Bolivian Argentine

Bolivian Argentines
Total population
c. 3,000,000
Regions with significant populations
Throughout Argentina with a significant presence in Buenos Aires and the Argentine Northwest region
Languages
Spanish · Aymara · Quechua · Guarani
Religion
Christianity · Irreligion

A Bolivian Argentine (Quechua: Buliwyanu Arhintinapi, Spanish: boliviano-argentino) is an Argentine citizen of Bolivian descent or a Bolivia-born person who resides in Argentina. In recent decades, Bolivia has become one of the main sources of immigration in Argentina, making Bolivians one of the largest Hispanic American immigrant groups in Argentina, along with Paraguayans and Peruvians.

In Argentina, at the beginning of the 21st century, lies the world's largest Bolivian community outside Bolivia. The 2001 census recorded 1,233,464 legal Bolivians residing in Argentina, in equal parts for women and men. This is due in large part to economic abundance, and favorable opportunities which immigrants have in Argentina, as well as the healthcare and quality of life.

Bolivian immigrants in Argentina found a place to work, progress, and improve their quality of life. Thousands of Bolivians have joined the Argentina everyday life, contributing in areas as diverse as construction, education, health, sport and music areas. Also, Bolivian cuisine elements have become more popular in some areas where Bolivian community is large.

The Permanent Assembly for Human Rights of Bolivia considers that there are over 3 million Bolivian citizens living in different foreign countries.[1] Of these, migration to Argentina accounts for 73% of the total, being the largest Bolivian diaspora group abroad.[2] Today, it is estimated that more than 3.5 million Bolivians reside in Argentina, 9.5% of Argentina's total population.[3]

Most Bolivians reside in Greater Buenos Aires, especially in La Matanza, Morón, Tres de Febrero and Escobar Partidos. Within the City of Buenos Aires, they reside mainly in the neighbourhoods of Flores, Villa Soldati, Villa Lugano, Liniers and Nueva Pompeya.[4] There are also important Bolivian communities in the provinces of Salta, Jujuy and Tucumán. Moreover, about 50,000 Bolivians reside in the provinces of Neuquén and Río Negro in the Patagonia Region.[5]

History

Bolivian immigration to Argentina has been constant since colonial times. Both countries were under Spanish rule as part of the Viceroyalty of Peru and then the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata until the Spanish American wars of independence.

During colonial times, much of Argentine territory was a link between Buenos Aires and Upper Peru (present-day Bolivia).

20th century

Most horticultural production in lower Chubut River Valley is made by Bolivian immigrants who settled in the valley a few decades ago.[6]

In the early 20th century, Bolivian immigration to Argentina was heading Argentine north to work in the harvest season of sugarcane and snuff. From the '50s it was constituted a significant part of the market related to the tomato, peppers and bananas, among others, in northern Argentina. During the 1960s and 1970s they were present at harvest and other crops in the west of the country and began to maintain a permanent presence in the city of Buenos Aires standing out in the horticultural work. Since then, Bolivians are found throughout the country.[7]

The first migration wave of the modern era was held in 1940 after the ease of entry that gave the Argentine government engaged in sugar crops of Salta and Jujuy, in the 1960s they moved to the province of Mendoza for collecting the fruit and vegetables, or for collecting snuff leaves. After that, many moved to Buenos Aires to work as laborers, masons, and so many other jobs.[4] Some also moved to southern lands as Comodoro Rivadavia, and north of the province of Chubut because of the oil "boom".

21st century

During the beginning of the century, migration flows have not ceased.

Notable Bolivian Argentinians

See also

References

  1. ↑ Asamblea Permanente de Derechos Humanos de Bolivia. "Análisis de situación de los derechos humanos en Bolivia en 2005" (in Spanish).
  2. ↑ Blanco sobre negro (2º Parte): La discriminación cotidiana y las políticas xenófobas. por Daniela Pierotti, El Mango del Hacha. Nº 74 - Jueves 20 de abril de 2006.
  3. ↑ Cónsul Boliviano con los días contados por Raúl Kollman, Página 12, 9 de abril de 2006.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Clarín. "Bolivianos en Argentina" (in Spanish).
  5. ↑ 03 09 socd5.php
  6. ↑ Trabajadores bolivianos en el valle del Chubut Estudio Univ. Barcelona
  7. ↑ Trabajadores Migrantes Bolivianos en la Horticultura Argentina: Transformación del Paisaje Rural en el Valle Inferior del Río Chubut. por Judith Corinne Hughes y Olga Marisa Owen, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco", Sede Trelew.
  8. ↑ http://www.comunidadboliviana.com.ar/shop/detallenot.asp?notid=956

Further reading