Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina as well as its financial, industrial, commercial, and cultural center . The city proper has a population of 3 million, while the metropolitan area has more than 12 million. Buenos Aires has one of the busiest ports in the world and is connected by river to most of Argentina as well as Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay. The city was founded by Spanish goldseekers in the 16th Century and from its inception it has depended on trade with the outside world.
The population consists mainly of Argentinians of Spanish and Italian descent, although there are sizable communities of people with Arab, Jewish, Armenian, and Korean origins. The ethnic composition of Argentina is 97% white and 3% mestizo (mixed) or Amerindian. Spanish is the main language and the inhabitants of Buenos Aires are referred to as porteños – people of the port.
In recent years Buenos Aires has not been affected by the forces of globalization to the same extent as other large cities and the recent economic collapse has seen an outward flow of people seeking a better life in Brazil, North America, Australia and Europe. The financial crisis has, however, seen a boom in tourism, as a prevıously expensive destination has become affordable for many Europeans and Americans.
Retiro Station is one of Buenos Aires’ main transport hubs with buses and trains coming in from all parts of the city and from the provinces as well. With the help of two friends and three young women, who we talked into helping out, and despite a run-in with the local police who were probably fishing for a bribe, we quickly managed to get one hundred photos. Almost all the people were locals with the occasional Australasian or Brazilian tourist thrown in for good measure. The composite faces are quite striking – the male very strong, almost arrogant and the female slightly smiling and quietly confident.
Photographer: Mike Mike; Assistants: Javier Uy, Alejandro, Rosa, Carmen, Ana
|
