LATIN AMERICA

Argentina

Map

Size:

1.4 million square miles

Eight largest in the world

Capital:

Buenos Aires

Major Cities:

Cordoba, Rosario, Mendoza

Surrounding Countries:

Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay

Flag Information

Adopted: February 12, 1812

Four years before Argentina declared independence from Spain (1816).

The "Sun of May" design was added to the flag in 1818.

The blue and white colors were chosen by Manuel Belgrano, the leader of the Argentinian revolution against Spain.

Represent the blue sky parting to reveal white clouds, as is said to have happened when the Liberation demonstration began

Population and Currency

Population: 41.5 million

Language: Spanish

Currency: Argentine peso

Population and Currency

Ethnic/Racial:

85% European

Italian

Spanish

4% Arab

2% Native

9% Other

Religion:

70-90% Roman Catholic

Remaining: Protestant, Non-Religious, Islam, Other

Geography/Climate

Vast length = very diverse environments in climate, soil, and vegetation

Majority of Argentina's land is low and flat

Northeast = Subtropical, hot, and humid forests and wetlands

Temperate zone = not too hot or cold, stay moderate

The Pampas grasslands (flat, fertile plains) are ideal for ranching

Area of arid plains West = Andes Mountains

Geography/Climate and Food

Located in Southern Hemisphere = winter months are May through August, and the warmest summer month is January

Argentina's climate and rich, lowland regions combine to make it one of the world's greatest food-producing nations

Agriculture and Food

Beef is the national dish of Argentina

More than 4 percent of the world's cattle are raised by Argentine cattle ranchers.

Huge cattle ranches in Argentina

Gaucho, or Argentine cowboy, is a symbol of Argentine

Agriculture and Food

Internationally, Argentina is known for its excellent beef, a result of cattle bred on the wide grass lands Changed considerably in the

past several decades

Economy has been restructured to focus on grain exports

Grain cultivation requires land, and as a consequence, cows are commonly kept in closed pens

Agriculture and Food

Argentina commonly produces:

Grains (wheat, corn, barley)

Soybeans

Sunflower seeds

Lemons

Grapes

Tobacco

Peanuts

Tea

Apples

Peaches

Agriculture and Food

Wheat is the leading crop.

Argentina accounted for 75% of all wheat produced in South America in the early 2000 and was the world's fifth-leading wheat exporter

Argentina is also South America's largest producer of honey, an ingredient that makes its way into many delicious Argentine desserts.

Argentina is one of the greatest food-producing and food-exporting countries of the world due to it’s diverse climate and geography

Culture

Native Indians lived in Argentina many years before the European explorers arrived.

Grew squash, melons, and sweet potatoes

Spanish settlers came to Argentina in 1536.

Between 1880 and 1890, nearly one million immigrants came from Europe to live in Argentina.

Most were from Italy and Spain.

British, German, Jewish, and other immigrants also settled in Argentina, all bringing their styles of cooking and favorite foods with them.

The British brought tea, starting the tradition of teatime.

Culture

Because many Argentines are descendents of the Italian immigrants, Italian dishes are found throughout the country.

Some favorite Italian dishes include pizza, all kinds of pastas (such as spaghetti , lasagna, ravioli), and ñoquis , (gnocchi—potato dumplings) served with meat and tomato sauce.

Culture

Roman Catholic = most common religion

During Lent, a large festival, Carnival, is celebrated Dress up in costumes and dance Eat spicy food, including corn stew

and humitas en chala (corn patties wrapped and cooked in their husks)

Tradition to eat a cake in the shape of a large ring.

During Lent people avoid meat products – many seafood dishes are consumed Bocaditos (finger sandwiches), made

with shrimp are a popular lunch or snack food during Lent

Culture

On Easter, children eat chocolate eggs with tiny candies hidden inside.

On Christmas Eve Argentines eat a late meal of cold beef, chicken, or turkey, and fruit salad. Because Christmas occurs during summertime in South America, Argentines often eat the meal outside on decorated tables. After dinner, they eat almonds, dried fruits, and pan dulce , a sweet bread that is similar to fruitcake but has fewer fruits and nuts

Mealtime Customs

Argentine families, like families everywhere, are busy. Because everyone is on a different schedule, they aren't able to eat every meal together.

No rigid food taboos, but Argentines in general are not very adventurous when it comes to trying unusual foods, flavors, and combinations.

The most popular restaurants are steak houses and pizzerias.

Because of the strong Italian influence in foods, ice cream stores offering gelato made on the premises are extremely popular. People meet at any time of the day at cafés for an espresso or a cup of tea. These places are the heart and soul of urban culture in Argentina.

Mealtime Customs

Desayuno (day-sigh-OO-noh, breakfast) is very light and sometimes skipped all together.

Comida (coh-MEE-dah, lunch) is served from 12:30P.M.to 2:00P.M.

It used to be the biggest meal of the day.

This is changing because of tight work schedules that cause some working people to eat increasingly lighter dishes.

Cena (SAY-nah, dinner) is served from 9:00P.M.to 10:00P.M.

Menu – General

Argentines are very fond of beef and pastas.

Many dishes contain meat, but prepared in different ways.

Argentines eat more fruit than almost any other group of people in the world. Some favorite fruits include peaches, apricots, plums, pears, cherries, grapes, and tuna , the fruit of a prickly pear cactus.

Argentine asado, a barbecue that is part of the gaucho heritage, is still one of the most important meals in the Argentine diet.

Menu - Breakfast

In Argentina, breakfast is a thoroughly simple affair. The options rarely, if ever, move beyond the two key staples: tostadas (toast) or medialunas (croissant).

Drinks include coffee, tea, milk, or orange juice

Anywhere serving anything extravagant – including yogurt or fruit – or any form of cooked eggs is catering to tourists.

Menu - Lunch

Most working people in the cities have a small lunch such as a pizza from a local pizzaria.

A rural farmer eats a hot dish for lunch, of beef, potatoes, and chunks of corn-on-the-cob.

Upper-class city families usually eat a large midday meal of meat, potatoes, and green vegetables.

Menu - Dinner

Carbonada is a stew that contains meat, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and chunks of corn on the cob.

Empanadas , little pies usually stuffed with beef, vegetables, and cheese, are a favorite dish.

Choripán consists of a sausage made out of beef and pork, hot off the grill, split down the middle, and served on a roll (similar to a hot dog). This can be topped with chorizo, which is a bratwurst or pork sausage.

Menu - Dinner

A favorite main course is parrillada, a mixed grill of steak and other cuts of beef.

Grilled steak is called churrasco , a beef roast cooked over an open fire is called asado , and beef that is dipped in eggs, crumbs, and then fried is called milanesa .

Menu - Other

A favorite drink is a submarino , or warm milk with chocolate bars melted inside.

Argentines sometimes use the expression "she or he is more Argentine than dulce de leche." Dulce de leche is a milk-and-sugar spread used in a manner similar to peanut butter in the United States. It appears on toast, pastries, and various confections.

Chimichurri , a dipping sauce, is usually served with empanadas .

Lab!

Argentina Choripán with Chimichurri Sauce

El Submarino (translates to Submarine Beverage)

LAB PREP!!!

If time…

Prepare pickled red onions for our lab!

http://www.foodbycountry.com/Algeria-to-France/Argentina.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/11/argentinian-food-

cuisine-culture_n_5126806.html http://www.everyculture.com/A-Bo/Argentina.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_in_Argentina_by_po

pulation http://www.enchantedlearning.com/southamerica/argentina/flag/ http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Americas/Argentina-

AGRICULTURE.html https://www.dandc.eu/en/article/cattle-industry-argentina-

changing-rapidly-not-better https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Argentina http://therealargentina.com/en/keep-it-simple-a-real-argentina-

breakfast/