Buenos Aires, which translates to “fair winds,” is the capital of Argentina. The city is located on the western shore of the Río de la Plata estuary, opposite Uruguay, and is Argentina’s political, cultural, and economic center.
The name is linked to the Spanish expression Santa María del Buen Aire, meaning “Saint Mary of the Good Air.” That name was associated with a Marian shrine in Cagliari, Sardinia, and was adopted by Spanish sailors. In 1536, explorer Pedro de Mendoza gave his settlement the name Nuestra Señora del Buen Ayre; the modern city was permanently re-established in 1580 by Juan de Garay.
Buenos Aires is sometimes called the “Paris of South America” because of its grand boulevards, European-influenced architecture, cafés, theaters, and strong literary and artistic traditions. It is also the birthplace of many influential tango traditions. A common mix-up is confusing the city with the province of Buenos Aires: the city is an autonomous federal district and the national capital, while the much larger province surrounds it.