Days 40 & 41 – At Sea

Argentina

Argentina is the 2nd largest country in South America and the 8th largest in the world with a land area of 1.074 million square miles and a population of 47 million. The country was colonised in the 16th century following the arrival of Amerigo Vespucci.

The country’s highest point is the Aconcagua in the Andes, at 22,831 feet, and the country’s pampa region is one of the most fertile on earth, which has unfortunately lead to mass destruction of natural habitats for the purposes of farming. Argentina is one of the world’s largest producers of soybeans, maize, sunflower seeds, lemons and pears. It is among the top ten wine producing countries of the world and is the fourth largest producer of beef.

The tango dance, which started in the poor areas of Buenos Aires, is one of Argentina’s most famous cultural phenomena and is recognised worldwide.

The Perons, the Military Junta and The Dirty War

Juan Peron, a former military colonel, became president in 1946. His socialist party nationalised industries, improved wages, paid off the national debt and claimed to have achieved full employment. He also implemented a social welfare system to help the poor. By the 1950s however the economy was struggling due to the government’s overspending and, in the face of growing criticism, Peron implemented a campaign of political suppression against anyone suspected of posing a political threat or criticism of the government.

In 1952 Peron’s wife Eva Peron (Evita) died of cancer at the age of 33, the economy was in free-fall and Peron fled into exile in Spain. He returned to Argentina in 1973 and was again elected president, although his third term was fraught with political unrest and conflict between left and right. He died of a heart attack in July 1974 and his new wife Isabel Peron succeeded him as president until she was ousted by the military in 1976.

There followed a dark period in Argentina’s history. State sponsored terrorism was waged against the people (known as The Dirty War), and anyone regarded as left wing or harbouring socialist ideals was arrested and often never seen again. During this time an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 people simply disappeared. The military junta lasted until 1983 when, after the disastrous Falklands War, which led to widespread riots, the military stood down and the transition back to democracy began.

To this day the surviving mothers of the disappeared gather every Thursday in Plaza de Mayo, wearing white headscarves, to remind the government that they still don’t know what happened to their children. They are known as The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo.

Pope Francis

The current Pope, Francis, is Argentinian. He formerly worked as a nightclub bouncer before training as a chemist and finally being ordained as a jesuit priest in 1969.

Pope Francis is known for his humility, his concern for the poor, his tolerance of homosexuality and the promotion of women in the priesthood, as well as being a vocal critic of unbridled capitalism, consumerism and capital punishment. He has also called for decisive action against climate change.

Fun Facts

Avenida 9 de Julio in Buenos Aires is the widest avenue in the world at 110 m wide and with 16 lanes of traffic.

The longest road in the world stretches from Alaska to Ushuaia in Patagonia (30,000 miles) and the longest segment is in Argentina.

The city of Ushuaia is the world’s most southerly city.

Surprisingly, the national sport is not football but Pato, a game played on horseback and not dissimilar to polo. Football however is by far the most popular sport and there is actually a religion named the Church of Maradona!! Its Ten Commandments are listed here: 😆