BUENOS AIRES 

Buenos Aires is a massive city with a current population more than 12 million.  Founded in 1536, Buenos Aires was established by Pedro de Mendoza, Spanish expeditionary in search of gold.  However, the native people continually attacked, eventually forcing settlers to move to Asuncion in 1539, which is now Paraguay’s capital.  Then in 1541, the old site was burned to the ground.  By 1580, a second and permanent settlement was constructed by a man called Juan de Garay. 

While Spain had long overlooked Buenos Aires for the wealth of Mexico and Peru, soon more and more settlers came, as did the beginning of trade.  In 1617, Buenos Aires’ province was separated from Asuncion’s administration.  At this time, it was given its own governor.  Then in 1620, a bishopric was founded.  Soon, Buenos Aires stopped being a threat to the aboriginals although raids carried out by the Danish, French, and Portuguese were still frequent.  Even so, Buenos Aires stayed connected to the Spanish viceroy in Peru until 1776 at which time it became the capital of the Rio de la Plata, a newly created viceroyalty. 

As the years passed, prosperity rose.  Soon, restrictions on trade were lifted, creating an open port into the city.  However, the “people of the port” stood in the way, desperately wanting separation from the Spanish Empire.  By the early 19^th century, Spain became France’s ally during the Napoleonic Wars.  Wars broke out, which only pushed Buenos Aires and Argentina to wanting independence even more.  Then by 1816, independence came, which created a huge and long conflict with the Unitarians. 

Although many things had to be ironed out from a political standpoint, Buenos Aires continued to climb to success.  Soon, the railroad came, which boosted both settlements and economy more.  Today, Buenos Aires as the capital city of Argentina is home primarily to the Spanish and Italian although you will find many different nationalities to include German, British, French, Syrian, and Eastern Europe.  As the largest city in Latin American, you will see many different industries such as financial, commercial, social, and industrial.  Because of this, Buenos Aires is one of the most productive of all agricultural regions with an impressive trade and distribution hub.

Buenos Aires also has one of the busiest ports in all of Latin America, which has a strong historical importance.  In fact, this particular port had people from earlier years that actually called themselves Portenos, which translates to “people of the port”.  Some of the main exports seen going out of the Buenos Aires port is flax, wool, hides, meat, dairy, and linseed oil. 

Another fascinating aspect of Buenos Aires is that it is the most heavily industrialized city in Argentina.  Buenos Aires is also a huge food-processing hub where giant meatpacking, flourmills, and refrigeration plants exist.  Other primary industries include automotive, metalworking, oil refining, machine building, printing and publishing, and textile production of tobacco, clothing, beverages, paper, and chemicals.  As you can see, the opportunity for employment in Buenos Aires is huge and diverse. 

As a vastly wealthy city, Buenos Aires is modern and known for some major attractions.  While there, tourists might visit the Plaza de Mayo, a square that includes some impressive buildings to include the Casa Rosada, Argentina’s President office, national museums, and more.  Some of the more famous streets include Avenida 9 de Julio, which commemorates Argentina’s Independence from Spain on July 9 in 1816 and Avenida de Corrientes, the nucleus of the nightclub and theater district for those who enjoy late nights of fun. 

One of the most famous landmarks in Buenos Aires is the Cathedral, which was finished in 1804.  There, the tomb of Jose de San Martin along with various cultural, educational, and scientific institutions reside.  This city also offers a number of private and public universities, one of the most famous opera houses in the world called the Teatro Colon, museums, a comprehensive subway system, international airport, and more.