# La Plata

> capital of the Buenos Aires province, Argentina

**Wikidata**: [Q44059](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q44059)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Plata)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/la-plata

## Summary

La Plata is a city located in Argentina [1]. It was established on November 19, 1882 . The city covers an area of 27 square kilometers [2] and sits at an elevation of 26 meters .As of 2022, the population of La Plata was 220,000 [3]. This figure reflects the number of residents recorded in that specific year.

## Summary
La Plata is the capital city of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, and serves as the administrative center of La Plata Partido. Founded in 1882 as a planned community, it is known for its distinctive urban layout, cultural significance, and role as a major political and educational hub in the region.

## Key Facts
- **Capital Status**: La Plata is the capital of both Buenos Aires Province and La Plata Partido, a first-level and second-level administrative division in Argentina.
- **Founding**: The city was founded on November 19, 1882, by Dardo Rocha, who envisioned it as a modern, planned capital to replace Buenos Aires.
- **Population**: As of 2022, La Plata has a population of 220,184, reflecting steady growth from 186,527 in 2001 and 193,144 in 2010.
- **Geography**: Located at coordinates -34.9333° latitude and -57.95° longitude, the city covers an area of 27 square kilometers and sits at an elevation of 26 meters above sea level.
- **Time Zone**: La Plata operates in the UTC−03:00 time zone.
- **Postal and Dialing Codes**: The city’s postal code is 1900, and its local dialing code is 0221.
- **Historical Name**: From 1952 to 1955, La Plata was temporarily renamed *Eva Perón* in honor of the former First Lady of Argentina.
- **Twin Cities**: La Plata is twinned with multiple international cities, including Asunción (Paraguay), Bologna (Italy), Louisville (USA), Montevideo (Uruguay), and Chengdu (China, since 2018).
- **Cultural and Academic Hub**: The city is home to the National University of La Plata, one of Argentina’s most prestigious universities, and is recognized in numerous encyclopedias and reference works, including *Encyclopædia Britannica* and *Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary*.
- **Unique Identifiers**: La Plata holds multiple identifiers across global databases, including a GND ID (4122697-5), VIAF ID (154769341), and a GeoNames ID (3432043).

## FAQs

**When was La Plata founded, and who founded it?**
La Plata was founded on November 19, 1882, by Dardo Rocha, a prominent Argentine politician and educator. It was designed as a planned city to serve as the new capital of Buenos Aires Province, replacing the previous capital, Buenos Aires City.

**What is the population of La Plata?**
As of the 2022 census, La Plata has a population of 220,184. This marks an increase from 193,144 in 2010 and 186,527 in 2001, reflecting gradual urban growth over the past two decades.

**What is La Plata’s role in Argentina?**
La Plata serves as the capital of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina’s most populous and economically significant province. It is also the administrative center of La Plata Partido, a local municipality, and functions as a key political, educational, and cultural hub.

**Why was La Plata temporarily renamed Eva Perón?**
Between 1952 and 1955, during the presidency of Juan Perón, the city was renamed *Eva Perón* in honor of Eva Perón (Evita), the influential First Lady of Argentina. The name reverted to La Plata after Perón’s government was overthrown in 1955.

**What are some of La Plata’s sister cities?**
La Plata has established twinning agreements with several cities worldwide, including Asunción (Paraguay), Bologna (Italy), Louisville (USA), Montevideo (Uruguay), Porto Alegre (Brazil), and Chengdu (China). These partnerships foster cultural, economic, and academic exchanges.

**What is the significance of La Plata’s urban design?**
La Plata is renowned as a planned community, featuring a distinctive grid layout with diagonal avenues and ample green spaces. Its design reflects 19th-century urban planning ideals, blending functionality with aesthetic appeal.

**Where can I find more information about La Plata’s history?**
La Plata is documented in numerous historical and encyclopedic sources, including *Encyclopædia Britannica* (11th edition), *The Nuttall Encyclopædia*, *Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary*, and the *Great Soviet Encyclopedia*. These references provide detailed accounts of its founding, development, and cultural impact.

## Why It Matters
La Plata plays a critical role in Argentina’s political and educational landscape as the capital of Buenos Aires Province, the nation’s most populous and economically vital region. Its establishment in 1882 as a planned city marked a significant shift in urban development, showcasing innovative design principles that influenced later Argentine cities. As a cultural and academic center, La Plata hosts the National University of La Plata, a leading institution in research and higher education, further cementing its importance in shaping Argentina’s intellectual and scientific progress. Additionally, its historical ties to figures like Eva Perón and its international sister city relationships highlight its enduring relevance in both national and global contexts.

## Notable For
- **Planned City Design**: La Plata is one of Argentina’s most notable examples of a planned urban center, featuring a geometric street layout and architectural coherence.
- **Capital of Buenos Aires Province**: As the administrative heart of Argentina’s largest province, it serves as a key political and governmental hub.
- **Educational Excellence**: Home to the National University of La Plata, one of the country’s top universities, attracting students and researchers nationwide.
- **Historical Renaming**: The city’s temporary renaming to *Eva Perón* (1952–1955) reflects its connection to one of Argentina’s most iconic political figures.
- **International Sister Cities**: La Plata’s twinning agreements with cities like Bologna, Montevideo, and Chengdu underscore its global cultural and diplomatic engagement.
- **Cultural Recognition**: The city is referenced in major encyclopedias and historical works, including *Encyclopædia Britannica* and *Brockhaus and Efron*, highlighting its enduring significance.
- **Population Growth**: Consistent population increases over the past two decades demonstrate its role as a growing urban center in Argentina.

## Body

### **History and Founding**
La Plata was founded on **November 19, 1882**, by **Dardo Rocha**, a prominent Argentine statesman and educator. The city was conceived as a modern, planned capital to replace Buenos Aires as the administrative center of Buenos Aires Province. Its establishment followed a period of political and territorial reorganization in Argentina, reflecting the nation’s ambition to create a well-structured urban hub. The city’s original name, *La Plata*, was temporarily changed to *Eva Perón* between **1952 and 1955** in honor of Eva Perón, the influential First Lady of Argentina, before reverting to its current name after the fall of Juan Perón’s government.

### **Geography and Urban Design**
La Plata is situated at **coordinates -34.9333° latitude and -57.95° longitude**, covering an **area of 27 square kilometers**. The city lies at an **elevation of 26 meters above sea level** and operates in the **UTC−03:00 time zone**. Its urban layout is a hallmark of 19th-century planned communities, featuring a **grid system with diagonal avenues** and expansive public spaces. This design was intended to optimize both functionality and aesthetic appeal, setting a precedent for later urban development in Argentina.

### **Demographics**
La Plata’s population has grown steadily over the past two decades:
- **2001 Census**: 186,527 inhabitants
- **2010 Census**: 193,144 inhabitants
- **2022 Census**: 220,184 inhabitants (preferred figure)

The city’s demographic trends reflect its role as a growing urban center within Buenos Aires Province, attracting residents due to its economic opportunities, educational institutions, and cultural amenities.

### **Governance and Administrative Role**
As the **capital of Buenos Aires Province**, La Plata serves as the primary seat of provincial government, housing key administrative offices, legislative bodies, and judicial institutions. Additionally, it functions as the capital of **La Plata Partido**, a local municipality within the province. This dual role underscores its importance in both regional and local governance structures.

### **Educational and Cultural Significance**
La Plata is home to the **National University of La Plata (UNLP)**, one of Argentina’s most prestigious higher education institutions. Founded in 1905, UNLP is renowned for its research output, academic excellence, and contributions to science, humanities, and the arts. The city’s cultural landscape is further enriched by its inclusion in major reference works, such as:
- *Encyclopædia Britannica* (11th edition)
- *The Nuttall Encyclopædia*
- *Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary*
- *Great Soviet Encyclopedia*

These references highlight La Plata’s historical and cultural relevance in both Argentine and global contexts.

### **International Relations**
La Plata maintains **sister city relationships** with numerous international municipalities, fostering cultural, economic, and academic exchanges. Notable twin cities include:
- **Asunción, Paraguay**
- **Bologna, Italy**
- **Louisville, USA**
- **Montevideo, Uruguay**
- **Porto Alegre, Brazil**
- **Chengdu, China** (established January 31, 2018)

These partnerships enhance La Plata’s global profile and facilitate collaborative initiatives in education, tourism, and urban development.

### **Identifiers and Digital Presence**
La Plata is represented across multiple global databases and digital platforms, including:
- **GND ID**: 4122697-5
- **VIAF ID**: 154769341
- **GeoNames ID**: 3432043
- **Wikidata ID**: Q44207
- **OpenStreetMap Relation ID**: 3266014
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n80097345

These identifiers ensure the city’s visibility in academic, geographic, and bibliographic systems worldwide.

### **Infrastructure and Connectivity**
La Plata’s infrastructure includes a **postal code (1900)** and a **local dialing code (0221)**, facilitating communication and logistics within the city. Its **UN/LOCODE** is **ARLPG**, used for international trade and shipping purposes. The city’s **elevation and coordinates** are critical for geographic and navigational applications, while its **time zone (UTC−03:00)** aligns with Argentina’s standard time.

### **Historical and Encyclopedic References**
La Plata’s significance is documented in numerous historical and encyclopedic sources, including:
- *Otto’s Encyclopedia*
- *Meyers Konversations-Lexikon* (4th edition, 1885–1890)
- *Encyclopædia Britannica* (11th edition)
- *The New Student’s Reference Work*
- *Great Soviet Encyclopedia* (1926–1947)

These works provide detailed accounts of the city’s founding, development, and cultural impact, reinforcing its status as a historically significant urban center.

### **Notable Features and Landmarks**
While specific landmarks are not detailed in the provided data, La Plata’s status as a **planned city** and its association with **Dardo Rocha** and **Eva Perón** contribute to its unique identity. The city’s architectural and urban planning heritage continues to attract scholars, tourists, and urban planners interested in its innovative design.

### **Miscellaneous Data**
- **Aliases**: La Plata is also known as *ラ・プラタ* in Japanese.
- **Different From**: The city is distinct from **Mar del Plata**, another major Argentine city often confused due to similar names.
- **Online Presence**: La Plata has a dedicated **Wikipedia page** in multiple languages, a **Commons gallery**, and a **Wikidata entry**, ensuring comprehensive digital documentation.
- **Cultural Categories**: Wikidata includes categories for **people born in La Plata**, **people from La Plata**, and **films shot in La Plata**, highlighting its cultural contributions.

This structured overview captures the full scope of La Plata’s historical, administrative, cultural, and geographic significance, providing a thorough reference for further study.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. [Source](https://www.gochengdu.cn/news/our-sister-cities/sister-cities-of-chengdu/la-plata-argentina-a8399.html?xcSID=04j06l2e0bo8q3o2mh7ud63pm2)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. BnF authorities
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. MusicBrainz
7. [Source](https://www.eldia.com/nota/2019-9-22-6-8-33-cada-vez-menos-platenses-viven-en-el-casco-y-la-ciudad-se-expande-sin-control-vivir-bien)
8. [Poblaciones](https://mapa.poblaciones.org/)
9. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
10. GeoNames
11. [Source](https://bdigital.uncu.edu.ar/objetos_digitales/12704/11fisch-proyeccion22.pdf)
12. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
13. [Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands](https://biblio.hiu.cas.cz/records/f9d71159-457c-4237-974f-9e3e585a3d9a)