San Isidro, Buenos Aires

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San Isidro

San Isidro Flag

Coat of arms

San Isidro

Location in Greater Buenos Aires

Coordinates: 34°28′S 58°31′W / -34.467, -58.517

Country

Elevation

15 m (49 ft)

Population (2001 census [INDEC])

- Total

45,190

CPA Base

B 1642

Area code(s)

+54 11

San Isidro, Buenos Aires is a city of Greater Buenos Aires, one of the wealthiest regions of Argentina. It is located in San Isidro Partido in the Buenos Aires Province.

The centre of San Isidro is a historic area with cobbled streets and old single-storey houses. At its heart is Plaza Mitre, with the neo-gothic San Isidro cathedral of 1898 rising above. The sloping plaza, also home to the recently-opened Rugby Museum, hosts an antiques and crafts fair. The plaza leads down to the Río de la Plata, where the riverside park is popular with mate drinkers. The city is called the "National Capital of Rugby" in Argentina, due to being cradle of many important players and hosting the national's rugby union derby match between CASI and SIC. San Isidro is served by the Tren de la Costa. The station is surrounded by a smart shopping centre. Many large houses surround the historic centre and line the riverside. The oldest is the House of General Pueyrredón, built in 1790 by Juan Martín de Pueyrredón and expanded by his son Prilidiano Pueyrredón. The house, with its old giant algarrobo tree underwhich Pueyrredón and San Martín discussed independence, is a national historic monument and hosts the municipal historic museum of San Isidro. The home of writer Victoria Ocampo, the Villa Ocampo, is owned by Unesco and is also open to the public.

San Isidro Cathedral.

The San Isidro Hippodrome is one of Argentina's most important racecourses and covers a large part of the area inland from the city. Built in striking 1930s architectural style, the racecourse has faced tough times since the economic crises of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

In 2007 San Isidro celebrated its 300 years of existence with many different celebrations taking place in the hippodrome and other different places.