Argentina

Quick Facts:

Area:	2,766,890 sq. km
Population:	37,812,817 mil.(July 2002 est.)
Capital:	Buenos Aires
Language:	Spanish
Religion:	nominally Roman Catholic 92% (20% practicing), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 4%
Currency:	Argentinean peso (ARP)
YFU’s web site:	www.yfu.org.ar

 Introduction

Argentina roughly translated means "land of silver" or "silvery one." The country received its name from Spanish explorers who were presented with objects of silver by the first Native Americans they met. In the 19th century, this former colony of Spain was the land of gauchos, the Argentine cowboy, and of estancieros, ranchers with huge properties. In the last part of the 19th century and the first quarter of the 20th, Argentina became the destination of choice for many poor European emigrants looking for a better life. These peoples brought skills that helped transform Argentina into a modern country whose agriculture and industry remain among the most productive in Latin America.

Short Facts

Area: Argentina, a federal union divided into 24 provinces, stretches from halfway down to the very southern point of South America, a distance of 3,776 km (2,360 miles). However, from east to west at its widest, Argentina is a mere 1,414 km (884 miles). This great length embraces regions of striking diversity, including the Andes Mountains; the thorny scrubland and seasonal swamps of the Gran Chaco; the broad, fertile plains of the Pampa; the stark tableland of Patagonia; and a coastline of 4,697 km (2,936 miles). Argentina also claims a portion of Antarctica, as well as several islands in the South Atlantic.

Climate: Although huge, most of the country lies within the temperate zone of the Southern Hemisphere. Only the very north occasionally experiences a tropical climate and the very south has a month of temperatures below freezing. Rainfall is scarce but some winter days can be quite gray and damp, especially in the Pampa.

Population: Almost all of Argentina’s 37 million people are white and of European ancestry. The European dominance is due to the heavy immigration mainly from Spain and Italy in the 19th century that almost totally absorbed the Indian population. More than four-fifths of the people live in urban areas, one-third in Buenos Aires alone. Boundaries between urban and rural life are quite clear cut. The Argentine people consider themselves vivos (lively),they are generous, humorous, and very patriotic.

Language: Spanish is the official language in Argentina and is widely spoken. Some influences from Italian can be found in the language, mostly in Buenos Aires. Dialects can be found all over the country and the kind of Spanish that is spoken in Argentina changes from region to region.

Religion: The official state religion is Roman Catholicism. It influences every day life, both officially and in the family. Religious minorities include Jews and Protestants.

Government: In 1930, Argentina ended its constitutional continuity and underwent a period of extreme conservatism that lasted until 1943, when Co. Juan Perón came to power. Together with his legendary wife Eva Perón(known as Evita by the masses) he pushed through a number of reforms in order to improve working conditions. Perón was removed from power in 1955 andsuccessive political leaders dedicated themselves to restoring constitutionalism. In 1976, Gen. Jorge Rafaél Videla created a military rule. His presidency, though marked by some economic improvement, is known as “The Dirty War” because of the massive violations of human rights, which resulted in the disappearance of thousands of potential enemies of the regime. After having lost the Falkland War to the United Kingdom in 1982,constitutionalism was restored. Today, Argentina is a federal unionof 24 provinces, each with their own local governments.

History: The area that is now Argentina reached a population of around 300,000 in the Pre-Hispanic period. Contrary to the highly developed Aztec, Maya, and Inca civilizations, the various Indian tribes in this region were either nomadic hunters and fishermen or primitive farmers of which the most well-known are the Diaguitas and the Guarani. Like most of the other Latin American countries, Argentina was conquered by the Spanish. However, the Indian tribes resisted invasion for quite some time. Juan Díaz de Solis, the first Spaniard in the country, was killed the year he arrived (1516), along with most of his followers. Buenos Aires, the present capital, was not securely established until the end of the 16th century, despite many efforts to do so. Jesuit priests also came to the country with the mission to unite and control its peoples through the Christian faith. However, they brought European diseases with them that quickly spread among the indigenous population and caused the near-extermination of many tribes.In the beginning of the 19th century British troops invaded Argentina. Their brief occupation of Buenos Aires created a feeling of nationalism that in 1816 initiated a declaration of independence by leaders of the liberation movement. The following years were characterized by internal struggles mainly between two political factions:Unitarists, who wanted a strong central government, and Federalists, who wanted more local control. In 1829, General Juan Manual de Rosas seized power, initiating a tyrannical rule and police brutality. He was overthrown in 1852, and in 1853 Argentina adopted a new constitution. Despite an unstable political situation in the 19th century, Argentina still experienced economic growth due to export of agricultural products. Butongoing European immigration and the failure of successive governments to deal with related problems threatened the economy. Thus, Argentina entered the 20th century with many unresolved problems.

Economy: Argentina is one of the world's major exporters of soybeans and wheat, as well as meat. It is also one of the largest producers of wool and wine, most of the wine being consumed domestically. Its imports include non-electrical and electrical machinery, chemicals, and petroleum products. Its main trading partners are Brazil, USA, and continental Europe. Argentina has experienced a great deal of inflation and has large foreign debts, even though its agriculture and industry are quite developed and the standard of living is far higher than the average Latin American country.

Education: School attendance is compulsory for grades 1-7, starting at age six. The adult literacy rate is 94%. Education has been largely influenced by Western Europe and more recently by the US. YFU students attend both public and private schools, depending on their host family. All schools have 12 compulsory subjects, but each is taught only two or three times a week. Students can choose the focus of their studies during the last two years: humanities, sciences, business, or technical studies.

Family Life: Most families have two to four children. No two Argentinean families are alike, but they tend to have certain things in common, such as a deep concern for their children and for their education. Therefore, Argentinean teenagers are used to a close family life. Students are expected to be wellmannered. Generally speaking, parents keep an eye on their children’s progressboth in and out of school. They demand good grades and behavior. It is not uncommon for grandparents to live with the family. In most cases, aunts, uncles, and other close relatives live in the same town. Extended families will frequently get together on weekends and for birthdays, holidays, and other special events.

Recreation: The most popular sport in Argentina is soccer. It is played everywhere by everyone, and when there is a match on TV, the streets are deserted and shops closed. Social activities are many. Dancing all night is popular with anyone from fifteen to fifty. Meeting on public squares to play the guitar and have a drink, or having a barbecue party, are common alternatives.

YFU in Argentina
YFU-Argentina was founded in 1964 and is a non-profit organization. Since then a large number of Argentine youth have participated in YFU programs to the US and other countries. The national director and three professional staff members work in Buenos Aires and are supported by a National Council of Volunteers. There are 30 regional YFU volunteer committees outside of Buenos Aires. All students will have a coordinator in the Buenos Aires office and a local counselor from the nearby regional volunteer committee.

Exchange activities for inbound students: For year students YFU Argentina arranges a 2-day orientation upon arrival and a re-entry before they go back to their home country. Moreover, optional trips to different parts of the country are arranged during the year, semester and language programs.

Host families and placement: Host families are of various socioeconomic backgrounds, but they will all be more than happy to share their lives with a YFU student.

Common Phrases

English	Spanish
Good Day	Buenos Dias
Good Night	Buenas Noches
Please	Por favor
Thank you	Gracias
How are you?	Como esta Usted?
I’m fine	Estoy bien
My name is	Me llamo
What’s your name?…	¿ Cómo te llamas?
I am happy to be in Argentina	Estoy contento de estar en Argentina