Argentina: The People

In Latin America, Argentina is easily one of the most urbanized countries. Argentina also proudly boasts that it is the most European of all the Latin American countries as well.

Today the population of Argentina is estimated to be very close to 40 million. Within the country the largest population centers are Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Rosario, Tucuman and Mendoza. In the early part of the 19th century, Argentina encouraged European immigration which eventually lead to the settlement of large numbers of European immigrants moving into Buenos Aires. As they moved in the created many different types of businesses. Over time Buenos Aires not only imported a lot of business but had large exports to other parts of the country and the world.

By about 1915 approximately 55% of the population in Argentina was living in urban areas, and about 30% of the people were recent immigrants. While immigration came from all around Europe, a large percentage came from Italy and Spain. A fair amount of immigrants also came from Britain and Germany as well. Interestingly with this immigration Argentina also came to have the largest Jewish population in Latin America.

Today Argentina also has sizable communities from various Asian nations such as Korea, Japan and China.

Argentina receives immigrants today from the surrounding South American countries such as Bolivia and Paraguay who typically come into the country to work a laborers on farms, ranches and construction projects.

This mix of different peoples from vastly different backgrounds and countries today makes up the rich fabric that is Argentina.

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