Argentina General information about ArgentinaBrief History since Her beginnings• Society and Government• Important socio-historical figures• Economic conditions

Government and territorial systemNatural and urban landscape of the provinces Some Argentine traditions Recap and discussion

Some aspects of Argentine SpanishWe use “vos” as our second singular person

(instead of tú); it has specific conjugations y accents:Examples: simple presentSer (be): vos sos Tener (have): vos tenésHablar (talk): vos hablás Salir (leave): vos salís

Preterite: use of the conjugación for“tú”Ser: vos fuiste Tener: vos tuviste

Imperative: venir: (vos) vení; salir: (vos) salí;hacer: (vos) hacé, escribir: (vos) escribí; etc. Pronunciation of “y” y “ll” followed by a

vowel→ “sh”: Example: yo me llamo, ayuda, ellas se callan.

The Argentine Republic in the world

Location: the southernmost part of South America, top 8º biggest country in the world

Denomination and National symbol

Name origin: Latin “argentum” National Flag

Argentina in prehistory

There are traces that show that attest to the richness of the pre-historical period.

Pre-Columbian Argentina

The territory was inhabited by numerous tribes who are now called the Native Peoples: the mapuches, diaguitas, tehuelches, guaranies, tobas, among others. The Natives from the north built in elevated places called pucarás.

The Spanish Conquest

From the first explorations around 1502; first fort: 1527; foundation of the first town: 1536

The conquerors and the natives

The Jesuitical missions by the Franciscans, Dominicans y Mercedarians. They preached the Gospel to the natives

Trivia What is a Pucará for the ancient

natives of Argentina?

1. A tribe

2. A national symbol

3. An elevated construction

4. A activity for subsistence

What did the Jesuits do in the Argentine period of conquest?

1. They killed the natives

2. They preached to the natives

3. They made them build churches

4. They fed the natives

The conformation of a new identity : the gaucho

Inhabitants of the Pampas (great plains) and other rural areas, they are a symbol of life before the May Revolution.

The importance of the gaucho

Awareness of the need of autonomy and fight for independence; development of a livestock economy; birth of a new national culture.

25th of May,1810: conformation of the first national government

The first Argentine Governing Board was created as a response to the unstable situation of Spain during the Napoleonic Wars so that marked the beginning of the fight for independence.

Declaration of Independence

On July 9,1816 the Declaration of Independence was signed in Tucuman

The Conquest of the desert

The “problems with the natives” resulted in extreme military measures during 1800’s.

2º Trivia What is the most important role of the

gauchos in Argentina?

1. They were good agriculturists.

2. They fought against the natives.

3. They lived in the Pampas

4. They participated in the fight for

Independence

How did Argentine presidents deal with the natives in the 1800’s?

1. Violent military campaigns

2. They bought their lands

3. They lived in peace with them

4. They put them in reservations

Presidency of Juan Domingo Perón

Importance: labor policy and domestic development; birth of welfare state

Evita

Eva Duarte de Perón is one of the most popular and influential Argentine women

Evita’s work

As the First Lady, she had a very important role in social policy, vote for women, and work of charity

Government system

Branches: executive, legislative and judicial

Political and territorial organization

23 provinces and a Federal Capital, Buenos Aires

3º Trivia Which of the following items is

NOT related to Evita’s?

1. Women’s vote

2. Movie Actress

3. Charity work

4. Tango singer

How many provinces are there in Argentina?

1. There are 3

2. 23 provinces and a Federal Capital

3. There are 22 provinces

4. There are no provinces

The Argentine provinces

Because of the great territorial extension, the landscape, weather, and population differ a lot. The territory is divided into many geographic areas.

The north of the country is a mountainous area.

The province of Jujuy is in the northwest; there are mountains, valleys, and hills. The capital city is San Salvador de Jujuy.

In the northeast we have the “Chaco” and the jungle.

In the province of Misiones, we have the Iguazú Falls, one of the biggest in the world. Tropical weather.

In the east, we have the Argentine Litoral.

It’ s a region of rivers, palm trees, and good weather.

In the center we have the great Pampas.

Land of livestock, agriculture, and a lot of production. The weather is propitious and usually windy.

The west is the home of the Andes

In the region called Cuyo, wine is produced and there’s a lot of tourism. The tallest mountain in America, the Aconcagua, is there. The four seasons are very distinctive.

Patagonia is in the south.

The landscape is beautiful. It’s colder and the winters are tougher. There are many ski resorts. There are many glaciers and lakes.

Furthest south is Ushuaia

It’s the southernmost city in the world. It’s also the land of the penguins

The Atlantic coast

Great for the summer. Mar del Plata is very popular.

Urban zones

Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Bariloche are centers of bigger population.

4º Trivia What are the main economic

activities in the Pampas?

1. Tourism

2. Fishing and navigation

3. Agriculture and livestock

4. Metallurgic and oil industry

What is the southernmost city in the world?

1. Ushuaia

2. Córdoba

3. Bariloche

4. Buenos Aires

Argentines

Soccer is the most popular sport. People go to the games and celebrate. The biggest soccer teams rivals are Boca and River.

Other popular sports

Basketball, rugby, tennis, and hockey are becoming very popular too.

Diversion: nighclubs, tango and chacarera

Argentinians are very sociable and love to have fun.

Argentine food

Argentinians like beef. It’s very good. We usually get together to eat asado.

Another “passtime”: the Mate

The Mate is a hot drink that can be drunk at any time of the day.

Mate is for sharing with family and friends

The mate is a good occasion for talking and also study.

Some famous Argentine figures

Jorge Luis Borges, el “Che” Guevara, Diego Maradona.

5º Trivia What are the most popular sports

in Argentina?

1. Soccer, baseball and tennis

2. Rugby, soccer and lacrosse

3. Soccer, basketball and rugby

4. Polo, soccer, and tennis

Which of these items doesn’t belong to Argentina?

1. Go to the nightclubs to dance tango and

chacarera

2. Go the beach and drink coco juice.

3. Get together and drink mate

4. Eat asado for a special occasion.

Thank you!from Victor Zabala

Small talk