History

The process that led to the foundation of the city of La Plata (Silver) was started in 1880 with the sanction of the law that established Buenos Aires City, until then capital of the Province of Buenos Aires, as Federal Capital of the Argentina Republic. The cession of the harbor-city to the nation produced confrontations between provincial and national authorities that included blood shed. This accelerated the transferal of the provincial government. A commission was created to study possible locations for the new capital.  None was satisfying. Then the idea of founding a new city came up. Dardo Rocha, Governor of Buenos Aires since 1881, carried out the mission. The Municipality of Ensenada was chosen for its port, its location near Buenos Aires and the favorable topographic and climatic conditions. The layout of the city was commissioned to the Engineering Department. The 6th of May of 1881 a decree announced an international contest for the design of the four main buildings: House of Government, Legislature, City Hall and Cathedral.
The name of the new city was suggested by José Hernández, author of the book Martín Fierro. He backed his suggestion with the fact that the region had been called Virreynato del Río de la Plata (Viceroyalty of the River Plate (Silver)) and Provincias Unidas del Río de la Plata (United Provinces of the River Plate (Silver)).
Five years later the new provincial capital was compared to Washington, a capital created by a careful political decision. La Plata was the best example of Argentine creativity. It was modern in its urban conception and was free of the heavy Spanish tradition that burdened other cities.

Geography

Location

La Plata lies 56 kilometers (35 miles) southeast of Buenos Aires, the Federal Capital.

How to get there

By plane

The closest airports are Buenos Aires’ airports: Ezeiza Airport and Aeroparque Jorge Newbery. Most of the international flights arrive in Ezeiza but flights from neighboring countries arrive in either airport. From both airports you can take buses, mini buses or taxis to the capital of the province of Buenos Aires, La Plata.

By car

To get to La Plata from Buenos Aires you should take Autopista (Highway) La Plata-Buenos Aires.

By bus

Bus services from different destinations in the country arrive in and depart from La Plata bus terminal.

By train

Trains depart every 20 minutes from Plaza Constitución Train Station (at Buenos Aires) during week days. On weekends the frequency is every half an hour.

Population: 574.369 inhabitants.

Average temperature: 26,3°C (79,3°F).

Green areas

With 12 square meters (129 square feet) of green area per inhabitant La Plata reaches the highest environmental quality standards. Some of the trees that flank its streets are: sycamores, linden, ash trees, maples, palos borrachos, orange trees, soforas and palm trees.