Perspectives of Primacy in the Southern Cone 2006 SWAAG Meeting Norman, Oklahoma October 27, 2006 Presented By: Bryant Evans Houston Community College With special thanks to the Fulbright Commission
Perspectives of Primacy in the Southern Cone I. Urban primacy in Argentina and Uruguay today II. How and why Buenos Aires and Montevideo historically developed into primate cities III. Representative symbolic landscapes that reinforce primacy in Buenos Aires and Montevideo IV. Perceptions of primate cities within Argentina and Uruguay
Focus Areas Buenos Aires, Argentina Montevideo, Uruguay
Primacy in Argentina and Uruguay Today The Buenos Aires metropolitan area is home to roughly 37.2% of Argentina s urban population and is 8.8 times than the country s second largest city of Cordoba. Montevideo is home to approximately 42.1% of Uruguay s urban population and is 12.8 times larger than the country s second largest city of Salto.
How and why did Buenos Aires become a primate city? 1) Advantageous location 2) Political Developments A) Establishment of city as capital of the Viceroyalty of the Rio de la Plata in 1776 B) Buenos Aires newly defined political role in 1880 3) Transportation and economic developments in late 19 th century A) Central role and position in Argentina s railroad development B) Impact of Argentina s explosive agricultural export economy growth C) Port development and improvement over time 4) Industrial and commercial growth throughout the 20 th century Map of Buenos Aires Circa 1620 Source: J.M. Olivero Modern Argentina Domestic Flight Map Source: Aerolineas Argentinas
Symbolic Landscapes and Features in Buenos Aires that reinforce primacy Plaza de Mayo, with the Piramide de Mayo and Casa Rosada in the background Another view of the Casa Rosada Old Cabildo (on right) Source of photos: Bryant Evans July 2006 Fulbright Hays Travel Seminar
Symbolic Landscapes of Buenos Aires cont. Catedral Metropolitana in Plaza de Mayo The San Martin flame outside the Catedral Metroplitana Remains of the Argentine hero Jose de San Martin Source of photos: Bryant Evans July 2006 Fulbright Hays Travel Seminar
Symbolic Landscapes of Buenos Aires cont. Ship arriving into Buenos Aires port Part of today s Buenos Aires port from the air Today the port area, Puerto Madero, is a vibrant center of activity Source of photos: Bryant Evans July 2006 Fulbright Hays Travel Seminar
Symbolic Landscapes of Buenos Aires cont. National Congress Teatro Colon Tango in La Boca Estadio Alberto J. Armando Source of photos: Bryant Evans July 2006 Fulbright Hays Travel Seminar
Argentine Perceptions and Perspectives From within Buenos Aires Feelings of pride, worldliness, deep rooted sense of attachment, and nostalgia. We love our city very much. Even when it is chaos to live here, we like it. It s some sort of contradiction we complain about the traffic, the lifestyle in the big city, the pollution, etc., etc. At the same time I guess we feel proud of such an incredible city at the end of the world. Interview with a citizen of Buenos Aires, July 2006. From other areas of Argentina Mixed feelings; proud in many ways of what Buenos Aires represents, but can do without the porteno attitude. Portenos have a feeling that they are Argentina. They are not always aware of the diversity of cities, cultures, and landscapes throughout Argentina. Interview with a citizen of Mendoza, July 2006.
How and why did Montevideo become a primate city? 1) Advantageous location protected harbor and hills for development of defense 2) The best natural port in the Rio de la Plata region 3) Surpassed Colonia as the key city in the Banda Oriental in late 18 th century 4) Growing role as political and commercial center throughout 19 th and 20 th centuries; inertia Old Map of Montevideo circa 1783 Source: J.M. Olivero Modern Political Map of Uruguay Source: J.M. Olivero
Symbolic Landscapes and Features in Montevideo that reinforce primacy La Rambla Cerro and fort View of the port from the Cerro Source of photos: Bryant Evans July 2006 Fulbright Hays Travel Seminar
Symbolic Landscapes of Montevideo cont. Another view of the Old Cabildo in background on left Plaza Constitucion with the Old Cabildo City Cathedral Source of photos: Bryant Evans July 2006 Fulbright Hays Travel Seminar
Symbolic Landscapes of Montevideo cont. Plaza de la Independencia Artigas Monument Old Citadel Gate Artigas Mausoleum Source of photos: Bryant Evans July 2006 Fulbright Hays Travel Seminar
Symbolic Landscapes of Montevideo cont. Teatro Solis Legislative Palace Source of photos: Bryant Evans July 2006 Fulbright Hays Travel Seminar
Uruguayan Perceptions and Perspectives From within Montevideo Feelings of pride; sense of history and sentimentality; as representative of the country and as a portal between Uruguay and the outside world. Montevideo constitutes a metaphorical element of Uruguay. Interview with a citizen of Montevideo, July 2006. From other areas of Uruguay Montevideo is seen as the big city ; one of opportunities but also one of risks; a city that is sometimes more concerned with international connections rather than domestic ones. People from Montevideo think they are the head of our body, and that the rest of the country are gauchos. Interview with a citizen from Salto (studying in Montevideo), July 2006.
In Closing: Two Expressions that reflect primacy in the Southern Cone From Argentina From Uruguay God is everywhere, but his office is in Buenos Aires. Montevideo has a backyard and it is Uruguay.