Buenos Aires lies on the southeastern corner of the plain stretching between the Rio Reconquista to the west and the Rio Riachuelo (Matanza) to the southeast. Except for the vast estuary on its eastern side, the federal district is surrounded by Buenos Aires province. Gran (Greater) Buenos Aires is composed of the federal district and 22 adjacent municipalities. The temperate climate of the Pampas (the extensive Argentinian plain), characteristic of the Rio de la Plata's coastal area, is marked by a long summer, abrupt daily changes in temperature, and high humidity.

A preponderance of Argentinian industry is located in Buenos Aires proper. Main industries include food processing (meat, fish, and grain), metalworking, automobile assembly, oil refining, printing, and the manufacture of textiles, paper, and chemicals. Service industries are important in suburban areas. The national banking system is controlled by the Banco Central de la Republica Argentina; private and foreign banks, credit institutions, and a stock market are also located there. The port of Buenos Aires handles more than one-third of the country's shipping.

Most of the more than 50 barrios (neighbourhoods) in the city were founded in the 19th century; the more important include San Telmo, in the centro (city centre); the waterfront La Boca, now primarily Italian; and Flores. The centro coincides with the original settlement. Part of the centro is known as the capital zone because it contains the principal government buildings and the larger commercial concerns. The urban core is to be found at the convergence of major avenues on a wide green composed of the Plaza de Mayo and the Parque Colon.

Buildings of the 20th century are interspersed with earlier structures; some 17th and 18th century examples survive from the Spanish viceregal period. Many luxurious palaces dating from the late 19th or early 20th centuries have been converted for public and private use.

The University of Buenos Aires (1821) is the principal university among the more than 40 in the city. Other educational institutions include the Universidad Tecnologica Nacional (1959), the Universidad Catolica Argentina (1912), and the Universidad del Salvador (1959). Public and institutional libraries include the National Library and that of the National Congress. The city's numerous museums house varied collections of scientific artifacts, fine arts, antiques, and historical memorabilia.

The transportation system includes colectivos (microbuses) and taxis. Five expressways radiate from the centro and connect with the encircling General Paz Expressway. The city has five interconnected subway lines, as well as two electrically powered interurban lines running to the towns of Tigre and Moreno, and it is the terminus of the major railways in Argentina. The two international airports of Ezeiza and Don Torcuato are located outside the city limits, in Matanza and Tigre, respectively; the Buenos Aires City Airport also serves flights from neighbouring countries. The port, one of the world's largest, stretches for 8 km (5 mi) and has an entirely man-made harbour at the west end of an estuary about 280 km (175 mi) long that requires constant dredging.

Entertainment

The dining options in Buenos Aires are endless. This is a city that takes dining seriously, and meals can easily last a few hours. Like the national norm, nobody here really starts eating until 9pm. Main courses usually consist of an asado, a barbecue of excellent quality beef. Beef is dominant, and it also comes in the forms of bife de chorizo (sirloin steak) or empanadas (meat pies). The local wine is also good, especially the reds. You also might want to try mate, the traditional gaucho drink. The national deserts are dulce de leche, a milk jelly, and alfajores - Argentine sweets made from dulce de leche.

Buenos Aires is never more alive than it is at night. It is what you'd expect from a city that invented tango. Avenues come alive with people on their way to restaurants and theaters, especially Puerto Madero or Recoleta. People like to dress up and stay out until dawn, and anyone who visits the city should go and see a tango show. There are several major venues, most of them in San Telmo. After dinner or a night of dancing, Portenos like to grab a coffee at one of the city's myriad cafes, chat, and perhaps watch the sunrise.