Whether for tango, football or art, passions in Buenos Aires run high. The largest city in Argentina, it is chaotic and lively, dangerous and cosmopolitan, and presents seemingly unlimited attractions for tourists. This book provides a view into the city today, and into its past. Europeans colonized Buenos Aires in the 16th century, and from this modest start it had boomed by the end of the nineteenth century. Its history is one of excesses and swings between authoritarian and democratic governments. By examining Buenos Aires' past, we can appreciate what remains as story, urban myth, or reality. Jason Wilson explores the history behind the monuments, buildings, and people of the city. Essays on present-day Buenos Aires - its parks, cemeteries, museums and bookshops - reveal what makes the city tick, while listings provide handy references for the traveler. Buenos Aires, one of the first titles in the innovative 'CityScopes' series, is an authoritative introduction and intimate guide to the past and present of a vibrant, fascinating city.