Argentine people have a complex and attractive identity. Their style is more similar to the European than the American. They are worldwide known for being seductive, clever, paradoxical and, above all, for considering friendship to be a cult.

You can find descendants from immigrants from almost every continent and they contribute to the culture of the country.

The arrival of millions of immigrants from very distant lands was a need of the governments after 1879, in order to take advantage of the prospects of those lands taken from the aborigines and of the economical opportunities at that time. Jewish, Sephardic and Ashkenazis, Spanish, Italian, French, Polish, Greek and many other immigrants from countries existing at the time constituted the majority of the arrivals in the Port of Buenos Aires.

The population of Argentina was estimated at 36.2 million inhabitants in 2001. 50% is concentrated in the province of Buenos Aires and the Federal Capital. The majority of the population (97%) descends from European immigrants who settled at the beginning of the 20th century (mainly Spanish and Italian) and from border and eastern countries in the last decades.

European influences can be found in the Argentine art, architecture and lifestyle.

In the Literature field there is a predominant cultural mixture that was the origin of authors of international relevance such as Jorge Luis Borges, Julio Cortázar, Ernesto Sábato, Manuel Puig and Osvaldo Soriano.

The Argentine movies business is the most developed in Latin America. It is the seat of important festivals, such as the INDEPENDENT MOVIES FESTIVAL OF BUENOS AIRES and the MOVIES FESTIVAL OF MAR DEL PLATA.


There are two typical musical genres in this country that represent two different regions::

•  the tango, that mainly represents Buenos Aires rather than the rest of the country and that has become the musical symbol of Argentina abroad.

•  the folklore, that mainly represents the inner country and its main representatives are Mercedes Sosa, Horacio Guarani, Los Nocheros, Soledad, among others.

•  The cuarteto and the cumbia, originated in the province of Córdoba, began to take part in national music.

Outside the traditional genres, we can find rock and pop represented by the emblematic Charly García, Luis Alberto Spinetta, Fito Páez and also Gustavo Ceratti (ex Soda Stereo), among others.

Soccer is the most popular sport in Argentina and the one that generates the strongest emotions. Other sports in which Argentine people stand out are polo (world champions), rugby (among the best five in the world), female hockey (world champions), tennis, car racing, box, ski, hunting and fishing. At present, all adventure sports are gradually beginning to appear and it can also be noticed that there is a revival of basketball encouraged by the performance of the popular idol Manuel Ginobilli.

A good meal represents a cult in Argentina. The variety and quality of the food produced in the country, and the abundance in the Argentine fields turn a good meal and drink into an opportunity to get together and enjoy for most Argentine people.
The cow meat is the main meal for Argentine people. The asado is the most typical way of cooking meat and it represents a true ritual where family and friends get together at weekends.
Italian food and the traditional pasta are also worth mentioning.

The several types of pizzas are praised even by Italian people and they show a balance of taste among the dough, sauces and muzzarela cheese.

The empanadas represent a typically Argentine (Creole) meal. Another typical dish is the matambre, which is a sort of meat roll stuffed with pepper, eggs and vegetables that can be served either cold or warm. The regional food also features the locro (a stew of corn and pork) and the carbonada (a stew of meat, beans and rice).

The wines confirm this country as one of the best wineries in the world.

The mate – prepared with a green herb that is drunk as an infusion – is the most typical drink. In order to make it, you have to fill 2/3rds of the container with yerba, place the cylinder (bombilla) and then pour hot water up to the edge making up a foamy cover.

The ice cream stores of Buenos Aires are populated in summer as well as in winter, since it is impossible to resist this delicious and intense temptation.

The alfajor is a sweet that is traditional and very popular in Argentina. It consists of two round dough dishes, filled with dulce de leche and covered with a chocolate coating. The most famous alfajores are manufactured in the city of Mar del Plata.