[Amazing] 25 Things You Never Knew About Argentina Besides Its Incredible Natural Beauty
Although it has been inhabited since the paleolithic era, the region that would become Argentina eventually became a colony of Spain. Although it fought for and won its independence in the early 1800s, there was a long civil war afterwards that lasted until the second half of the century. But for most of the late 1800s and early 1900s Argentina was a peaceful and stable nation. Waves of European immigration changed the face of the country completely. In fact, at the turn of the 20th century, Argentina was the 7th wealthiest nation in the world. It was stable, prosperous, and was one of the most coveted destinations for immigrants. And to give you some perspective, the 7th wealthiest country today is the UK. But, as all good things come to an end, so did Argentina’s stability. In the 1930s it descended into political instability and hasn’t managed to recover since then. In spite of that, along with Chile, it has remained one of the wealthiest and most advanced countries in South America. Apart from the political and economic situation, Argentina is blessed with some of the most amazing geography in the world. From alpine peaks to subtropical beaches, Argentina has it all. These are 25 things you never knew about Argentina besides its incredible natural beauty!
Featured Image: Global Jet via Flickr
At the turn of the 20th century, Argentina was the 10th wealthiest nation in the world. Today it is the 54th wealthiest. This is due to instability over the course of the last century.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
During its darkest days, people were even pushed out of airplanes while over the ocean with weights around their feet. This was intended to prevent bodies from being found as evidence
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
Political parties have their own beer brands
Source: ap.org, Image: wikipedia
The toothpaste brand Colgate faced marketing issues in Argentina because "colgate" means "go hang yourself"
Source: wikipedia, Image: theimpulsivebuy via Flickr
Pope Francis used to be a bar bouncer in Buenas Aires
Source: wikipedia, Image: pixabay
9th of July, in Buenas Aires is the world's largest avenue
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
Argentina has the highest number of psychiatrists per capita of any country on Earth
Source: cnn.com, Image: wikipedia
In 1977, Argentina sent a pregnant mother to Antarctica and her son became the first person to be born on the continent. They did this in order to lay claim to what they consider their land.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
Che Guevara, was actually a medical student from Argentina
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
Nearly half (40%) of the population are of Italian descent. A good portion of the rest have German heritage.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
The name Argentina is derived form the Latin word Argentum, meaning "silver. The original colonists thought the new world was full of it.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
Since 1970, Argentina has dropped 13 zeroes off of their currency due to inflation.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
Between 1974 and 1983, nearly 30,000 went missing in Argentina thanks to the military dictatorship.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
In 2001, the country had 5 presidents in 10 days
Source: wikipedia
There is a Welsh speaking region in Argentina that has its own dialect
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
If they want to buy dollars before traveling abroad, Argentinian citizens have to send an application to the government explaining where, when, and why they are traveling (currency controls by the government)
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
Surveys have found that Argentinians listen to the radio more than any other country (20 hours per week)
Source: prnewswire.com, Image: pixabay
Over the past 180 years the Earth's magnetic field has been steadily weakening, mainly over Brazil and Argentina
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
In 1818, an Argentinian pirate named Hippolyte Bouchard attacked Monterey, California and successfully raised the Argentinian flag
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
At nearly 6,959 meters (22,831 ft), Aconcagua is the highest mountain in the world outside of Asia
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
Along with 17 other nations, Argentina is one of the world's mega-diverse countries. This is because it has a wide variety of climatic and regional zones. These vary from the subtropical north all the way to the polar south.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
Argentina has the largest railway system in South America
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
CONAE is the space agency of Argentina
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
Argentina is the top tourist destination in South America with 5.57 million visitors in 2013
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
Officials in Lionel Messi's hometown have banned parents from naming their children Messi
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
