Chapitre 15:
We wanted to do a lot more in Argentina but this country is huge and you need at least 6 weeks or more to enjoy and see different parts. We didn’t have enough time so we had to focus on one part, the one that attracted to me for a long time: Patagonia.
In the deep south of Argentina where are located unique glaciers and mountain treks. We stayed 2 weeks to do El Chalten, El Calafate, Puerto Natale, Ushuaia. After that we went up to Buenos Aires and the Iguazu falls at the brazilian frontiers.
As every country in Latin America, Argentina is different than its neighbors. But within the country, Buenos Aires is a different atmosphere than the rest of the cities. This mentality comes from their pride. They are also fun, fiery and opinionated. In terms of architecture, BA is a mix of Europe and copied a lot of french Haussman’s architecture in the 17th century.
Politic:
Cristina Kirchner is the President. She has addressed the abuses of military dictatorship, support the blue-collar classes, fights against poverty and too generous social programs but she’s also accused to censor the media and rule by decree. Her government is also accused to manipulate the economic numbers and in 2011, the Economist magazine don’t want to publish numbers coming out of Argentina.
Economy:
The country leaved a boom between 2002 and 2007 with the currency’s devaluation which allowed a demand for cheap agricultural products. But high inflation (25%), a stronger peso and lower commodity prices are slowing the growth. The government cuts back on its utility and transportation subsidies. People can’t afford those services.
Sport:
Yes, what qualifies this country is politic, economy and Sport ! They live through soccer. We had the opportunity to go to a match and it is a real difference. There are no opposite team’s fan otherwise they are too violent. Every father brings its son. Mafia is part of the deal of course and they control the choral and have 20% of the ticket’s price. Alcohol is forbidden around 2km of the stadium. THe most 2 famous teams are River Plate and Boca. Most famous player is Lionel Messi playing now for FC Barcelona.
History:
Inca didn’t come to Argentina but its influence arrived from the early 1480s. In 1536, Pedro de Mendoza arrived on the estuary. After 4 years of conflicts with the indigenous Querandi, Mendoza went back to Spain. Spanish continued their occupation of South America from their base in Peru and Bolivia with silver’s mines. They created main cities until Mendoza and Cordoba where Jesuit missionaries established estancias (ranches) to supply mules, foodstuffs and wine.
Buenos Aires grew thanks to the wealth passing through the city and the direct transatlantic trade. Locals chased out the British when they raided the city in 1806 and 1807. At the end of the 18th century, locals became dissatisfied with spanish authority and declared its independence in 1810 after Napoleon invaded Spain. Spanish were expelled from the entire continent in 1820. After that, Argentina had a lack of authority and unity and 20 years, bloody conflicts will exhaust the country between partisans of central authority and pro-pronvicial autonomy ones. With the first president in 1862, economy boomed in BA and immigrants poured in from Spain, Italy, Germany and Eastern Europe. It created a mix culture where music and dance was inspired (tango for example). Follow only military coup. In 1960s, economic problems, strikes, political kidnappings and guerrilla warfare marked Argentine political life. From 1976 to 1983, army general Jorge Rafael Videla control a period of terror and brutality. He killed, tortured and arrested between 10 to 30 000 people against his politics. It was the Dirty War. In 1982, 74 days of war against the British to regain the Falklands Islands devastated Argentine. In 2002, the peso had been pegged to the US dollar, unabling Argentine to compete on the international market. Unemployement hit 25%. President resigned after middle cass’ strike. The 5th president in 2 weeks called Duhalde, devalued the peso and made Argentina default on US$140 billion in foreign debt, the biggest default in world history. In 2003, exports were booming which were great for the GDP but not for the middle cass who sank into poverty. Kirschner father elected in 2003 is one of the favorites ones. He judged the responsible of 1973’s Dirty War, fought against corruption and furthered the alignment with the US and paid all the foreign debt in 2005. Unemployment fell from 25 to 9%.His wife became the first female president of the country.
Tour Du Monde 