In 2019, Argentina attracted the most international tourists of any country in South America—and there’s a good reason for that. With its unique cultural flair, dazzling landscapes, and, above all, such passionate people, few visitors are able to resist the many charms of Argentina.

The very name of the country conjures up images of sizzling steaks and twirling tangos, but what about Argentina beyond the postcard? Diving deeper into the Argentine culture reveals hidden treasures that will develop your appreciation of this amazing country.

That’s why we’ve put together 15 of the most surprising facts about Argentina. If you’re planning on traveling to the country, then you need to read below; if you’re not, maybe these facts will change your mind!

Did you know that Argentina has one of the most fascinating presidential histories of any country in the world, or that its prolific film industry has been in the business for more than 100 years?

Venture beyond the typical tourist’s knowledge with these 15 interesting facts about Argentina!

1. Yerba mate is the national drink

No, Argentina’s national drink isn’t red wine, but the widely-popular caffeine-packed hot beverage, mate. It’s made from yerba mate—green leaves which are chopped and dried before being added to tea water to create an earthy, slightly bitter flavor. 

Mate predates Spanish colonization and is considered a trusty source of energy and focus. Today, you’ll find mate drinkers wherever you go in Argentina; it’s an important part of the country’s culture—there’s even a national day in its honor on November 30th!

2. National hero Maradona has his own religion

You probably know that Argentines are some of the most obsessive soccer fans on the planet, but were you aware that they have a religion dedicated to the late great sporting legend, Diego Maradona?

‘La Iglesia Maradoniana’ (literally the ‘Maradonian Church’) was born in Rosario in 1998. The religion has its own church and satirical take on the 10 Commandments (our favorite: “The ball is never soiled”). Today, it boasts some 120,000 global followers!

3. Virtually all Argentines hail from Europe

Argentina (and especially Buenos Aires) is often described as a fusion of European and indigenous influences, but you may be surprised to hear that as many as 97% of Argentinians descend from Europe.

The most prominent ethnic group is Italian, followed closely by Spanish, though many others abound including Afro-Argentinians and small pockets of Native Americans. All of these groups make up Argentina’s vivid cultural tapestry.

4. Argentina boasts the highest and lowest points in the Southern Hemisphere 

Here’s one for the geographers: Argentina is home to both the highest and lowest points in the Southern Hemisphere. The deadly Andean peaks of Mount Aconcagua (the highest mountain in the world outside of Asia) reach 6,692 meters, while the lowly Laguna del Carbon salt lake sits 105 meters below sea level.

This curious fact underlines Argentina’s remarkable variety of ecosystems. From icy Patagonian glaciers and jaw-dropping waterfalls to sprawling deserts and unearthly sandstone valleys, the vast country’s rich landscapes are a major pull for many tourists.

5. Gaucho culture is still alive and kicking

Gauchos, the nomadic horsemen deeply embedded in Argentina’s folklore tradition, thrived in the mid-18th and 19th centuries as they moved from place to place, capturing the eye wherever they went.

Few figures are more romanticized in the national culture, and there are real Argentine cowboys keeping the gaucho tradition alive today. They can be still be found roaming the rural regions, tending to their cattle and working the land in Pampas—Argentina’s agricultural heartland.

6. Argentines eat very late

What sounds to you like a reasonable time to eat dinner? 6pm? 7pm, perhaps? For most Argentines, the answer is no earlier than 10pm. In some cases, dinner continues until the early hours of the next day! 

This is important information for traveling tourists, as most restaurants won’t open for dinner until 9pm. To sustain their stomachs, locals have merienda between lunch and dinner, at around 5pm—this is a light meal involving a coffee or mate and a tasty pastry from the local panadería.

7. The world’s first animated feature film was made in Argentina

You’d be forgiven for assuming this accolade belonged to Walt Disney, but the person responsible for the world’s first full-length cartoon was actually an Argentine by the name of Quirino Cristiani. His silent black-and-white film El Apóstol was released more than 100 years ago, in 1917!

El Apóstol was sadly lost in apartment film in 1928, but Cristiani’s legacy continues to be felt today in Argentina’s thriving film industry. With the fourth-highest box office revenue in Latin America, Argentina’s eclectic cinema scene is a great reason for film buffs to visit.

8. Argentina’s national sport isn’t soccer...

For a country with an entire religion dedicated to a soccer player, you may be surprised to hear that Argentina’s official national sport is actually pato. Pato is a kind of mix between polo and basketball, where two teams on horseback attempt to throw a ball into the opponent’s net.

Literally meaning ‘duck’, pato has its roots in gaucho culture and dates back more than 400 years. In those days, a dead duck wrapped in a leather bag was used instead of a ball, hence the sport’s name. 

9. Argentina was the first South American country to legalize same-sex marriage

When Argentina legalized same-sex marriage in 2010, it became the first country in South America, the second in the Americas (after Canada), and the tenth worldwide to do. At the time of writing, four other nations in Latin America have since followed suit.

Despite Argentina’s strong ties to Catholicism, locals are generally very tolerant of LGBTQ+ communities, especially in the bigger cities. Buenos Aires in particular has a vibrant LGBTQ+ scene, with plenty of gay-friendly venues based in the Palermo district.

10. Argentina is big on therapy

Argentina is said to have the most psychologists per capita of any country globally. As of 2015, there were around 198 psychologists per 100,000 inhabitants, the large majority of whom are based in Argentina’s capital city. 

Unlike in many other countries, mental health is destigmatized in Argentina. Most porteños (Buenos Aires population) see therapy—in particular, psychoanalysis—as an important part of everyday life that supports their self-development. 

11. Argentina has had two female presidents

Argentina is one of a small number of countries to have had two women in the highest position of power. Isabel Martínez de Perón, Argentina’s first female president, technically wasn’t elected: she filled the position when her husband died in office in 1974, though she was later placed under house arrest and exiled to Spain.

Fernández de Kirchner had a more successful term. Elected in 2007, she served as Argentina’s president for eight years until 2015.

12. Argentina’s summer months are from December to February

Sitting deep below the equator, Argentina’s seasonal cycles are the reverse of those found in North America and Europe. Scorching summer heat arrives between December and February, while temperatures drop to an average of about 54°F in June and July.

Argentina’s sun-kissed summer months are undoubtedly the most popular time of year to visit for tourists, but they’re also the wettest; if you’re visiting at this time, remember to pack a light waterproof!

13. Earth’s largest-ever land animal once roamed Argentina

In 2012, a new species of titanosaur believed to be the largest land animal to ever exist was discovered in the Patagonian deserts. Recent research suggests the creature’s size could surpass the previous largest-known dinosaur, the Argentinosaurus, also found in Argentina. 

The gigantic beast wandered modern-day Patagonia 98 million years ago, and paleontologists believe it may have exceeded 120 feet in length—that’s comfortably bigger than a fully-grown blue whale!

14. Argentina once had 5 different presidents in a 10-day period

Argentina has come a long way over the last couple of decades. At the turn of the century, however, things weren’t so pretty. Financial crashes in Russia and Brazil had a crippling impact on the country as the value of the Argentine peso plummeted.

Argentina’s own economic crash culminated in a governmental collapse in 2001. Following violent protests, President Fernando de la Rua resigned, with four presidents taking up the post in the following ten days.

15. Argentina has the highest consumption of red meat in the world

Once you attend your first asado, this fact will begin to make perfect sense. From fire-grilled ribs to tender chorizo, Argentina is a meat lovers’ paradise—you can hardly blame locals for indulging in red meat a little more than they probably should!

If you’re a vegetarian, don’t let Argentina’s carnivorous streak put you off from visiting; a culinary revolution is happening, with more vegan dining options cropping up across the major cities. 

Planning a Trip to Argentina?

We hope these interesting facts about Argentina have deepened your insight into the country and introduced you to some of its most endearing quirks, such as its fútbol fanaticism or unique dining culture. 

But we’ve barely scratched the surface: there’s so much more to discover by visiting the country first-hand!

Are considering a trip to Argentina? Contact us at Learn From Travel to arrange a fully-customizable travel experience with our on-the-ground experts.