5 things you didn't know about Argentina

Argentina is a very famous country, and its culture and influence have reached all over the world. There are plenty of facts that almost everyone knows about Argentina: it is the home of polo, tango, Lionel Messi, the Pope, and more. But we have five facts that we bet you don't already know. Maybe these facts will inspire you to take a trip to the beautiful country for yourself!

1. Argentina's national sport is Pato

Many people assume that Argentina's national sport is football - having won the world cup three times, most recently in 2022 - or polo - as the modern sport originated in the fields of La Pampa. But the actual national sport is Pato. The sport is not very well known globally, but everyone in Argentina has heard of it. Pato is a game played on horseback which shares elements with polo and basketball. It takes its name from the word "duck", and originally used a live duck instead of a the modern six-handled ball! The game has a bloody history, with many people dying by trampling or by fights during games, and was banned many times during the 18th and 19th centuries. However, it was legitimised in the 1930s, and was declared the national sport by President Juan Perón in 1953.

 

2. Argentina's Iguazu Falls is the largest waterfall system in the world

Angel Falls may have the highest waterfall in the world, but the crown for the largest waterfall system goes to Iguazu Falls, on the border of Argentina and Brazil: designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in both countries. These falls are one of the largest tourist attractions in all

of South America, as the views of the waterfalls and surrounding rainforest are unrivalled. To access the falls from the Argentine side, you may take a Rainforest Ecological Train, as well as small boats to get right up to the falls. If you're a nature lover, these waterfalls are the ones to see in the Americas: when Eleanor Roosevelt saw the falls, she said "Poor Niagara!".

3. Ushuaia, Argentina is the southernmost city in the world

More southerly than the cities of New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, Argentina is home to the southernmost city in the world: Ushuaia. Two places in Chile dispute the title, although one, Punta Arenas, is further north, and the other, Puerto Williams, has a population of 3000: hardly large enough to call itself a city (don't tell St David's we said that!). Ushuaia has a population of around 82,000, roughly the size of Bath in the UK, or Cranston, Rhode Island.

It's a beautiful city, set among the snow capped mountains and rugged coastlines of Tierra Del Fuego, of which it is the capital. It is a tourist hub, also being an Antarctic gateway city, and is well worth a visit.

 

4. Argentina has the highest number of Magellanic Penguins

If you live in the UK, you have probably seen a Magellanic penguin. due to their small size and ability to survive in warmer temperatures, they are often kept in zoos and wildlife parks across the country. However, you may not have seen one in their natural habitat, and for most Magellanic penguins, that's Argentina. Almost two million penguins live around the southern coast of Argentina, more than anywhere else in the world. They, among other sea life, are one of the main draws for visitors to southern Argentina, including places like Ushuaia. Maybe you will see one if you go down there!

5. Argentina is home to Laguna del Carbón, one of the most pristine lakes in the world

If you've read this far, through the facts about the waterfalls and penguins, you probably are a nature lover. If so, you will love the Laguna del Carbón. Located at 105m below sea level (the lowest point in Argentina), this salt lake is one of the cleanest and most beautiful lakes in the world. It is also where several dinosaurs have been found, so the area is steeped in history. You could be part of the history by taking a dip!

 

We hope these facts have interested and inspired you.

 

For a bonus fact: South America is the birthplace of pampeano, the premium leather accessory brand whose website you're on right now. Explore our broad range of genuine Argentine leather goods, from our iconic polo inspired pampeano belts to our beloved travel bags that could accompany you on your very own trip to South America.