Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Francisco de Aguirre establishes Santiago del Estero, furthering Spain's expansion into present-
day Argentina from Alto Perú. Today the city is the country's oldest permanent settlement.
1561
The city of Mendoza is founded by Spaniards during their push to establish access to the Río de
la Plata, where Spanish ships could deliver more troops and supplies.
1565
Diego de Villarroel founds Argentina's third-oldest city, San Miguel de Tucumán (referred to
today simply as Tucumán). The city was relocated further east 120 years later.
1573
The city of Córdoba is founded by Tucumán Governor Jerónimo Luis de Cabrera, establishing an
important link on the trade routes between Chile and Alto Perú.
1580
Buenos Aires is re-established by Spanish forces, but the city remains a backwater for years, in
comparison with the growing strongholds of Mendoza, Tucumán and Santiago del Estero.
1609
Jesuits begin building missions in Northeast Argentina, including San Ignacio Miní (1610),
Loreto (1632) and Santa Ana (1633), concentrating the indigenous Guaraní into settlements
known as reducciones.
1767
The Spanish Crown expels the Jesuits from all of New Spain, and the mission communities de-
cline rapidly.
1776
Spain makes Buenos Aires capital of the new viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata. The territory in-
cludes the areas of present-day Paraguay, Uruguay and the mines at Potosí (Bolivia).
1806-07
Attempting to seize control of Spanish colonies, British forces raid Buenos Aires in 1806 and in
1807. Buenos Aires militias defeat British troops without Spain's help, which kindles ideas of in-
dependence.
1810
