Buenos Aires information
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after Sao Paulo. Owing to its population, the city is ranked at the 15th place among the world cities. Buenos Aires means "Good Air" in the Spanish language.The city is a financial, industrial and commercial center of Argentina. Economically, it is one of the wealthiest cities in Argentina boasting with rich cultural heritage. It is also the center of transportation, the focal point of departure for traveling to the rest of the country.
Inhabitants of Buenos Aires are called porteños, "people from the port". The city is a unique destination, exceptionally interesting for visitors and tourists coming there in great numbers.
Buenos Aires location
Buenos Aires is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Rio de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American Continent, opposite Uruguay.Buenos Aires has a total area of 203 square km. The City is divided into 48 districts or barrios. Together with its metropolitan area or Great Buenos Aires (Gran Buenos Aires), this is one of the ten most populated urban centers in the world with over 15 million people.
Buenos Aires coordinates are 34º 36' South, 58º 26' West.
Buenos Aires weather
Buenos Aires has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons and an annual mean temperature of 17.7°C (63.9°F). The warmest month is January, with a daily average of 25.1°C (77.2°F). Most days see temperatures from 28 to 31°C (82 to 88°F) with nights between 16 to 21°C (61 to 70°F). Heat waves from Brazil can push temperatures above 35°C (95°F), yet the city is subject to cold fronts that bring short periods of pleasant weather and crisp nights. Relative humidity is moderately high (64–70%) in the summer. The highest temperature ever recorded was 43.3°C (110°F) on 29th January 1957. Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) are generally mild with average temperatures of around 17°C (63°F) and frequent thunderstorms, especially during the spring.The summer months are December, January and February and winter months are June, July and August. June and July tend to experience the coolest climate in Buenos Aires, when average daytime temperatures stay around 15°C / 59°F or 16°C / 61°F. Nights can be chilly so you will often need a coat if you are going out at night.
Buenos Aires history
Seaman Juan Díaz de Solís, navigating in the name of Spain, was the first European to reach the Río de la Plata in 1516. His expedition was cut short when he was killed during an attack by a native tribe.The city of Buenos Aires was first established as Ciudad de Nuestra Señora Santa María del Buen Ayre "City of Our Lady Saint Mary of the Fair Winds" on 2nd February 1536 by a Spanish expedition led by Pedro de Mendoza. The settlement founded by Mendoza was located in what is today the San Telmo district of Buenos Aires, south of the city center.
Numerous native people attacks had chased the settlers away, and in 1541 the site was abandoned. A second (and permanent) settlement was established in 1580 by Juan de Garay, who arrived by sailing down the Paraná River from Asunción (now the capital of Paraguay). He named the settlement "Santísima Trinidad" and its port became "Puerto de Santa María de los Buenos Aires".
Although Buenos Aires was neglected for a long time by Spain that found more interest in the wealth of Mexico and Peru, yet the settlement's growth was inspired by the development of trade, especially smuggling.
In 1617 the province of Buenos Aires or Río de la Plata, was separated from the administration of Asunción having its own governor and a bishopric was established there in 1620. During the 17th century the city ceased to be endangered by the natives but at that time it was exposed to frequent attacks of Europeans: French, Portuguese, and Danes.
In 1776 Buenos Aires became the capital of a newly created vice-royalty of the Río de la Plata that included much of the present-day Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia.
The restrictions on trade were gradually removed and the prosperity of the city increased. With the construction of an open port at Buenos Aires during the reign of Charles III of Spain, the city became even more prosperous and its inhabitants wanted eagerly to separate from the Spanish Empire. In 1806, during Spanish alliance with France and the Napoleonic Wars, British troops invaded Buenos Aires. The city was attacked twice by the British, but the attacks were repelled.
On May 25, 1810 (now celebrated as a national holiday), armed citizens of the cabildo, or town council, successfully demanded the resignation of the Spanish viceroy and established a provisional representative government. This action inaugurated the Latin American revolt against the Spanish rule.
Argentina gained independence officially on July 9th, 1816 but a long conflict between the Unitarians, the strongest party in Buenos Aires province and Federalists, mostly from the interior provinces, flared up.
In 1853 the city and province of Buenos Aires refused to participate in a Constituent Congress and withdrew from Argentina. National political unity was finally achieved when Bartolomé Mitre became Argentina's president in 1862 and made Buenos Aires its capital. Disunion between Buenos Aires and the province continued until 1880, when the city was detached from the province and federalized. A new city, La Plata, was built as the provincial capital.
Railroads were constructed in Argentina in the second half of the 19th century stimulating the foundation of new settlements and cultivation of pampas, whose products were important for the growth of Buenos Aires export. As the economic power of the city increased, immigrants from all over the world started settling the town, particularly in 1920s.
In 1970s and 80s the city's transportation system developed rapidly and helped extending its economic growth.
Buenos Aires tourist attractions
Buenos Aires, often referred to as "Paris of South America" is strongly influenced by European culture. There are numbers of theaters and theatrical productions in the city.Buenos Aires is the site of the Teatro Colón, an internationally rated opera house. There is the largest concentration of active theaters in Latin America. There are several symphony orchestras and choral societies. The city has numerous museums related to history, fine arts, modern arts, decorative arts, popular arts, sacred art, arts and crafts, theater and popular music, as well as the preserved homes of noted art collectors, writers, composers and artists. There are hundreds of bookstores, public libraries and cultural associations in the city.
It has a world-famous zoo and Botanical Garden, a large number of landscaped parks and squares, as well as architecturally very interesting churches.
International Book Fair held in April every year is one of the top-five book fairs in the world. "La Noche de los Museos" (Night of Museums) takes place every November. This day most of the museums of the city are open all night long.
There are many attractions in Buenos Aires, we shall mention some of them as a must see on your itinerary in this outstanding city:
Caminito, Cancha de Boca, and House of Culture. There are a lot of fascinating monuments in Buenos Aires that you should definitely visit. The Obelisk, which is a famous monument of Buenos Aires, was built in May 1936 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the foundation of Buenos Aires. It is constructed at the site where the Argentinean flag fluttered for the very first time. This towering structure is more than 67 meters high and 49 square meters wide. There is only one entrance to this magnificent structure and there are four windows at the peak of the tower, which can only be reached after climbing a206-step staircase.
There are numerous fascinating museums in Buenos Aires – you should visit at least some of them giving a glimpse into the local history and culture, contemporary art, science and technology. The most famous museums dealing with the local history are: Cabildo de Lujan, Centro Cultural Recoleta, and Museo Historio Nationale. The Centro Cultural Recoleta was built in the year 1716 by the Franciscan Recoleto monks. It was transformed into a museum in 1978 displaying various objects of art.
In this center you will be informed about the life of the most popular female person in Argentina, a national icon - Eva Peron. The complex was once used by The Eva Peron Foundation, the present day Museo Evita is divided into different sections, each focusing on different periods of Evita’s life. There you will see her clothes and her personal objects on display.
For many visitors, the story of Eva Duarte de Peron is relatively familiar, owing to Andrew Lloyd Webber's famous stage musical entitled "Evita", and Madonna's portrayal of Eva Peron in the 1996 musical movie of the same name.
In the province of Buenos Aires there are numbers of beautiful Atlantic Ocean beaches. Several cities in the province of Buenos Aires are located at the seaside. Some of the famous seaside cities boasting with long virgin beaches are San Clemente del Tuyu, Santa Teresita, and Mar Ajo. Mar del Plata offers to holidaymakers beautiful natural surroundings and modern facilities and services. These beaches are the ideal place for sun bathing and swimming, especially for families with children.
Buenos Aires is a well known shopping center, one of the best in South America. It is known for the good quality of its leather goods.
Recoleta is a fashionable and the most expensive shopping area in Buenos Aires. A handicraft market is held here every weekend. Street artists entertain passers-by with their performances.
Argentina has one export product that has surpassed any other – it is their famous dance - "tango" that has conquered the whole world. Tango is extremely popular in Buenos Aires and the city celebrates a "Tango Day" every year on December 11th. Tango is the most important cultural contribution that Buenos Aires has given to the world. The music and dance are both seductive giving a special feeling of satisfaction and entertainment.