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TANGO dANcers
Tango developed in the 1880s in
the poorer districts of Buenos
Aires. By 1915, it had become a
craze in the fashionable ballrooms
of europe. Today, the sensuous
dance, accompanied by
melancholy song, is still popular
on the streets of the city.
Argentina 36-
ArGeNTiNA cONsisTs Of Three mAiN reGiONs. in the
north, lie the hot, humid lands of the Gran chaco. in the center, the
temperate grasslands of the Pampas provide some of the world’s best
farming country. Argentina is a world leader in beef exports and a
major producer of wheat, corn, fruit, and vegetables. in the far south,
the barren semidesert of Patagonia is rich in reserves of coal, petroleum,
and natural gas. Argentina was settled by the spanish in 1543. New
european diseases, as well as conflict between the spanish and Native
Americans, considerably reduced Argentina’s original population. in
the 19th century, many immigrants from southern europe, especially
spain and italy, came to Argentina to work on farms and cattle ranches.
Although spanish is the official language today, many other languages
are spoken, ranging from Welsh to Basque, reflecting the varied origins
of Argentina’s many settlers.
ANdes
This wall of mountains forms a natural border between
Argentina and its western neighbor, chile. in 1881, the
two countries signed a treaty defining this boundary.
in western Argentina, the extinct volcano, cerra
Aconcagua, reaches a height of 22,816 ft (6,959 m).
it is the highest peak in the south American Andes.
A street performance (below) of a
tango in Buenos Aires. The South
American version of the tango
developed from a blend of rhythms
brought to South America by African
slaves, as well as rhythms from Spain.
Argentina stretches for 2,150 miles
(3,460 km) down the southeastern
coast of south America. its border
in the west is defined by the Andes.
To the south it straddles the
strait of magellan.
BueNOs Aires
Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires, is
one of the largest cities in south
America. situated on the Plate river
estuary, it is also a major port and
thriving industrial center. it was
founded by spanish settlers in 1580,
and some historic buildings survive
today. The city expanded in the 19th
century when european immigrants
flooded to Argentina. its museums,
library, opera house, and cafés all give
the city a european flavor.
ArGeNTiNiAN WiNe
european vines were
introduced to Argentina
by spanish missionaries,
and thrived in the
temperate climate and
fertile soils of the central
regions. Argentina is the
fourth-largest wine-
producing country in
the world—though much
of the wine is for sale in
Argentina only.
Find out more
coal
south america
Asia, history of 43-
GAuchOs
These nomadic cowboys of the Argentine Pampas first
appeared in the 18th century, when they were hired
to hunt escaped horses and cattle. Their standard
equipment included a lasso, knife, and bolas (iron balls
on leather straps, thrown at the legs of the escaping
animals). in the 19th century, they were hired by
ranch owners as skilled cattle herders. Today,
Argentine cowboys keep their culture alive. They still
wear the gaucho costume of a poncho (a woollen
cape), high leather boots, and long, pleated trousers.
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