Argentina Discovery

The people

Demography

The population is estimated  at 36.26 millio n (2001 census), with an annual growth rate of 1.3%. 97% are of European origin, mainly Spanish and Italian, and there are several larg e expatriate communities including German and British.

Mestizos (mixed aboriginal and Spanish) live mainly in the north-west and north-east of the country. There are also significant Arab and Jewish communities.

Whilst population density is 13 per km2 over the country as a whole, much of the land is sparsely populated and settlement is larg ely concentrated  in the eastern provinces around the city of Buenos Aires (Buenos Aires Province, Córdoba, Santa Fé and Entre Ríos), where 80% of the people live on only 20% of the land. 88.3% of the population is urban and 40% live in cities of 100 000 or more. 45% of the population is under 15. Life expectancy is 70.3 years (males) and 77.4 years (females).

Distribution

The Federal Capital is Buenos Aires, which stands on the Río de la Plata. Most large companies have their head offices in the city and some 70% of the country’s imports enter through the port. Greater Buenos Aires, which consists of the Federal Capital and adjacent towns, has a population of almost 14 million. The country’s principal manufacturing industries are concentrated in this area. La Plata, population 521 900, situated only 56 km south-

east of the Federal Capital, is the capital of the Province of Buenos Aires. The main industries are meatpacking, shipbuilding, steel rolling and petroleum refining.

Mar del Plata has a resident population of about 512 880 and is situated 400 km from Buenos Aires. It is the country’s principal seaside resort (two million visitors each summer), with wide beaches, casinos and nightclubs.

Mar del Plata is also a thriving fishing port. Bahía Blanca, about 640 km south of Buenos Aires, is one of the country’s main ports. With a population of 260 090, it serves as a distribution centre and export outlet for the agricultural produce of the Provinces of La Pampa, Mendoza, Río Negro and the southern part of Buenos Aires

Province.

Concerned by the extent to which Buenos Aires is becoming an ‘uncontrolled megalopolis’, the former President, Raul Alfonsín, decided to move the Federal Capital to Viedma, the small provincial capital at the mouth of the Río Negro. However, the plan has since been scrapped. Co modoro Rivadavia, 800 km farther south, has a population of some 150 000, and is a fast growing town at the centre of one of the country’s largest oil-producing areas. A petrochemical plant has been built together with a pipeline that carries natu ral gas to Buenos Aires - a distance of 1 770 km.

Rosario, with a population of 907 700 is an inland port on the Paraná river 320 km north of Buenos Aires. A handsome city of wide boulevards and open spaces, Rosario is an important commercial and distribution centre and a principal export outlet for the rich agricultural provinces of Entre Ríos, Santa Fé and Córdoba. Many new industrial plants, p articularly those concerned with the metallurgical and chemical industries, have been established along the Paraná river near Rosario.

Santa Fé, 160 km further up the Paraná river, has a population of about 353 060. It is the centre of a cattle rearing and grain-growing region and is an important grain-exporting port, accessible to ocean-going vessels.

Industries include zinc and copper smelting plants. The port town of Paraná (population 207 040) is the capital of the Province of Entre Ríos and is situated on the opposite bank to Santa Fé.

Resistencia (population 229 200) is situated some 1 040 km north of Buenos Aires. It is the capital of the Chaco Province and adjoins the river port of Barranqueras. Industries include lead-smelting and cotton textiles.

Corrientes, capital of Corrientes Province, has a population of 258 100, and lies on the Paraná river opposite Resistencia, with which it is connected by the General Belgrano Bridge, 2.75 km long.

Córdoba, 720 km north-west of Buenos Aires, has a population of over 1.157 million and is Argentina’s second city. It is a rapidly growing engineering centre, particularly for the motor industry. Mendoza (population 121 700) lies 1 060 km to the west of Buenos Aires in th e foothills of the Andes. Traditional industries are wine

and fruit processing; important oil deposits are being developed nearby. North of Mendoza is the fast growing oasis of San Juan (population 353 000). San Miguel de Tucumán, about 1 120 km north-west of Buenos Aires, has a population of 622 300 and is the centre of the sugar indu stry. Salta in the far north-west has become a

tourist and handcrafts centre. The region produces large quantities of sugar and tob acco and is rich in minerals, including oil.

Language

The language of the country is Spanish with variant words and pronunciation. In fact, the Spanish spoken in Argentina is quite distinct in accent and intonation from other Latin-American Spanish, probably because of the high proportion of Argentines who are of Italian descent. Those with knowledge of Spanish (Castilian or Latin American Spanish) will have no difficulty in understanding, and being understood by, the local people. A working knowledge of Spanish is essential. A number of indigenous languages are also spoken; for example,

Guaraní, Quechua and Mapuche.

English is widely used in business and is spoken in many of the larger business houses, but not by all, nor by many of the officials in government departments. A few people speak and understand French, German or Italian.

Religion

Roman Catholicism is the state relig ion and over 85% of the population describe themselves as Catholics. There is freedom of worship and most Christian denominations are represented (about 7% are Protestants). There is a Jewish community in Buenos Aires (2%).

Although the Roman Catholic Church exerts great influence over many social customs and celebrations, only a minority of Catholics are actively involv ed in  the church. In fact, Argentina is considered to be more secularised than most of its neighbours.

Social customs and modes of address

Social customs

Machismo is much in evidence and women, especially in rural areas, are expected to keep in the background.

However, women are now entering the workforce in increasing numbers, although few have reached senior positions.

For business and formal social events, dress should be smart but conservative. The Arg entines themselves are very fashion-conscious and women appear well dressed in public, even for a casual event. Otherwise, casual dress is perfectly acceptable, especially amongst younger people.

Life in Buenos Aires still h as an old-fashioned formality. When greeting formally for the first time, Argentines shake hands and nod slightly to show respect. A brief embrace with a kiss on the cheek is common among friends and is practised by both men and women. It is customary to bring a gift when entertained at an Argentine home (e.g. flowers, imported whisky). It is normal to arrive up to an hour later than the time specified unless otherwise informed by the host. Dinner is usually served between 21.00 and 22.30 hours. Informal barbecues are

very popular at weekends.

Argentines often gesticulate to supplement or emphasise conversation. Whilst talking, personal space tends to be small and physical contact between individuals, common. Eye contact is considered important. Placing one’s hands on the hips, yawning without covering the mouth or pointing with the index finger is considered impolite.

Argentines do not consider it rude to comment on another’s personal appearance. For example, to call someone ‘gordita’ or ‘little fat one’ is a typical term of endearment. Alcohol is freely available and smo king is not restricted. Many Argentines are heavy smokers.

Modes of address

Unlike other Spanish-speaking countries, the double surname is not used. Titles are important and people should be addressed appropriately (e.g. Señor, Señora, Doctor). First names should not be used until invited to do so.