Tango is a partner and social dance that originated in the 1880s along the Río de la Plata, which serves as the natural border between Argentina and Uruguay. It first emerged in the impoverished port areas of these two countries.
The dance was developed from a combination of Argentine Milonga, Spanish-Cuban Habanera, and Uruguayan Candombe celebrations. It was frequently practiced in bars and brothels within the ports, where business owners hired bands to provide entertainment for patrons. Since its inception, tango has spread globally and exists in numerous variations around the world.