late 19th century.
CAPITAL
The capital is Buenos Aires, which lies on the Río de la Plata. It is the political, cultural, and economic center of the country.
Among the most notable sights are: the Casa Rosada, the Caminito in La Boca, the Teatro Colón, the Recoleta Cemetery, and the Obelisk on Avenida 9 de Julio.
CLIMATE
Argentina’s climate ranges from subtropical in the north to nearly Antarctic in the south; in Buenos Aires, it is mild and humid.
• Summer (December–February): between 25°C and 33°C, with muggy weather and summer thunderstorms.
• Winter (June–August): between 5°C and 15°C on the Pampas, with snow in Patagonia and the Andes.
• Spring and fall: between 15°C and 25°C—the best seasons to travel.
The seasons are reversed compared to the Northern Hemisphere.
CURRENCY
The official currency is the Argentine peso (ARS).
Convert Argentine Pesos to Swiss Francs.
SPOKEN LANGUAGES
• Spanish: the official language, with the Rioplatense accent in Buenos Aires.
• Italian: inherited from the great wave of immigration, understood and used by many.
• English: widely used in tourism and business.
RELIGION
The predominant religion is Catholicism, which has historically been linked to the nation’s identity.
There are growing evangelical communities, one of the largest Jewish communities in Latin America in Buenos Aires, and a growing proportion of non-religious people.
ART
Argentine art blends European heritage with the cultures of the Southern Cone.
• Architecture: from Spanish colonial to Art Nouveau and Art Deco in Buenos Aires.
• Handicrafts: Andean textiles, ponchos, mate sets, and estancia tools.
• Music and dance: the tango of Buenos Aires, from the milongas to Piazzolla, and the folk dances of the chacarera and zamba.
• Art and history: urban murals, the MALBA, and the gaucho culture of the Pampas.
CULTURE
Argentine culture is sociable and centered around food and music.
• Family and Society: the long after-dinner conversation and socializing outdoors.
• Traditional clothing: the gaucho outfit with bombachas and a beret, worn at rural festivals.
• Holidays: Carnival, May 25 (May Revolution), and the national grape harvest festivals in Mendoza.
• Traditions: sharing mate, Sunday asado, and a passion for soccer.
FOOD
Argentine cuisine is meat-based and criollo, with beef as the undisputed star.
Typical dishes
• Asado: the traditional barbecue, featuring cuts of meat and skewers cooked over hot coals.
• Empanadas: savory pastries filled with meat, onion, and egg.
• Milanesa: a breaded cutlet, often prepared Neapolitan-style.
• Locro: a stew made with corn and meat, a traditional dish served on national holidays.
Beverages
Mate is enjoyed throughout the day, along with wines from Mendoza, ranging from Malbec to Torrontés.