Argentina has a population of around 46 million, concentrated heavily in and around Buenos Aires, which is home to roughly a third of the country. The rest of the population is spread across a handful of large cities — Córdoba, Rosario, Mendoza, Tucumán — and vast, sparsely inhabited rural areas.
Argentina is one of the most European-descended countries in Latin America. Mass immigration from Spain and Italy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries shaped the ethnic and cultural character of the country profoundly. There are also significant communities of German, Welsh (notably in Patagonia), Eastern European, Jewish, Arab, and East Asian descent. Indigenous peoples — Quechua, Mapuche, Guaraní, and others — make up a smaller percentage of the population, more visible in the northwest and Patagonia.
Argentines are famously talkative, opinionated, and passionate about food, football, and politics. Mealtimes are late — lunch around 1–2pm, dinner rarely before 9pm and often closer to 10 or 11pm. Greeting someone you know with a kiss on the cheek is standard, regardless of gender.
Spanish is spoken across the country, but the Argentine accent and the use of vos instead of tú take some getting used to. Porteños (people from Buenos Aires) have a particular lilt influenced by Italian immigration. In the Welsh-settled Chubut valley, Welsh is still spoken in some communities.
Catholicism is the dominant religion, though practiced with varying degrees of observance. Argentina has a sizeable Jewish community, one of the largest in Latin America. Pope Francis — born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires — is a source of considerable national pride.
The asado (barbecue) is not just a meal but a social ritual, often lasting several hours on a Sunday. The mate gourd is a constant companion — sharing mate is a gesture of friendship and hospitality.