Advertisement
Last Articles
Last News
- Drug-trafficking gang detained holding 93 kilos of cocaine in Moreno [04/15/2011]
- Gov’t says political reform 'will not distort the open primary election process' [04/15/2011]
- Gov’t officializes use of combined-list ballots for October elections [04/15/2011]
- Ex-Bodegas Giol site demolition commences [04/15/2011]
Argentina People
Between the 1850s and 1940, more than 3.5 million immigrants arrived in Argentina, about 45 percent of them from Italy and 32 percent from Spain. Prior to the 1960s, substantial numbers also came from Britain, Germany, France, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Poland, Russia, Wales, the middle East, and Japan. Spanish is the official language and is spoken universally, but a number of Argentines also speak English, Italian, German, French, or Native American languages (Guarani, Quechua, Mapuche, etc.). Despite the mix of ancestries and languages, Argentines are fiercely nationalistic.
Approximately 90 percent of the population is nominally Roman Catholic. However, some studies indicate that fewer than 10 percent of Argentines are actively practicing Catholics. Protestants and Jews each account for about 2 percent of the population, with the remaining 6 percent representing adherents of various other religions.
Individuality:
Argentines place a high value on individuality. One of the most vibrant symbols of the past which is supposed to represent the national character is the Gaucho -that near-mythical legendary historical plainsman who is independent, brave, athletic, a bold warrior, loyal, and generous. The Gaucho is the idealized version of a complex historical figure who has become etched into the Argentine consciousness. Modern Argentines believe that they have incorporated the values associated with the Gaucho into their own system. At the same time, Argentines can express their concern for others with gauchadas, Gaucho-like acts of generosity, such as going out of one's way to help someone else solve a problem. Argentines take great pride in being in a position to offer a gauchada.