ARGENTINA AND BUENOS AIRES

The name ARGENTINA, comes from the latin "argentum" which means silver. The origin goes back to the voyages made by the first Spanish Conquistadores to the Rio de la Plata (River of Silver). The shipwrecked survivors of the expedition mounted by Juan Diaz de Solis discovered Indians in the region who presented them with silver objects. The news about the legendary Sierra del Plata, a mountain rich in silver, reached Spain around 1524. From this date the Portuguese named the river, the Silver River. Since 1860 the official name of the country has been Republica Argentina.

The fundamental characteristic of Argentina is the enormous contrast between the immense eastern plains and the imposing mountain range of the Andes, to the west. This is the frontier with Chile (well worth a visit too) and has the highest peak in the whole of South America, the Aconcagua, 6959 metres high.

The current population of Argentina is about 37 million, half of which live in the capital, BUENOS AIRES. 95% of Argentines are white and principally descendants of Italians and Spaniards. Spanish is the official language. Complete religious freedom exists in Argentina. The official religion however, is Roman Catholic. The official Argentine currency is the Peso.

I would like to tell you about all six regions of Argentina, but let me begin with MY BELOVED BUENOS AIRES. Buenos Aires is a great metropolis with eleven million inhabitants in the city and another six million in the Greater Buenos Aires area (its suburbs). It is the most elegant and busy city in South America. Whilst of modern construction and dynamic activity, it has managed to preserve old traditions and charming corners. Buenos Aires, close to the splendid countryside surrounding it, is the great cosmopolitan doorway to South America.

Sixty-four years after receiving its independence from Spain, the first mayor of the City of Buenos Aires Mr.Torcuato de Alvear, declared his determination to convert the then Great Village into a modern and flourishing metropolis. Alvear like those who accompanied him, had his eyes set on Europe, especially Paris. Consequently, they commissioned French City planners and architects to lay out the new Capital. Thus a frenchification developed in the prosperous export and agricultural society, which was reflected in their fine taste and in the art. Thus, Buenos Aires was embellished by splendid palaces, parks, fountains, sculptures, avenues and monuments. It is a prime example of why the locals proudly call Buenos Aires the "Paris of the Southern Hemisphere." If you didn't know better you might think you were in Budapest, Prague, Madrid or Rome, because the architecture in many of the city's 47 neighbourhoods is so reminiscent of those European capitals.

I recommend that if you have never been to Buenos Aires, take the 3 hour -morning-city tour. It covers all the important monuments of the city, and by l p.m. you can be dropped off at the Recoleta Cemetery (not because you haven't survived the tour hopefully) and have yourself a fantastic lunch in one of the many beautiful sidewalk restaurants, under a two hundred year old rubber tree (gomero). After lunch you can visit this famous cemetery, also called the City of the Dead, complete with its own well-laid-out avenues. Its elaborate mausoleums contain presidents, authors, army generals, and aristocrats who could afford this last abode. (Evita Peron is buried here). The Recoleta neighbourhood is the most elegant of Buenos Aires, beautiful old apartment buildings, plazas, museums and cultural centers as well as the finest designer boutiques, are to be found here. So this would be the place for walking. Buenos Aires has important museums and numerous cultural centres and art galleries. THE TANGO, started at the end of the 19th century (1890s) from a mixture of several rhythms which were brought over by the immigrants and were danced in the street, by men of the poor quarters of the port of Buenos Aires (La Boca). Mr. Tango is one of the better shows you can take in, offering a good dinner as well. The old docks of the port of Buenos Aires have been refurbished and today are the site of the finest restaurants in the city. Las Lilas is our favourite for a good "meat" meal with salads and wonderful red wines. Shopping Centres are great, Galerias Pacifico is my favourite, on Calle Florida. The building is more than 100 years old. It was built by the British Pacific Railroad, and you can look up at the ceilings and find the beautiful original frescos painted by famous argentine painters. Patio Bullrich is a beautiful shopping centre as well. The building was owned by the cattle ranchers and was where they held their cattle auctions'; the structure is beautiful.

Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays you can join a Gaucho Party at a real "estancia" ranch, where you can enjoy a great barbecue, horse rides, and music. If you choose this plan for Sunday, the tour includes a stop at the San Telmo flea market. SAN TELMO is the oldest part of the city, renovated colonial houses where artisans and artists live, were the homes of the rich in the earliest days of Buenos Aires. For music lovers, don't miss the COLON, theatre, among the most famous in the world and has a magnificent program of Opera and Ballet. According to Pavarotti, it has ACUSTICA PERFECTA.

For consular information, contact the Curitiba Consulate 222-9589/0799. For tips on hotels and what to pack and what to buy and where to buy it ...you can call me. I know you will have a fun weekend. I will be looking forward to writing about the other five regions. Chau....buen viaje!!!
 

Article written by : Margaret Taylor

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