Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina and its largest city and port. It is located on the southern shore of the Rio de la Plata also known as the River Plate, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent. Powerfully influenced by European traditions, Buenos Aires is sometimes referred to as the "Paris of South America". After the internal conflicts of the 19th century, Buenos Aires was federalized and removed from Buenos Aires Province in 1880; its city limits were enlarged to include the former towns of Belgrano and Flores; both are now neighborhoods in the city.

The city name was chosen by the chaplain of Mendoza's expedition (see History, below), who was a devout follower of the Virgin de Bonaire ("Our Lady of the Fair Winds") of Cagliari, Sardinia.Argentines sometim1">3