History

      Pre-Columbian Argentina was inhabited by both nomadic and sedentary tribes. Neither was particularly enthusiastic about the Spanish trying to muscle in and take the land, mine for silver, or convert the heathens, so there was considerable resistance to Spanish incursions. Disease decimated many indigenous tribes, however, and Buenos Aires was finally established in 1580. During the next several hundred years, large cattle ranches (called haciendas) were established. Sheep and cattle were introduced to these ranches, and thus we have the emergence of the gaucho, that colorful South American cowboy with sombrero and poncho and bolos. Argentina achieved independence from Spain in 1816.
      And then lots of things happened. Many people grew rich, but most grew poor. Poverty held sway in the shanties while the land barons accumulated power. Fast-forward even more: Juan Peron assumed power after a military coup in 1943. In 1955, Peron and his wife Eva were banished to Spain, although he did a return-engagement in 1973. This second gig was interrupted by death after only one year. Them's the breaks. Eventually, Andrew Lloyd Weber wrote Evita, based on the dictator's dysfunctional wife.
      Then a whole bunch of other things happened, none of them very good. In January of 2002, Eduardo Duhalde became the fifth president in two weeks. That's going Florida one better when it comes to trying to decide who's the head muckety-muck. Economic strife continues in present-day Argentina, as do rumors of political corruption. Fortunately, the peso seems to be doing a bit better on the world market lately.

Culture

      Argentina's culture is saturated with European influences. Italian is widely understood due to a large immigrant population from "the boot." Soccer, of course, is popular, as are the tango, folk music, and ice cream (helado) that is beyond belief. Roman Catholicism is the official state religion, although many customs deviate from official doctrines of the church. (Veneration of the dead is commonplace.) Argentina has produced writers of international stature, such as Jorge Luis Borges and Manuel Puig.

Places to Go, Things to See

      The pampas is the flat, rolling grassland that makes up so much of the nation's agricultural interior. In contrast, the Mar de Plata is the most popular beach, near Buenos Aires on the northern Atlantic coast. Sunny and sultry are the watchwords here. Speaking of water, Iguazu Falls is another great site. These breathtaking falls are east of the Iguazo and Parana rivers. The waters above the falls are ideal for canoeing and kayaking, assuming one doesn't get too close to that breathtaking plunge. The city of Córdoba is worth a visit, as it is Argentina's "second city" and is the home of numerous colonial buildings and architectural treasures, such as The Museo Historico Provincial Merques de Sobremonte. (Many of these buildings have long names that would use up a coffee break if pronounced correctly.) And finally, there is Buenos Aires, reminiscent of Paris with its tree-lined avenues and elegant plazas.