Tango dance originated in the area of the Rio de la Plata (which is between Argentina and Uruguay), and spread to the rest of the world soon after.^[2]

Early tango was known as tango criollo, or simply tango. Today, there are many tango dancestyles, including Argentine tango, Uruguayan tango, Ballroom tango (American and International styles), Finnish tango, and vintage tangos. Popularly and among tango dancing circles, the authentic tango is considered to be the one which is closest to that originally danced inArgentina and Uruguay, though the other aforementioned types of tango have developed into mature dances in their own right.

In 2009, Argentina and Uruguay suggested that the Tango be inscribed onto the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists and in October of the same year UNESCO approved it.^[3][4]