South America
Argentina
vital statistics
- Buenos Aires
- 43 million
- Spanish
- Peso
Saddle up your steed and grab your rebenque (whip), because this is cowboy country and things can get a little wild.
Argentina is home to famed herdsmen known as gauchos. These men are symbols of national pride, equally feared and admired for their patriotism and transient lifestyles. In the late 1800s, their talent for herding cattle morphed into smashing balls with sticks and now Argentina is considered the most advanced polo-playing country in the world – players who are poached by European teams are known as “hired assassins”. Argentina offers many equestrian tours for riders of all skill levels.
But it’s not all about horse whispering; Argentinians also speak the language of lust and never more so than when performing their national dance, the tango. This sultry shimmy is said to improve virility and protect from heart disease, which is just as well, since the locals here consumer more red meat than the residents of any other country. So sink your teeth into a juicy steak then feel the blood rise as you dance the night away.