History UsefulNotes / Argentina

* UsefulNotes/TheFalklandsWar

** Chief of the Cabinet of Ministers: Agustín Rossi
** President of the Chamber of Deputies: Cecelia Moreau

* '''Area:''' 2,780,400 km
(1,073,500 sq mi) (8th)

** President: Javier Milei

** President: Alberto Fernández; Javier Milei assumes office on December 10, 2023
** Vice President: Cristina Fernández de Kirchner; Victoria Villaruel assumes office on December 10, 2023

In the late 19th century, there was a huge immigration wave of Europeans, a kind only rivaled by the UsefulNotes/UnitedStates. Over 6 million Europeans immigrated during the period, easily doubling the population. Coupled with the fact that there were not many natives in the area to begin with, Argentina's population are distinctly "whiter" compared to most of its [[UsefulNotes/LatinAmerica Latin American]] peers (only UsefulNotes/{{Uruguay}}, which has a nonexistent native population, is whiter). The immigration brought a lot of wealth to the area, and by the early 20th century, Argentina was a rising power, with a powerful military, a strong economy that dwarfed the likes of UsefulNotes/{{France}} and UsefulNotes/{{Germany}}, and a high standard of living which was rivaling that of any European nation.

Acting wise, the country has produced Guillermo Francella, Adrian Suar, Norma Aleandro, Rodolfo Ranni, Leticia Bredicce, the late Alberto Olmedo, Jorge Porcel, Emilio Disi and Ricardo Darín. Comedy groups like Music/LesLuthiers, [[LongRunners with more than 40 years on stage]], have made a name of themselves in all Spanish-speaking countries, even winning awards in {{UsefulNotes/Spain}}. In the last decades however, the media has been crowded with quarrel-loving scantly-clad vedettes, actresses and fashion models, with TV shows like those of host Marcelo Tinelli's VideoMatch and Bailando Por Un Sueño making an industry out of this. It is worth noting that MoralGuardians are really weak and almost absent in Argentina, for they are associated with the right-wing that supported the military dictatorship. The Argentine audience has evolved into being very laid back about sexual themes (a trait shared with, and maybe due to proximity influence from, Brazil). Nowadays everybody is fine if an actress pole-dances in a thong on TV, usually achieving the highest ratings as a result...

** President of the Chamber of Deputies: Cecelia Moreu

** President: Alberto Fernández
** Vice President: Cristina Fernández de Kirchner
** Chief of the Cabinet of Ministers: Santiago Cafiero
** President of the Chamber of Deputies: Sergio Massa
** President of Supreme Court: Carlos Rosenkrantz

Ah, ''la hermosa Argentina''... home of ''la calle más larga'' [[note]]the longest street (Rivadavia Ave.)[[/note]] and ''[[Music/BersuitVergarabat la calle más ancha]]'' [[note]]the widest street (9 de Julio Ave.)[[/note]]... home of ''[[Music/BersuitVergarabat el río más ancho]]'' [[note]]the widest river (River Plate)[[/note]] and ''[[Music/BersuitVergarabat las minas más lindas del mundo]]''[[note]][[{{Narcissist}} the world's most beautiful chicks...]][[/note]]

Argentina is not the only place where [[ThoseWackyNazis Nazi leaders]] escaped to after WWII, and it's far more exaggerated in the media than what it actually occurred. Also, Villa Gesell has no mountains, despite how ''Film/XMenFirstClass'' might have depicted it. It's a seaside city in the east of Buenos Aires, while the big mountains are located in the west of the country, in the Andes range.

Acting wise, the country has produced Guillermo Francella, Adrian Suar, Norma Aleandro, Rodolfo Ranni, Leticia Bredicce, the late Alberto Olmedo, Jorge Porcel, Emilio Disi and Ricardo Darín. Comedy groups like Music/LesLuthiers, [[LongRunners with more than 40 years on stage]], have made a name of themselves in all Spanish-speaking countries, even winning awards in Spain. In the last decades however, the media has been crowded with quarrel-loving scantly-clad vedettes, actresses and fashion models, with TV shows like those of host Marcelo Tinelli's VideoMatch and Bailando Por Un Sueño making an industry out of this. It is worth noting that MoralGuardians are really weak and almost absent in Argentina, for they are relationed with the right-wing that supported the military dictatorship, and so Argentine audience evolved to be very laid back about sexual themes (a trait shared with, and maybe due to proximity influence from, Brazil). Nowadays everybody is fine if an actress pole-dances in a thong on TV, usually achieving the highest ratings as a result...

Completing the music scene in Argentina, ''cuarteto'' and ''cumbia'' are two major players in the provinces of Córdoba and Santa Fe respectively. The later also gave birth to a local style named ''cumbia villera''[[note]]ghetto's cumbia... sort of[[/note]] in the poor neighborhoods named ''villas miseria'' (like the brazilian favelas, only on a much smaller scale) where they started to sing about what was happening in their crapsack world of the Argentina that would eventually lead to the 2001 crisis, it all started in 1999 with the band Flor de Piedra's song "Sos botón". Ever since, the ''cumbia villera'' lyrics constantly shocked the ''lower-class disdaining'' Argentine society. Of course, among the lower class, ''cumbia villera'' is defended as a way of expression.

After the loss of the war and the falling of the military dictatorship, Argentine rock moved on and influenced itself with the NewWaveMusic and synthpop that was raging in the US and UK, and took a twist to a more laid back and dancing style that consequently conquered all Latin America. While with the advent in the '90s of the ''rock barrial''[[note]]'hood rock[[/note]] and ''rock rolinga''[[note]]Rolling Stone style rock, which is funny because it is an entire subculture named "rolingas" worshipping the Stones, all dressing and haircutting like them, with ridiculous results... though the girls are seriously hot as hell.[[/note]]

After finding its first big sales in the form of Los Gatos' La Balsa, Argentine rock took an evolution to more psychedelic, experimental and progressive styles, and a more aggresive, protest-song style in their lyrics, eventually gaining the antipathy of the military dictatorship and leading to a bitter feud that brought Argentine Rock to agony. It was however the Guerra de Malvinas that was used by the militars to boost national pride and so prohibited broadcast of songs in English language and instead promoted their old enemies, the ''pelilargos y melenudos''[[note]]long-haired and mane bearing[[/note]], effectively revitalizing Argentine rock. After the loss of the war and the falling of the military dictatorship, Argentine rock moved on and influenced itself with the new wave and synthpop that was raging in the US and UK, and took a twist to a more laid back and dancing style that consequently conquered all Latin America. While with the advent in the '90s of the ''rock barrial''[[note]]'hood rock[[/note]] and ''rock rolinga''[[note]]Rolling Stone style rock, which is funny because it is an entire subculture named "rolingas" worshipping the Stones, all dressing and haircutting like them, with ridiculous results... though the girls are seriously hot as hell.[[/note]]

{{Classical music}} in Argentina is also eminent, with Daniel Baremboim even creating an orchestra with Israeli and Palestinian people, for the sake of peace. As well, in the 1960s and 1970s, tango innovator Astor Piazzola created a new style called "Tango Nuevo" which blended Classical music (bowed string orchestra), traditional tango, and {{jazz}} improvisation.

But if we are talking about Argentina's music, its most telling is ''ROCK NACIONAL''![[note]]national rock, in the sense of "from Argentina" country-wise speaking, not politically... not that Argentine rock doesn't sing about politics, it even defied the last military dictatorship's yoke, but we will get on that later.[[/note]] With a history spanning decades, Argentine rock (or ''rock nacional'', as it is called inside the country) was one of the first not being sung in English language, a complete novelty at that moment with uncertain results, and it became the first non English language form of rock to be comercially sucessful, having revolutionized the hell of Latin America countries music with the Argentine invasion in the '80s.

Argentine folk music is diverse: music from the northwestern provinces usually are ''carnavalitos'' or other music styles like those also found in Bolivia and Peru, and are played with traditional instruments like ''bombos'', flutes and ''charangos''. Meanwhile those in north-eastern provinces have styles like ''chamamé'' shared with Paraguay, usually played with violins, guitars and harps. Folk styles in the Patagonian and western provinces usually are shared with Chile; and many styles from the ''llanura pampeana'' associated with the Gauchos like ''milonga'' and ''chacarera'' have relatives in Uruguay.

Argentina's Great Writer is generally agreed to be Creator/JorgeLuisBorges, one of the best and most influential practitioners of the MindScrew. Most of Argentina's ''other'' great writers were also good friends of his, such as Adolfo Bioy Casares, Ernesto Sabato (some of his conversations with Borges were put together and published in 1976), and Silvina Ocampo. Although not a friend of his, Creator/JulioCortazar, author of the postmodern novel ''Literature/{{Hopscotch}}'', has said that Borges was a source of inspiration for his stories, most of which were brimming with MagicRealism. In regards to ComicBooks, Creator/{{Quino}}'s ''ComicStrip/{{Mafalda}}'' and Oesterheld's ''ComicBook/ElEternauta'' are easily the most influential to come out of the country.

Argentina's Great Writer is generally agreed to be Creator/JorgeLuisBorges, one of the best and most influential practitioners of the MindScrew. Most of Argentina's ''other'' great writers were also good friends of his, such as Adolfo Bioy Casares, Ernesto Sabato (some of his conversations with Borges were put together and published in 1976), and Silvina Ocampo. Although not a friend of his, Creator/JulioCortazar, author of the postmodern novel ''Literature/{{Hopscotch}}'', has said that Borges was a source of inspiration for his stories, most of which brimming with MagicRealism. In regards to ComicBooks, Quino's ''ComicStrip/{{Mafalda}}'' and Oesterheld's ''ComicBook/ElEternauta'' are easily the most influential to come out of the country.

In the late 19th century, there was a huge immigration wave of Europeans, a kind only rivaled by the UsefulNotes/UnitedStates. Over 6 million Europeans immigrated during the period, easily doubling the population. Coupled with the fact that there were not many natives in the area to begin with, Argentina's population are distinctly "whiter" compared to most of its [[UsefulNotes/LatinAmerica Latin American]] peers (only UsefulNotes/{{Uruguay}}, which has a nonexistent native population, is whiter). The immigration brought a lot of wealth to the area, and by the early 20th century, Argentina was a rising power, with a powerful military, a strong economy that dwarfed the likes of UsefulNotes/{{France}} and UsefulNotes/{{Germany}}, and a high standard of living rivaling that of any European nation. However, several factors undermined Argentina's growth and resulted in the country entering a massive decline. This included several {{military coup}}s, a couple of populist/nationalist leaders, and a reckless management of the economy that caused frequent economic crises and hyperinflation. Nowadays, although the country is not exactly ''poor'', it has really fallen hard from being a superpower candidate, and is not even considered the richest country in Latin America anymore. Simon Kuznets, who won the 1971 Nobel Prize in Economics, said: "There are four kinds of countries in the world: developed countries, undeveloped countries, [rags to riches] [[RagsToRiches Japan]] and [riches to rags] [[RichesToRags Argentina]]."

In the late 19th century, there was a huge immigration wave of Europeans, a kind only rivaled by the UsefulNotes/UnitedStates. Over 6 million Europeans immigrated during the period, easily doubling the population, and coupled with the fact that there were not many natives in the area to begin with, meant that Argentina's population are distinctly "whiter" compared to most of its Latin American peers (only UsefulNotes/{{Uruguay}}, which has a nonexistent native population, is whiter). The immigration brought a lot of wealth to the area, and by the early 20th century, Argentina was a rising power, with a powerful military, a strong economy that dwarfed the likes of UsefulNotes/{{France}} and UsefulNotes/{{Germany}}, and a high standard of living rivaling that of any European nation. However, several factors undermined Argentina's growth and resulted in the country entering a massive decline. This included several {{military coup}}s, a couple of populist/nationalist leaders, and a reckless management of the economy that caused frequent economic crises and hyperinflation. Nowadays, although the country is not exactly ''poor'', it has really fallen hard from being a superpower candidate, and is not even considered the richest country in Latin America anymore. Simon Kuznets, who won the 1971 Nobel Prize in Economics, said: "There are four kinds of countries in the world: developed countries, undeveloped countries, [rags to riches] [[RagsToRiches Japan]] and [riches to rags] [[RichesToRags Argentina]]."

In the late 19th century, there was a huge immigration wave of Europeans, a kind only rivaled by the United States. Over 6 million Europeans immigrated during the period, easily doubling the population, and coupled with the fact that there were not many natives in the area to begin with, meant that Argentina's population are distinctly "whiter" compared to most of its Latin American peers (only UsefulNotes/{{Uruguay}}, which has a nonexistent native population, is whiter). The immigration brought a lot of wealth to the area, and by the early 20th century, Argentina was a rising power, with a powerful military, a strong economy that dwarfed the likes of UsefulNotes/{{France}} and UsefulNotes/{{Germany}}, and a high standard of living rivaling that of any European nation. However, several factors undermined Argentina's growth and resulted in the country entering a massive decline. This included several {{military coup}}s, a couple of populist/nationalist leaders, and a reckless management of the economy that caused frequent economic crises and hyperinflation. Nowadays, although the country is not exactly ''poor'', it has really fallen hard from being a superpower candidate, and is not even considered the richest country in Latin America anymore. Simon Kuznets, who won the 1971 Nobel Prize in Economics, said: "There are four kinds of countries in the world: developed countries, undeveloped countries, [rags to riches] [[RagsToRiches Japan]] and [riches to rags] [[RichesToRags Argentina]]."

Argentina was scarcely populated during the [[UsefulNotes/PreColumbianCivilizations pre-Columbian era]], with just nomadic tribes. The Spanish empire sent several colonization waves that established many cities. The Portuguese empire was forced by the Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) to stay at the east of UsefulNotes/SouthAmerica; the land of modern Uruguay was near the limits and became a frequent cause of conflict between both. The country declared its independence during the UsefulNotes/SpanishAmericanWarsOfIndependence, but then fell into a [[{{UsefulNotes/ArgentineCivilWar}} civil war]] about the way to organize the country that only ended after 60 years.

Argentina was scarcely populated during the pre-Columbian times, with just nomadic tribes. The Spanish empire sent several colonization waves that established many cities. The Portuguese empire was forced by the Treaty of Tordesillas to stay at the east of South America; the land of modern Uruguay was near the limits and became a frequent cause of conflict between both. The country declared its independence during the UsefulNotes/SpanishAmericanWarsOfIndependence, but then fell into a [[{{UsefulNotes/ArgentineCivilWar}} civil war]] about the way to organize the country that only ended after 60 years.

Argentina has beautiful natural sights, such as the forests and lakes lying along the Andes mountain range, and also important places for scientific research, like Valle de la Luna, an area which due to geological quirks over million years has soils from different historical times placed in rows. In paleontology, there are two top research places: China and Argentina.

Argentina's biomes range from deserts to mountains, forests, jungles and glaciers (as exemplified by National Parks like "Nahuel Huapi", "Los Glaciares", "Iguazú" and "Perito Moreno" among several others). Argentina has the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere, Aconcagua at 6959 m[[note]]sorta like 22387 ft[[/note]]. At the same time, Argentina is also home to the Western Hemisphere's lowest depression, Laguna del Carbón at 105 m below sea level.[[note]]344 ft below sea level[[/note]] Its northern boundaries have the hot tropical weather of {{UsefulNotes/Bolivia}} and {{UsefulNotes/Brazil}}, giving (in the jungles to the east) nest to fauna like monkeys, tapirs and jaguars; while in the west the desert-like mountains are the habitat of pumas, llamas and condors. Meanwhile, in its southern lands (more than 5000 km south) the ice-cold temperature that anticipates Antarctica is the habitat (in the western mountains) of foxes, deer and maras; while in the Atlantic coast there are penguins, whales and sea lions.

Argentina's biomes range from deserts to mountains, forests, jungles and glaciers (as exemplified by National Parks like "Nahuel Huapi", "Los Glaciares", "Iguazú" and "Perito Moreno" among several others). Argentina has the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere, Aconcagua at 6959 m[[note]]sorta like 22387 ft[[/note]]. At the same time, Argentina is also home to the Western Hemisphere's lowest depression, Laguna del Carbón at 105 m below sea level.[[note]]344 ft below sea level[[/note]] Its northern boundaries have the hot tropical weather of Bolivia and Brazil, giving (in the jungles to the east) nest to fauna like monkeys, tapirs and jaguars; while in the west the desert-like mountains are the habitat of pumas, llamas and condors. Meanwhile, in its southern lands (more than 5000 km south) the ice-cold temperature that anticipates Antarctica is the habitat (in the western mountains) of foxes, deer and maras; while in the Atlantic coast there are penguins, whales and sea lions.

One of the world's southernmost countries, Argentina is a diverse country, geographically and culturally speaking. Officially the '''Argentine Republic''' (Spanish: ''República Argentina''), it has a wide range of ecosystems and biomes. Argentina had significant European colonization which brought wealth to the country, and by the early [[The20thCentury 20th century]], it was a rising power. However, over the 20th century, {{military coup}}s and economic crises led to challenges. Argentina is known for its sultry, passionate {{tango}} music and dance, the horse-riding rural {{Gaucho}} people and folksingers in ThePampas (a bit like {{Cowboy}}s), and authors such as Creator/JorgeLuisBorges and Julio Cortazar.

One of the world's southernmost countries, Argentina is a diverse country, geographically and culturally speaking. Officially the '''Argentine Republic''' (Spanish: ''República Argentina''), it has a wide range of ecosystems and biomes. Argentina had significant European colonization which brought wealth to the country, and by the early [[The20thCentury 20th century]], it was a rising power. However, over the 20th century, {{military coup}}s and economic crises led to challenges. Argentina is known for its sultry, passionate {{tango}} music and dance, the horse-riding rural {{Gaucho}} people and folksingers in ThePampas (a bit like {{Cowboy}}s), and authors such as Borges and Julio Cortazar.

One of the world's southernmost countries, Argentina is a diverse country, geographically and culturally speaking. Officially the '''Argentine Republic''' (Spanish: ''República Argentina''), it has a wide range of ecosystems and biomes. Argentina had significant European colonization which brought wealth to the country, and by the early [[The20thCentury 20th century]], it was a rising power. However, over the 20th century, {{military coup}}s and economic crises led to challenges. Argentina is known for its sultry, passionate {{tango}} music and dance, the horse-riding rural {{Gaucho}} people and folksingers in the ThePampas (a bit like {{Cowboy}}s), and authors such as Borges and Julio Cortazar.

One of the world's southernmost countries, Argentina is a diverse country, geographically and culturally speaking. Officially the '''Argentine Republic''' (Spanish: ''República Argentina''), it has a wide range of ecosystems and biomes. Argentina had significant European colonization which brought wealth to the country, and by the early 20th century, it was a rising power. However, over the 20th century, {{military coup}}s and economic crises led to challenges. Argentina is known for its sultry, passionate {{tango}} music and dance, the horse-riding rural {{Gaucho}} people and folksingers in the ThePampas (a bit like {{Cowboy}}s), and authors such as Borges and Julio Cortazar.

Ah, ''la hermosa Argentina''... home of ''la calle más larga'' [[note]]the longest street (Rivadavia Ave.)[[/note]] and ''la calle más ancha'' [[note]]the widest street (9 de Julio Ave.)[[/note]]... home of ''el río más ancho'' [[note]]the widest river (River Plate)[[/note]] and ''las minas más lindas del mundo''[[note]][[{{Narcissist}} the world's most beautiful chicks...]][[/note]]

One of the world's southernmost countries, Argentina is a diverse country, geographically and culturally speaking. Officially the '''Argentine Republic''' ('''Spanish:''' ''República Argentina''), it has a wide range of ecosystems and biomes. Argentina had significant European colonization which brought wealth to the country, and by the early 20th century, it was a rising power. However, over the 20th century, {{military coup}}s and economic crises led to challenges. Argentina is known for its sultry, passionate {{tango}} music and dance, the horse-riding rural {{Gaucho}} people and folksingers in the ThePampas (a bit like {{Cowboy}}s), and authors such as Borges and Julio Cortazar.