Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires ("Good Airs" in Spanish, originally meaning "Fair Winds") is the capital of Argentina and its largest city and port, as well as one of the largest cities in South America. Buenos Aires is located on the southern shore of the River Plate, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent, opposite Montevideo, Uruguay. Buenos Aires is located at {{coor dm|34|40|S|58|24|W|}} (-34.667, -58.40).

Political status

Buenos Aires was the capital of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata.

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After independence, Buenos Aires was the natural choice for capital of the republic. Due to political turmoil, Paraná held that status between 1853 and 1860, and Belgrano served as provisional capital during a brief period in 1879.

Related Topics:
Capital - Paraná - 1853 - 1860 - Belgrano - 1879

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Since 1880, Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina and the seat of the federal government; the city of La Plata was established as provincial capital. Federalization helped reduce tensions between the President and the provincial Governor.

Related Topics:
1880 - Federal government - La Plata - President - Governor

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Under the original federalization scheme, the mayor was appointed directly by the President of the Republic. The 1994 constitution granted the city autonomous status, and citizens now elect both the city legislature and the mayor in direct elections. The federal government still controls the metropolitan police.

Related Topics:
1994 - Constitution - Autonomous - Police

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The first autonomous mayor, Fernando de la Rúa was elected in 1996; he would become President of Argentina in 1999, only to give up his office in 2001. The current mayor is Aníbal Ibarra. As of August 2005, he is facing impeachment due to the tragedy of the República Cromagnon concert hall, which was licensed for business even though it violated fire safety rules, and where 196 people lost their lives in a fire in December 2004.

Related Topics:
Fernando de la Rúa - 1996 - 1999 - 2001 - Aníbal Ibarra - 2005 - Impeachment - República Cromagnon - 2004

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