People
Lionel Messi
Rosario, Argentina
Raised in Rosario, he starred for Barcelona for most of his career and captained Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup title.
Born: 1987 · Known for: Footballer
Argentina: leaders, famous people, culture and history
5 places on the atlas covering people, culture and folklore. Highlights include Lionel Messi, Mate sharing and Tango.
What is on the atlas
Who leads Argentina?
| President (head of state and government) | Javier Milei |
|---|
Office-holders as of July 2026. Governments change, so check Argentina’s official government website for the latest. Full list of heads of state and government.
Famous people from Argentina
- Jorge Luis Borges writer
- Eva Peron First Lady and political figure
- Diego Maradona footballer
- Lionel Messi footballer
- Che Guevara revolutionary, born in Rosario
- Julio Cortazar novelist
A short, well-known selection rather than a ranking. People pinned on the map appear in the cards below.
People in Argentina
People
Diego Maradona
Lanús, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Born near Buenos Aires, he led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup and is remembered for two goals against England in that tournament.
Lived: 1960–2020 · Known for: Footballer
Culture in Argentina
Culture
Mate sharing
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Friends pass a gourd of mate around, and one person usually pours for everyone. The shared cup is a sign of friendship across Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.
Tradition: Shared herbal drink
Culture
Gaucho culture
San Antonio de Areco, Argentina
The gauchos of the Pampas became a symbol of Argentine identity, known for horsemanship, asado barbecues and the wide-brimmed hat and bombachas trousers.
Tradition: Horsemen of the pampas
Folklore in Argentina
Folklore
Tango
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tango emerged in the working-class port districts of Buenos Aires and Montevideo in the late 19th century. UNESCO recognises it as intangible heritage.
Kind: Dance and music
How to use this page
This page brings together the people who lead Argentina today, a short selection of well-known people from Argentina, and the 5 places pinned for Argentina on the atlas. Use the buttons at the top to see Argentina on the map, where you can filter by theme, read a short summary of each pin and follow the link to Wikipedia for the full article. To browse the same themes across the whole world, see the people page, culture page and folklore page.
Questions about Argentina
Who is the leader of Argentina?
As of July 2026: President (head of state and government): Javier Milei. Office-holders change, so check the official government site for the latest.
Who are some famous people from Argentina?
Well-known people connected with Argentina include Jorge Luis Borges (writer), Eva Peron (First Lady and political figure), Diego Maradona (footballer), Lionel Messi (footballer) and Che Guevara (revolutionary, born in Rosario).
Which famous people from Argentina are pinned on the atlas?
People pinned for Argentina include Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona. Open the map to read a short summary of each.
What food and customs is Argentina known for?
Food and customs from Argentina on the atlas include Mate sharing and Gaucho culture. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What folklore and music does Argentina have?
Folklore and music from Argentina on the atlas include Tango. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
How can I explore Argentina on the map?
Choose See Argentina on the map above, or search for Argentina on the atlas. You can filter by theme, drag the Time travel slider to see who was alive and what was standing in different centuries, and open any pin for a short summary and a link to the full Wikipedia article.