The name is derived from the Latin argentum (silver). The first use of the name Argentina can be traced to the voyages of the Spanish conquerors to the Río de la Plata. The explorers who shipwrecked in Juan Díaz de Solís' expedition found native communities in the region who gave them silver presents.
What was Argentina called before it was called Argentina?
Although "Argentina" was already in common usage by the 18th century, the country was formally named "Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata" by the Spanish Empire, and "United Provinces of the Río de la Plata" after independence.
When did Argentina get named?
The first mention of the name Argentina appeared in a poem in Spain in 1602, and subsequently in 1776, the area which would now comprise of Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia and Uruguay was officially named the Virreinato del Río de la Plata, or the Viceroyalty of the Rio de la Plata.
How did Argentina become Argentina?
With the declaration of independence on 9 July 1816, and the military defeat of the Spanish Empire in 1824, a federal state was formed in 1853–1861, known today as the Argentine Republic.
Was Argentina a French colony?
Background: Spain colonized Argentina in the 16th century; it declared its independence in 1816 and emerged as a democratic republic in the mid 19th century, but has since then periodically fallen under military rule.
Who originally owned Argentina?
United States Recognition of Buenos Ayres, 1823. The United States recognized the Government of Buenos Ayres (predecessor of Argentina) on January 27, 1823, when Caesar Rodney was appointed as American Minister Plenipotentiary to that government. Buenos Ayres had declared independence from Spain on July 9, 1816.
Was Argentina Spanish or Portuguese?
While Argentina's official language is Spanish, Argentina has enjoyed so much international migration that Arabic, Italian, German, English, and French are also spoken—at least in pockets throughout the country. There are also over one million speakers of various tribal languages, including Quecha and Guaraní.
Why is Brazil called Brazil?
In 1627, Friar Vicente de Salvador, who was one of the first to reflect upon the subject, regretted that the land, which had originally been named after the "divine wood of the cross", "Santa Cruz", had its name later replaced by "Brasil, just because of a wood thus called, a wood of a brazen red hue used to dye fabric ...
Is Argentina a first world?
According to the definition from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Argentina is a developing country because of its lower economic performance.
Who lived in Argentina before the Spanish?
Along with numerous nomadic tribespeople, two main indigenous groups existed in Argentina before the European arrival. In the northwest, near Bolivia and the Andes, was a people known as the Diaguita, while further south and to the east were the Guarani.
Was Argentina ever called Argentina?
Then on October 8, 1860, President Santiago Derqui decreed the official name to be República Argentina. In common speech, the country is referred to as "la Argentina" (the Argentine) in Spanish, bypassing the noun in any of the above expressions ("the Argentine [land]", "the Argentine [Republic]", etc.).
What was Argentina before 1816?
The territory of modern Argentina was part of the Spanish Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata, with its capital city in Buenos Aires, seat of government of the Spanish viceroy.
Who was in Argentina before Spain?
Along with numerous nomadic tribespeople, two main indigenous groups existed in Argentina before the European arrival. In the northwest, near Bolivia and the Andes, was a people known as the Diaguita, while further south and to the east were the Guarani.
Why are there so many French in Argentina?
Until the 1880s, the great majority of French immigrants to Argentina were from the Pyrenees. Basques started settling in Argentina in the 1830s, then they began heading towards Chile and the United States in the 1870s. Today it is estimated that up to 17% of Argentines have partial French ancestry.
Which European country first settled in Argentina?
1516: Spanish explorer, Juan Diaz de Solis became first European to reach Argentina discovering Rio de Plata. 1536: Spaniards founded a short-lived settlement on the bay.
Why did Argentina leave Spain?
Answer and Explanation: Argentina, like other South American colonies, desired independence from Spain due to the economic exploitation that Spain had engaged in for centuries.
Why is Argentinian Spanish so different?
You may wonder why Spanish in Argentina developed a different intonation. The main reason for this lies in the country's history of immigration. Between 1870 to 1960, approximately two million Italians immigrated to Argentina, undoubtedly influencing and altering the accent of Spanish in Argentina.
Are Argentinians from Italian descent?
Italian is the largest single ethnic origin of modern Argentines, surpassing even the descendants of Spanish immigrants.
Why do Argentines sound Italian?
It sounds a whole lot like Italian to the untrained ear, and that's because it comes from Italian. Since the 1800s, there have been quite a few waves of immigrants from Italy who ended up settling in Buenos Aires. Their Italian accents rubbed off on the locals, and thus the intonation that you can still hear today.
Why did Portugal own Brazil?
Lisbon's early goals were simple: monopolize the lucrative trade of pau-brasil, the red wood (valued for making dye) that gave the colony its name, and establish permanent settlements. There's evidence that the Indians and Portuguese initially worked together to harvest trees.
Why do Brazilians speak Portuguese?
Portuguese immigration to America is the reason behind the existence of Portuguese in Brazil. In the 16th century, the first Portuguese-speaking settlers arrived in Brazil. At that time, the Portuguese language was not commonly used. In the 18th century, Portuguese became the official language of Brazil.
What is Argentina famous for?
Argentina is known for its passion for soccer, Mate culture, and love for Tango. With stunning natural landscapes in Patagonia to vibrant city life in Buenos Aires, the country offers a unique experience for travelers. Argentina is also famous for its quality wine, delicious food, and world-renowned landmarks.
What is a native of Argentina called?
There are three uses for the words Argentinian, Argentinean and Argentine: Demonym – a type of noun to describe someone from Argentina. An Argentine, an Argentinian, an Argentinean. This is the demonym or gentilic.
What is the oldest city in Argentina?
Santiago del Estero, city, capital of Santiago del Estero provincia (province), northwestern Argentina, and the oldest continuous settlement in the country.
What does Argentina mean in English?
From Spanish, from Italian: literally “made of silver, silver colored” (equivalent to argento “silver” + -ino adjective suffix), shortening of Terra Argentina “Land of Silver,” or Costa Argentina “Coast of Silver”; ultimately a derivative of Latin argentum “silver”; see also -ine1.
Was Argentina Colonized by Italy?
Argentina may have been colonized by the Spanish originally, but it is fair to say that the Italians had an equal, if not even greater influence, over many areas of Argentine life, such as politics, food, fashion and language.
