Buenos Aires city, information of Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires, located in the South American continent, is the capital city of Argentina. What is more, including the metropolitan area (the outskirts that form Gran Buenos Aires) it is the second largest city in South America. The surface of the city is flat and even, it is located in the right bank of the River Plate and covers 19,4 kilometres from north to south and 17,9 kilometres from east to west. The city is located 20 meters above sea level.

This city occupies and area of 203 square kilometres and the population now stands at 3,042,581 people (and 13,044,800 in the metropolitan area). Moreover, Buenos Aires is the country’s most important cultural centre and one of the main ones in Latin America.

Names

In addition to the name “Buenos Aires”, this city is commonly known by other names in Argentina, For example, Argentines sometimes refer to the city as “Capital Federal” in order to differentiate the city from the province of the same name and dropping reference to the independence achieved by this district during Julio Argentino Roca’s presidency. Many times the term “Ciudad de Buenos Aires” or simply “Buenos Aires” is used to talk about this city, though the last one can lead to confusion. According to the constitution adopted in 1994, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires is one of the city’s official names.

Neighbourhoods

Buenos Aires is officially divided into 48 neighbourhoods which were built from the old parish churches of the XIX century. Some of these units have existed for decades now but others have been settled very recently. One example of this is Parque Chas. The limits of this area were not settled until the 18th January 2006 when the Official Law number 1907 was adopted and published in the Law Journal. However, informal names have always been commonly used to refer to some areas of the city such as Barrio Parque and Abasto and many others that nowadays have become very popular for commercial reasons.

The decentralization system of the government is aimed at setting the limits between neighbourhoods, since each commune, or “comuna”, encompasses one or more neighbourhoods.

Transport

Since Buenos Aires is an important city it requires an equally important and large transport system. Not only is an efficient transport system absolutely necessary for people who live in the city itself but also people who live in outer neighbourhoods need efficient transport in order to go to work.

There are several viable options to access Buenos Aires. To start with, there are four motorways available, namely, Autopista Buenos Aires - La Plata, Autopista Ricchieri, Acceso Oeste (West Access) and Acceso Norte (North Access). These motorways, unlike other access routes, provide fast access to the city centre. Moreover, it is possible to enter the city through bridges and avenues as well.

The bus is the most popular means of transport. More than 135 bus lines operate in Buenos Aires linking different areas of the city. There are bus services to bordering districts as well. Another hugely popular means of transport is the railway system, which also provides access to various parts of the city. What is more, connections can be made between the train and the subway allowing an easier communication between the city and its surroundings. Also, people in Buenos Aires use trains as a quick means of transport within the city.

Climate

Although rain can be expected at any time of the year and grey days are usual mostly in winter, it is in summer when it rains most. During this season storms are more severe and rains are heavy but do not last long. On the other hand, gentle persistent rains are a distinctive feature of the weather in winter. Generally, summers are warm and the average temperature in Juanuary is 24,5ºC. Winters are mild and the average temperature during July is 11ºC. Temperatures hardly fall lower than 0ºC or increase more than 36ºC. Fogs have become unusual.

History

The city of Buenos Aires was first established as Nuestra Señora del Buen Ayre on February 3, 1536 by a Spanish expedition led by Pedro de Mendoza. Attacks by the native people forced the settlers away, and in 1541 the site was abandoned. On the 11th June 1580 Juan de Garay founded a second settlement. This time the official name given to the new city was Ciudad de La Santísima Trinidad y Puerto de Santa María del Buen Ayre.

It was not until 1776 that development began to take place in Buenos Aires, when the city became the capital of the River Plate Viceroyalty. Trade was the main activity in the area and it greatly benefited the city, specially smuggling. As liberalism arrive at the area and Napoleon’s army began occupation, liberation movements began to develop and consequently the Revolucion de Mayo (Revolution of May) broke out and the first local government was set up.