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City Profile: Buenos Aires, Argentina Important Information About the City of Buenos Aires

The port city of Buenos Aires is the capital city of the country of Argentina. It also happens to be the largest city in the country. At the same time, Buenos Aires boasts of being the second largest metropolitan area in the entire South American continent, preceded only by Greater Saö Paulo. It boasts of being the political, economic, historical, cultural and industrial epicenter of Argentina. Buenos Aires is an Alpha World City.

The exciting city of Buenos Aires is nestled along the western shores of the Rio de la Plata. The city is officially called Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, or the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. The 24-kilometer highway called Avenida General Paz separates the city from the Province of Buenos Aires. Much of city lies on vast fertile pampas or plains, while some parts have grown from reclaimed land along the coast of the world’s widest river, the Rio de Plata.

The autonomous city measures 203 square kilometers or 78.5 square miles that is home to almost 2.9 million residents, according to the 2010 census. While the city is already large, with most of the population concentrated in the city, it’s densely packed, with about 14,000 people sharing each kilometer of space, translated to 37,000 persons living in each square mile. The city limits extend over 19 kilometers from north to south and almost 18 kilometers from east to west. Taking in the whole of the metropolitan area of the city of Buenos Aires, the territory balloons up to 4,758 square kilometers or 1,837 square miles.

Since the late 20th century, the city’s population has remained constant at around three million people. The metropolitan population of Buenos Aires is even bigger at 12.8 million people. This translates to a metro density of 2,700 people per square kilometer or 7,000 residents per square mile. The capital city of Buenos Aires is the most populated city in the country of Argentina, well ahead of the city of Córdoba, which only has less than 1.5 million residents.

Spanish is the official language spoken in the city, although there are some residents who speak Italian, English, German and French. At the same time, Argentine Spanish sounds quite different from traditional Spanish, since some of the pronunciation is different. Also, English is often limited to tourist areas, so it pays to know a bit of the language before packing your bags for Buenos Aires. For those who wish to do business in Buenos Aires, the services of a professional language translation provider may prove useful. Whites of Spanish and Italian descent make up the overwhelming majority of the total population, while mestizos, non-whites and Amerindians make up the rest of the city’s total demographic.

Your Spanish Translation can help you or your business become acclimated to the diverse community of Buenos Aires. We can provide you professionally-trained Spanish interpreters and have all documents translated accurately into Spanish or any language you want by our professional Spanish translators. Click here for more information.”

The city’s climate is typical of other countries in the Americas. Buenos Aires enjoys a humid subtropical climate, wherein the summers are hot and humid while the winters are cool. There are four distinct seasons in the city. This climate is one of the attractions of the city since there are various activities that could be done throughout the year.

The average annual mean temperature in the city is over 17 °C or under 64 °F. January is the warmest month, with temperatures averaging 25 °C or 77 °F, though it can go as high as 31 °C or 88 °F during the daytime. Due to its proximity to Brazil, heat waves from the country also affect Buenos Aires, pushing the temperatures to go past 35 °C or 95 °F. Fortunately, Buenos Aires also benefits from cold fronts, thanks to its location by the Rio de la Plata to help moderate the temperatures.

Travelers going to Buenos Aires should be aware that the degree of risk for major infectious diseases is intermediate. Avoid drinking tap water and ask only for bottled water when dining out. Eat only at places that have established food safety guidelines. Avoid trying the street food since bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A are some of the food and waterborne diseases prevalent in the city. However, travelers should be pleased to know that Buenos Aires serves some of the best steaks in the world, so eating steaks and other beef dishes is a must-try.

Just like other major cities in the world, there are pickpockets, purse-snatchers and other street crimes in Buenos Aires. Some perpetrators even ride motorbikes to make a quick getaway with your belongings. This is why it’s best to leave your valuables at home or keep your travel documents locked in your hotel safe.

There are areas in the city that are safer than other neighborhoods, such as Palermo Soho, Recoleta and Barrio Norte. Travelers should only go to La Boca during the daytime hours and avoid it at night. It is also best to avoid going to San Telmo. It’s a good idea to join tours, as there is safety in numbers.

Professional thieves have been known to rob people leaving banks, after using the ATM machine or even while eating in a restaurant. It’s best to exercise precaution and be aware of your surroundings. Avoid wearing flashy jewelry, clothing or using expensive electronic equipment while out to avoid drawing unnecessary attention to yourself. Avoid letting other people take your photos since these could be petty thieves trying to distract you while their accomplice steals your things. However, these safety concerns shouldn’t detract visitors from enjoying the many beautiful sights of the city or from interacting with the warm people of Buenos Aires.

When going around, opt for Radio Taxis, which your hotel concierge should be able to summon for you. Buses, the underground system and trains are other options. Driving might not be suitable for some travelers since the streets of Buenos Aires could get quite crowded. The city has in fact, 1.8 million registered vehicles. Bike rentals are an option to consider, as well as walking around the neighborhoods. Street taxi cab drivers have been known to give incorrect change, charge higher fares or even try to pass off counterfeit money. When paying for your goods, use small bills since not all vendors have change for larger bills or might try to replace your authentic bill with a counterfeit one.

The Ministro Pistarini International Airport, better known as the Ezeiza International Airport services the people of Buenos Aires. It is located 22 kilometers or just 14 miles from the capital city. Handling over 85% of the international traffic passing through Argentina, Ezeiza is the largest international airport in the country. It is the main hub of Aerolineas Argentinas as well as LAN Argentina. It is ranked as one of the best airports in the region. For domestic flights to and from Buenos Aires, travelers could use the Aeroparque Jorge Newbery Airport.

Buenos Aires is a city of contrasts, mixing European glamour with a unique Latin American flair. More than two million visitors flock to the city each year to enjoy the culture and flavors of Buenos Aires. From being one of the richest cities in the world, Buenos Aires has suffered many economic and political setbacks, although the country today is struggling to regain its former glory. Today, it is a city proud of its important heritage, beautifully designed streets, warm people and its cultural contributions to the world.

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History of Buenos Aires

The history of the city of Buenos Aires is closely linked with Argentina’s history. As the capital city, many of the events that took place in the nation’s capital eventually shaped the overall history of Argentina.

Pedro de Mendoza was a Spanish aristocrat that is credited with making the first attempt at establishing a settlement in what is now the district of San Telmo in 1536. He called the outpost Ciudad Nuestra Señora Santa María del Buen Ayre, which means “Port of Our Lady Saint Mary of the Good Wind” or “City of Our Lady Saint Mary of the Fair Winds.”

The city’s name is derived from the Patron Saint of Bonaria, Our Lady of Bonaria, which had a sanctuary built in the 14th century atop a hill known as Buen Ayre or Bonaria in Sardinia back in the 14th century. Many sailors are devoted to the Virgin of Buen Ayre as it was believed to help sailors navigate the seas and ensure a good journey.

Due to poor planning and after a fierce battle with the Querandí Indians, the early colonizers were forced to retreat. A second settlement was established by Juan de Garay in 1580, who called his settlement “Ciudad de la Santisima Trinidad” with the port given the name “Puerto de Santa María del Buenos Aires.”

However, the Spanish colony remained largely underdeveloped as efforts were focused on mining activities in the Andes. In the 17th and 18th centuries, trade became the backbone of the economy of the growing city. But then, because of many trade restrictions and pirate activities in the Atlantic, the city turned to smuggling instead. As a result, in the 18th century, the Port of Buenos Aires was deemed an open port. The Viceroyalty of the Rio de la Plata was also established during this time, naming Buenos Aires as the capital.

By the early 19th century, the Porteños felt a growing need to emancipate from Spanish rule. This was further cemented when British forces came to the city twice, but were defeated by the people without any aid from Spanish forces.

On May 25, 1810, Buenos Aires declared its independence from Spain. This coincided with the attack of Napoleon on Spain. Called the May Revolution, it is recognized today in the country as an important national holiday. This also led to the Argentine War of Independence, which lasted for eight years.

The country gained its independence on July 9, 1816 at the Congress of Tucumán. The United Provinces of the River Plate was formed. However, a difference in political views resulted in some interior provinces breaking off from the union, forming Paraguay in 1814, Bolivia in 1825 and Uruguay three years after.

In the mid-19th century, Buenos Aires served as the capital of the Buenos Aires Province and later, the capital of the State of Buenos Aires. In 1880, a federalized government was established in the city. During this period, the city saw an economic boom, thanks to the development of the railroad and the agricultural boom of the pampas region. The growing economy of the city attracted a multitude of immigrants from Spain, Germany and Italy, so that by the 1930s, Buenos Aires had become regarded as a multicultural city at par with many other premiere European capital cities. Other immigrants to the city came from Ireland, Poland, Ukraine and Croatia, pushing the city’s population from 90,000 to over 670,000 people.

The Golden Age of Buenos Aires saw the development of media in the city, particularly, radio, television, theater and cinema. By the 20th century, the infrastructure of the city reached new heights, with the construction of what was then the tallest building in South America as well as the continent’s fist underground system. By World War I, the country of Argentina was recognized as one of the ten richest countries in the world, surpassing the wealth of France and Germany.

However, continued political tensions would affect the overall status of the city and country. At the same time, internal migration of people from the provinces moving to the outskirts of the capital city would not only form the labor force of the city, but also further strain the resources of the government. Laborers started to organize into protest groups, the export markets started to decline and military groups took over the country’s leadership. This would plunge Buenos Aires and the country of Argentina into political, economic and social turmoil during the 20th century.

Democracy returned to the country in 1983, which also marked a cultural revival in the city. By the end of the 20th century, the city was on its way into an economic revival led by the construction and financial industry. However, efforts were once again derailed by the 21st century, when the country’s poor economic management resulted in what would become the largest debt default in history. The country suffered from a severe bank run and many businesses were affected, resulting in more than half of the population to fall below the poverty line.

By 2006, the country once again was on track for an economic recovery, under the leadership of President Nestor Kirchner. Buenos Aires once again made international headlines when his wife, Cristina became the country’s first female president to win by popular vote in 2007.

By the first decade of the new millennium, economic growth rate was pegged at 8% while poverty and unemployment rates went down. Tourism also boomed in the city since it became a highly affordable vacation destination. Seems like no matter how things unfold for the Porteños, the resiliency and determination of the people of the city of Buenos Aires will always ensure that they will meet challenges head on.

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Demographics of Buenos Aires

Residents of Buenos Aires are referred to as Porteños , which means “people of the port.” Since the mid-20th century, the population of the city proper has stayed around the three million mark. This is due to the city’s low birth rate as well as a low migration rate. Overall, the population growth rate is less than one percent a year. However, the population in the surrounding districts has seen a rapid increase, reaching up to ten million residents. The most populated area of Buenos Aires is Palermo, while the Recoleta is the second most populated neighborhood, followed by Cabalito.

As of 2010, there are 2.9 million Porteños living in the city proper of Buenos Aires, while 12.8 million individuals reside in the metropolitan area. This gives the city a high population density, making Buenos Aires the third largest conurbation in the entire Latin America.

Whites make up the majority of the city’s residents, with close to 89% of the total demographic. The people of Buenos Aires are mostly from European origins, especially Spain and Italy, though there are those of Polish, Arab, German, French, Irish, Greek, Dutch, Norwegian, Russian and Swedish as well as of British descent.

This is followed by Mestizos, which account for just 2% of the total population. The mestizo population grew from the increased net migration of Argentines from the province and countries such as Chile, Peru, Paraguay and Bolivia. The combined population of Asians and Blacks round up the racial make up of the city at one percent of the population. The Asian population hail mostly for Okinawa, Japan, followed by people from China and Korea.

Over 97% of the citizens are considered literate, meaning those over the age of 15 have the ability to read and write. Porteños speak Rioplatense Spanish as their official language, which is also spoken in the cities of Montevideo and Rosario. Italian, English, German and French are other languages spoken in the city limits. The services of a professional language service provider may be needed by those who wish to do business in the city, and this is available in Buenos Aires.

About 92% of the total population is considered Roman Catholic although only about 20% practice their religion closely. Protestants and those belonging to the Jewish faith each accounts for 2% of the population. In fact, the Jewish population in the city is composed of about quarter of a million and is considered as the largest in all of Latin America. It is also the second largest Jewish community in the Americas. Other religions make up 4% of the religions practiced by the Porteños.

The city also has one of the largest gay communities in all of Latin America. Same sex marriages are legal in the country, making it a welcome haven for gay couples. This liberal attitude has resulted in a boom of a number of business activities targeting the gay populace.

At the start of the new millennium, Buenos Aires had an age structure that was similar to many other European cities. About 28% of the population was under 15 years old, while those over 60 years of age accounted for 14% of the total population. This gives the city a resident labor force of 1.2 million workers in 2001, most of which work in the services sector.

The majority of the residents of Buenos Aires live in apartment buildings, while just 30% opt for single-family dwelling and 4% are in sub-standard housing units. Overall, the Buenos Aires Human Development Index is quite high, measuring 0.923 as of 1998. It is estimated that about four million residents in Metropolitan Buenos Aires are poor, with a city poverty rate of 8.4% as of 2007.

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Economy of Buenos Aires

Being the economic and industrial center of Argentina, Buenos Aires is bustling with activity and is responsible for generating almost a quarter of the country’s entire GDP. In 2011, the Gross Geographic Product or GGP of the city is at $84.7 billion, giving Buenos Aires a per capita income of $34,200. The currency used in Buenos Aires is the peso.

Metro Buenos Aires is considered the 13th largest economy in the world and one of the biggest in the continent. The port area is one of the busiest in all of South America, serving as an important distribution channel for the continent. More than 11 million revenue tons are processed in the Port of Buenos Aires each year, while over at Dock Sud, 17 million metric tons of goods are handled annually.

Many of the jobs in the city are in the services sector, accounting for as much as 76% of the city’s economy. Social services employ 25% of the total labor force, while commerce and tourism generate 20% of the city’s jobs. Business and financial services employ 17% of the citizenry, while public administration accounts for just six percent of the total labor force. Manufacturing accounts for 10% of the city’s workers and contributes about 16% of the total economic activity of the city.

Advertising is a major services export of the city. At the same time, the city also accounts for almost half of the country’s bank deposits and lending activities. The construction sector has also been very active in Buenos Aires. Since 2006, the city has had three million square meters of construction a year.

Industries in the city include oil refining, metalworking, automobile manufacturing and machine building. Beverage, clothing, textile and chemical production are also other important industries in the city.

The agricultural sector of Buenos Aires is the Pampa Húmeda, located to the west of city, which produces wheat, corn and soybeans. These and other products such as wool, leather goods, tobacco, grain, dairy and meat are processed and manufactured into various goods in the Buenos Aires metro area.

The unemployment rate is quite high at 21.2% as of 2009. Females suffer from a higher unemployment rate than their male counterparts.

Argentina and the capital city of Buenos Aires plunged into economic turmoil in the 20th and 21st century. It is responsible for having the largest international debt default in history, severely affecting the country’s international credit rating. By the early 21st century, the government was able to restructure its debt so that it was able to pay of 85% of the interest owed to its creditors. Today, Buenos Aires still faces many economic issues, although it has been on track to regain its economic momentum from the last century.

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Buenos Aires Attractions

Buenos Aires has many attractions that draw some 2.5 million tourists to the city each year. The Buenos Aires bus is the city’s tour bus service that handles some 700 to 800 travelers each day to various locations throughout the city.

To get a feel of Buenos Aires, one only needs to stroll along the streets of Calle Florida, a busy shopping street in the downtown area. Check out Plaza San Martin and view the statue of José de San Martin riding a horse in the middle of the square, as well as the Torre Monumental, a clock that was a gift of the British Government to the city in commemoration of the 1810 May Revolution centennial and some very old Ombú trees. Travelers would appreciate the architecture of the Italianate buildings in the neighborhood, juxtaposed with the Edificio Kavanagh, the tallest Art Deco structure in South America. Further down is the Galerías Pacifico, which used to be the Buenos Aires-Pacific Railway, but the historic landmark is now a shopping and cultural center. Here, visitors would enjoy looking at the 12 murals created in 1946 by Antonio Berni, Demetrio Urruchúa, Manuel Colmeiro, Juan Carlos Castagnino and Lino Enea Spilimbergo. Additional frescoes were added during its renovation. On the mezzanine level is the Jose Luis Borges Cultural Center, a popular venue for musical events and exhibitions.

Plaza de Mayo is the site of many historic on-goings in the city, such as the May Revolution, the laborer’s demonstrations in 1945 during the Perón regime, the Bombing of Plaza de Mayo in 1955 and the silent march of the mothers of those killed during the country’s “Dirty War” in 1976. It dates back to 1580 and is the first central plaza of Buenos Aires.

Cabildo was used during the colonial times as the country’s seat of government. It now houses the National Museum of the Cabildo and the May Revolution. Here visitors could look at 18th century jewelry, clothing, artifacts and several paintings. It still retains the ornamental water well that was erected in 1835. Today, Casa Rosada serves that purpose, wherein the executive branch of the country’s government holds office. Also known as The Pink House, this is where Evita Perón famously addressed the people from the lower balcony, as immortalized in the Broadway play, Evita. On the other hand, the Argentine Parliament can be found at the National Congress.

Another interesting site in the city is The Obelisk, which is also one of the most iconic images in the city. The Obelisco de Buenos Aires is located at the Plaza de la Republica and commemorates the fourth centenary of when the city was first founded. The very large square located at the San Nicolás quarter is the city’s answer to London’s Piccadilly Circus and New York’s Times Square.

Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes or the MNBA is found in the posh Recoleta district and has over 4,600 square meters of exhibit space. It features a fine collection of modern art pieces, some 688 major works on permanent display, 12,000 sketches and other important works. The contemporary Argentine Art Pavilion features works to promote local artists such as Benito Martin, Ernesto de la Cárcova, Antonio Berni, Eduardo Sivori and Raquel Forner. The museum also has works by Paul Gaugin, Edgar Degas, Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh and Auguste Rodin.

The Immigrants Hotel is an interesting structure that dates back to 1906. As the name connotes, this was used as a processing center for the thousands of immigrants that flocked to the city in the early 20th century. Today, it is a National Museum.

There are a number of churches in the city, owing to the country’s roots in Christianity, such as the Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Pilar. The seat of the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires is the Metropolitan Cathedral. The 16th century cathedral faces Plaza de Mayo. Several reconstructions over the centuries have given the once simple 18th building with a nave and dome, a severe 19th Neoclassical frontage. The cathedral does not have a tower and still retained its 18th century interior altarpieces, statues and decorations in Neo-Baroque and Neo-Renaissance styles, most of them made of carved wood and created by notable colonial sculptors. It also has one of the finest organs manufactured by Walcker Organs of Germany, made in 1871.

The Basilica del Santisimo Sacramento is one of the best examples of French Neo-Classical design in the city. At the time of its construction, it had the largest marble altar of a church in South America. It was made of Carrara marble, with three maiolicas or tin glazed pottery from Venice in its altar and sculptures carved out of white marble. The Basilica also has the largest Cavaillé-Coll Mutin organ of any church in the country, with more than 4,000 tubes and four manuals.

Many travelers often take the time to visit the Cementerio de la Recoleta. This may seem rather morbid to do, but this is the cemetery of the city’s elite residents, including Evita Perón’s grave, as well as a number of past presidents, politicians, military heroes and other famous Argentine personalities.

Travelers with children would enjoy Parque Temaikén. Here, visitors would see pygmy hippos, meerkats and white tigers in natural enclosures. There is also an aquarium as well as a number of interactive displays designed to be a complete learning experience for young children.

For a bit of nature, Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur is a top destination in the city located in the Puerto Madero district. Many families go here especially on the weekends to enjoy a picnic, go biking or simply enjoy the Argentine sun. Birdwatchers would be enthused to know there are over 200 bird species to be found here.

From Buenos Aires, travelers have the option of going to other cities and places of interest in Argentina. There is La Plata, which is known for its plazas and music scene, as well as Capilla del Señor and San Antonio de Areco, which gives travelers a peek into colonial times. El Tigre is another day trip destination, with an amusement park, weekend crafts fairs, a casino and a lovely river where visitors could take a leisurely stroll. For an amazing natural sight, head to Iguazu Falls, found sharing a border with Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. This is considered one of the natural wonders of the world and is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Finally, there is Luján, a city in the province of Buenos Aires, which is famous for its cathedral and zoo. Visitors in Buenos Aires could even take a ferry and go to the capital city of Montevideo or Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay, just on the other side of the Rio Plata.

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Buenos Aires Culture

Buenos Aires is a mixture of influences and of the new and old. Art Nouveau-styled buildings along Avenida de Mayo, museums along the Avenida del Libertador, entertainments found along Avenida Rivadavia and Avenida Corrientes and upscale hotels on the Avenida Alvear are just some of the things that await travelers visiting the amazing capital city of Argentina. Many travelers often congregate at the Microcentro district or the posh Recoleta district, though the oldest district of San Telmo takes visitors to the city’s colonial period.

The culture in Buenos Aires has been influenced strongly by Europe, earning it the name, “Paris of South America.” The Spanish and Italian immigrants who came to the city in the 20th century have also placed their mark in the city’s culture, since they brought with them not only their language, but also their cuisine, music and various traditions.

The artistic flavor of the city is seen in the many murals found all over the city, as well as the beautiful architecture of many churches and important buildings in the metro. Some of the city’s most beautiful buildings are the Iglesia Santa Felicitas, the Palace of Justice, Teatro Colón and the National Congress. The city’s architecture is reminiscent of that found in Paris, Madrid and Barcelona, with styles ranging from Colonial and Art Deco to Neo-Gothic and French Bourbon. Buenos Aires is also home to one of the tallest buildings in South America, the Palacio Barolo, which is also the first skyscraper in Argentina. The first building in the world with central air conditioning was also built in Buenos Aires, the Kavanagh Building. Another important building in the city in terms of architecture is the Water Company Palace. This pumping station was constructed in 1877. It was designed in a French Renaissance style. It truly is a palace made with more than 300,000 terra cotta tiles imported from Britain.

One of the oldest botanical gardens is in Buenos Aires, the Buenos Aires Botanical Garden that was inaugurated in 1898. It contains about 5,500 plant species, five greenhouses and several monuments and sculptures. Parque Tres de Febrero is one of the largest parks in the city, distinguished by a rose garden and a paddleboat lake. The Buenos Aires Japanese Gardens is also one of the largest of its kind found outside of Japan. The city’s zoo is world-famous.

Tango is undoubtedly one of the most important cultural contributions of Argentina to the world. The dance has even been recognized by UNESCO as part of the cultural heritage of the world. Famous tango performers include Tita Merello, Hugo del Carril, Carlos Gardel and Edmundo Rivero. The Avenida Corrientes is a main thoroughfare in the city that has been closely associated with the country’s dance. On Sunday nights, the plaza is the venue of some amazing Tango performances. The best places to catch a tango performance is at Milongas, which is a venue dedicated to Tango.

The dramatic arts are strong in the city, with Buenos Aires having the busiest live theater industry in all of Latin America. In fact, Buenos Aires has the most number of active theaters in the continent. Buenos Aires is also the cinema and filmmaking capital of Argentina. Since cinema first reached the shores of the city in 1896, it has since then transformed the capital as an important backbone of the country’s cinema industry. Buenos Aires is a city where more than 2,000 films have been produced, directed or filmed.

Various genres of music are appreciated in Buenos Aires. Even Celtic music could be heard, thanks to the influence of European immigrants to the city. Buenos Aires also hosts some of the largest music festivals in the country, such as the Buenos Aires Jazz Festival, Creamfields Buenos Aires festival of electronic music and Quilmes Rock Festival.

The city’s Teatro Colón is among the best opera houses in the world. Buenos Aires also boasts of a variety of museums showcasing various genres of art, such as Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes and the Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires or MALBA. Night of Museums or La Noche de los Museos in November is a highly anticipated event, wherein most of the city’s museums are open all night. Centro Cultural Recolata is an important cultural center of the city, which hosts various art and cultural events throughout the year.

Because of the numerous bookstores and libraries in the city, Buenos Aires has also been fondly referred to as “the city of books.” The Buenos Aires International Book Fair is held every April, which is considered as one of the top five book fairs in the whole world. The largest library in the country, the National Library, is based in the capital city. Here, visitors get to view various important historical documents, as well as belongings of former presidents and a room recreated up to the minutest historical detail.

Buenos Aires is also a center of learning. The education of children in the city is compulsory for 13 years, with a primary level and a secondary or polimodal level. There are a number of private and public universities in the city, one of the topmost being the University of Buenos Aires, which is regarded as a premiere learning institution in the Americas. The city is a center for the study of psychoanalysis, particularly that of the Lacanian method, which combines psychoanalysis and philosophy.

The city’s fashion industry remains vibrant, culminating in the Buenos Aires Fashion Week, which is held two times a year since 2001. Other important fashion events in the city are the Argentina Fashion Week, Buenos Aires Runway and the Buenos Aires Moda. Buenos Aires has in fact, been appointed as the first UNESCO City of Design, a prestigious designation it earned twice, first in 2005 and the second in 2007.

Buenos Aires has many ritzy boutiques to cater to the discriminate shopper. Alto Palermo, Paseo Alcorta, Galerias Pacifico, Abasto de Buenos Aires and Patio Bullrich are some of the most popular shopping centers in the capital city. For antique finds, the best stores are in San Telmo. Almalgo comes alive early on Sunday mornings, in time for the regular Sunday fairs. If you are shopping for souvenirs, leather goods are of excellent quality in Argentina and often make for great souvenir and gift items.

When the sun sets, the nightlife of the city is quite exciting, with clubs staying open till 6 or 7am. The city is also a great place to have some of the finest steaks in the world, and the place to do it is at a parrilla or steak house. There are parrilla tours in the city where travelers would be able taste the best flavors of the city. Thanks to the influence of Spanish and Italian immigrants, Buenos Aires is an excellent place to get cuisine from these countries, such as pizza and empanadas. Argentine wine is also a must try in the city as the vintage is considered some of the best in the world. Malbec is a signature purple grape variety that is used widely by the fine wineries in Argentina. For dessert, alfajores, or cookies made with dulce de leche, are widely popular.

Football is the sport of choice in Buenos Aires. With some 24 professional football teams, the city is known to have the highest concentration of football teams among all major cities worldwide. The most heated rivalry is between River Plate and Boca Juniors, often reaching frenetic heights of devotion among its fans during game day.

Argentine cowboys or Gauchos are part of the culture of Buenos Aires and their love for horses could be seen in the many sports involving the animals. Horseracing is a must try at the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo racetrack. Another horse-related activity that the Porteños enjoy is polo at the Campo de Argentino de Polo. The biggest polo event is in December at Las Cañitas. A unique sport in the city is pato, which is basketball played while riding a horse. A Gaucho party is something that visitors would definitely enjoy. Part of the party involves riding horses and participants get to enjoy traditional gaucho food. Gaucho items such as knives and traditional clothing make for some of the best souvenirs to bring back home.

Buenos Aires has made three bids to host the Summer Olympics, although it has yet to win. It is positioning itself to bid for the Summer Youth Olympics of 2018. The city however, has been host to the first Pan American Games in 1951, as well as a number of important World Championship events, such as the 1990 Basketball World Championships and the 1978 FIFA World Cup. Buenos Aires will also host the 125th International Olympic Committee in 2013, which will decide who will host the 2020 Summer Games and the new President of the IOC.

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Interesting Facts About Buenos Aires

There are many interesting facts about Buenos Aires that have placed the city on many travelers’ radar and on the world map. Here are some things you might not know about the Argentine capital city.

  • Buenos Aires has been gaining recognition as a top tourist destination in the world. In 2008, Travel + Leisure Magazine readers voted it as the second most desirable city to visit, next to Florence in Italy. In the same year, Buenos Aires received 2.5 million tourists.
  • Buenos Aires is called many nicknames. These include The Queen of El Plata, The Capital of Tango, The South American Paris, The City of Books, the Paris of Pampas, and the Cultural Capital of Latin America.
  • The Rio de la Plata is the widest river in the world. The name of the river translates to River of Silver. It measures 290 kilometers or 180 miles long and widens up to 220 kilometers or 140 miles wide at the mouth of the river. At the inner part of the river, it measures only 2 kilometers or 1.2 miles wide, while it has a total surface area measuring 35,000 square kilometers or 14,000 square miles. The Rio de la Plata serves as the border between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Montevideo, Uruguay, and its coastline is the most densely populated area of both countries.
  • Avenida 9 de Julio is one of the widest avenues in the world. Its name comes from the Independence Day of Argentina, which falls on July 9, 1816. It stretches approximately a kilometer from to the west of the Rio de la Plata waterfront, to the Retiro district up north and Constitution Station in the southern portion of the city. The avenue comprises seven lanes going in each direction, aside from parallel streets of two lanes each that run on each side of the avenue.
  • Two of the most infamous characters out of Argentina are President Juan Domingo Perón, and his wife Eva. Perón’s presidency created the country’s first welfare state system, while his wife became beloved by the masses because of her social assistance foundation programs. However, Perón’s presidency was a dictatorship and he was deposed in a military coup in 1955 and exiled in Spain. His third wife, Isabelita Perón, succeeded him but she was also removed from office after a military coup in 1976.
  • It was only in 1996 when the residents of Buenos Aires were able to elect their mayor. Prior to this, the constitution of the country granted the President of the country the right to appoint the city’s mayor.
  • The country of Argentina has been historically considered one of the wealthiest countries a century ago because it is abundant in natural resources, a diversified industrial sector and a highly literate work force. The bulk of the economic activity is propelled by the nation’s capital city. However, the 20th century saw the country fall into a severe depression, culminating in the largest foreign debt government default in history.
  • The University of Buenos Aires has some of the most distinguished alumni in the country. Five Nobel Prize winners graduated from the esteemed university.
  • The largest mosque in Latin America is in the city of Buenos Aires. The King Fahd Islamic Cultural Center was inaugurated in 2000 and has a capacity of 1,200 men and 400 women in its prayer halls. There is a primary and secondary school, a divinities school and a dormitory that is able to accommodate 50 students in its cultural center. The mosque sits on 34,000 square meters of land in the Palermo district of Buenos Aires.
  • The city of Buenos Aires is divided into 48 different districts or barrios. This stems from the administrative division of the city into Catholic parishes.
  • One of the biggest man-made tragedies in the city happened on December 30, 2004. A pyrotechnic flare caused a fire to break out at the República Cromagñón nightclub causing the loss of lives of close to 200 people.
  • Mauricio Macri is the current mayor of the autonomous region of Buenos Aires, winning a re-election bid in 2011. He has been mayor of the city since 2007.
  • Buenos Aires is a twin city of many other important cities around the globe. These include: the cities of Brasilia, Porto Alegre, Rio de Janeiro and Säo Paulo in Brazil; the cities of Prague and Most in the Czech Republic; the cities of Bergamo, Cagliari, Calabria, Genoa, Lucca, Milan, Naples and Rome in Italy; the Spanish cities of Almeria, Barcelona, Bilbao, Cadiz, Guadix, Madrid, Oviedo, Salamanca, Santiago de Compostela, Seville and Vigo; as well as Geneva, London, Miami, Cairo, Seoul, Beijing, Toulouse, Berlin, Montevideo, Warsaw, Lisbon, Rotterdam, Osaka and Moscow.

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References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buenos_Aires
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/argentina/buenos-aires
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g312741-s206/Buenos-Aires:Argentina:Health.And.Safety.html
http://wikitravel.org/en/Buenos_Aires

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