Buenos Aires, the Argentinian capital, looks like a lost metropolis of the world on the southen part of the globe. Nevertheless, the history of the capital of the tango is large and full of hope.

Buenos Aires, Argentina feels more like a southern European metropolis than Latin America. However, its size is more like that of São Paulo, New York, Tokyo or Mexico City. The city centre, because of a mass exodus to the suburbs, counts on less than 3 Million inhabitants, while the surrounding area however have over 12 Million people, and rising.

The first settlement of Buenos Aires took place in 1536 by Pedro de Mendoza. However, it was Juan de Garay who, in 1580, established the settlement. Over the course of the centuries, Buenos Aires developed quickly and established itself in the beginning of the 20th century as the biggest metropolis of South America.

Buenos Aires is a political, industrial, and financial centre capital as well as rich in culture. Many of the European immigrants and settlers contributed to this, which is why Buenos Aires appears more like a Southern- or Western European metropolis. Many districts have flairs of London, Paris, Madrid or Rome. And like all other cities of the world, Buenos Aires too must cope with slums, delinquency and pollution.

Arriving from the airport of Ezeiza, one encounters at first sight the high rise buildings surrounded by slums (villas miserias) where the masses of the poor live. The sights change considerably coming closer to the city centre. In districts like La Boca, San Telmo, Palermo and Recoleta, a colourful cultural diversity can be fround. Buenos Aires is still attractive to the newcomers of other continents though finding places to live is tight, there is still space for work, appreciation, and promise of fortune.