Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina is the location for the thirteenth World congress of our Association.

The country itself stretches from the Tropic of Capricorn to Tierra del Fuego, at the bottom of the world, and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Andes Mountains, the backbone of South America. Its regions are extensive and different, including high plateaus, enormous mountains, huge lakes and glaciers, cold weather woods and subtropical jungles, natural grasslands, steppes and deserts, and endless beaches and cliff coasts.

At the heart of all this is Buenos Aires, one of the most stimulating, exciting and greatest capitals of the world, known as “the Paris of South America”. It is located on the southern banks of the River Plate and its name, translated into English means “Fair winds”, presumably referring to the fresh air and clean winds coming into the city from the Southern Atlantic ocean.

The city first established by a Spanish expedition in 1536 but it was not until 1580 that a permanent establishment was set up. It was governed by Spain until 1810 when its citizens ousted the Spanish and established their own government.

The second half of the 19th century saw a large industrial development including massive railway construction linking the city to the rest of the country, and as a result of these events, the city became extensively multicultural with incoming workers.

It was in this period that the city’s main avenues were built strongly reflecting European culture and architecture of that era. At the turn of that century the first subway in South America was built, and in the 1920’s the city experienced large immigration from Europe, mostly from Italy. Its politics throughout recent times has veered from democracy to military rule and back again to democracy.

A true international location for our Congress to be held and the first time ever that it is being held in the continent of South America…….. two excellent reasons to join in the meeting.

A website which will provide you information on the city can be accessed at www.bue.gov.ar