This week on Statesman Ties, we’re discussing some interesting facts about Argentina, the country that inspired our Argentina tie.

Fun Fact 1: While the official name of Argentina is the Argentine Republic, the name ‘Argentina’ is derived from the Latin word for silver, argentum. It was originally believed by European settlers that the country was brimming with silver, but this has never been verified.

Fun Fact 2: Aconcagua Mountain in the Andes is not only the tallest mountain in Argentina, but it is also the highest point outside of Asia, dwarfing other well-known mountains like Pike’s Peak in the Rockies, at a staggering 22,841 feet high. Aconcagua is a word from the indigenous dialect of the area and it translates into “stone guard.”

My favorite fact about Argentina is that it was the home to some of the world’s largest carnivorous dinosaurs. Giganotosaurus – similar in appearance to the infamous Tyrannosaurus Rex, but even bigger – was found in Argentina. It may have fed on the Argentinosaurus, another massive dinosaur found in Argentina. The Argentinosaurus may have weighed up to 200,000 pounds.

Let us know if you have any fun facts about Argentina and don’t forget to check out our Argentina tie.