The capital of Argentina is Buenos Aires and it is its largest city and port. It is on the southern shore of the River Plate, on the south eastern coast of the South American continent. The people of Buenos Aires are known as Portenos there possess an elaborate and rich cultural identity. They value their European heritage and the life style and architecture are markedly more European than any other in South America.
Buenos Aires physical structure is a mosaic as diverse and varied as its culture. The city has, no natural monolith no dominating monument that serves as its focal point.
The locals are renowned for their cockiness and flair, even in times of adversity. It is a city of elation, tragedy, a vibrant, cosmopolitan capital.
In Buenos Aires people are used to eating dinner late, around 10pm, in public places and at homes. The Argentine people drink mate it is a traditional drink very similar to the taste of tea. There are restaurants called Parrilladas that strictly serve barbecued chicken and meat. Some of them are called Tenedor Libre and they are places which All You Can Eat for a fixed price.
The city's most famous pedestrian street and an important commercial area is Florida Street where shoes, leather clothing, record stores are sold and numerous news stands. Restaurants and cafes light the street day and night depending on the time of the day there can be street artists entertaining tourists with their tango dancing.
One of the recommend elegant shopping centres in the country, where a dome painted by prestigious artist Castagnino, decorates its hall is the Galerias Pacifico.
Along side the river is one of the world's finest opera houses, the Teatro Colon. Portenos are intensely involved in the life and culture of their city,
The people hear love to party. Many do not think twice about dancing until 6 am and heading straight to work. Alcohol does not play a vital role in whether people enjoy themselves or not, portenos could have fun at an insurance convention. Being stylish is just one factor for a successful night out. Clubs, which attract crowds in the 18 to35 age range, do not fill up until 2 or 3 am. Theatre performances start at 9pm or 9:30 pm, and the last movie begins after midnight.
La Boca, known as the birthplace of the tango, was one time a shipyard has a famous walkway, called the Caminito, where artists exhibit their work and tango dancers perform.
