Stretching the entire length of Rio de la Plata, is the location of the enchanting port city of Buenos Aires. This city has been the gateway to Argentina for centuries. Spread over an area of 78.5 square miles, Buenos Aires is the biggest and the most populated metropolitan city in the country with a population of more than 13 million people. It is the capital of Argentina and is considered to be the financial, commercial, industrial, cultural and political capital of the country.
The city derived its name from Nostra Signora di Bonaria, a sanctuary located in the Cagliari, Sardinia. In Spanish, this name means fair winds.
Inhabitants of the city are known as Portenos. A majority of population residing in the city has its origins in Spain and Italy. Apart from these, there are also people originating from other European nations including Germany, Portugal, Poland, Ireland, France, Croatia, England and Wales. Other major communities living in the city include Jewish immigrants, Arabs, Armenians, Japanese, Chinese and Koreans. 90 percent of the inhabitants are Roman Catholics. Spanish is the official language in this city.
The city has a highly humid sub-tropical climate. While in summer, temperatures can reach up to 40 ° C, in winters they can go below freezing point. Hence, the best time to visit this part of the Argentina is during spring.
The capital of Argentina is an interesting tourist destination offering several cultural attractions and an ample glimpse of urban cosmopolitan life in Argentia. The biggest attraction in this city is the Teatro Colon, one of the world's greatest opera houses. Other notable features in the city include the University of Buenos Aires, City Hall, building of the Argentine National Congress and several museums.