AVELLANEDA

formerly Barracas Al Sur (Spanish: Huts to the South), cabecera (principal built-up area) and partido (political subdivision) of Gran (Greater) Buenos Aires, Argentina, immediately southeast of the city of Buenos Aires, in Buenos Aires province, on the Ro de la Plata estuary. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the area was an industrial slum, slaughterhouse, and port district, separated from Buenos Aires by the Ro Riachuelo. Early settlers were Spanish, Italian, and Polish immigrants. The partido was formally established in 1852, when the governor of Buenos Aires province, Vicente Lpez, expropriated land from the existing partido of Quilmes. The cabecera and partido were renamed in 1914 in honour of Nichols Avellaneda, former president of Argentina (187480). The partido covers 21 sq mi (55 sq km) and is bordered by the partidos of Quilmes (southeast) and Lans (southwest). Besides the cabecera, Avellaneda, the major localities are Sarand, Wilde, and Gerli. The partido experienced rapid commercial development in the 20th century, based on the processing and marketing of hides, wool, and meat. During the mid-1940s Avellaneda became a centre of Peronist activity. In 1945 the descamisados (shirtless ones), rural migrants to the area, demonstrated in Pern's behalf, demanding his return from exile. Port facilities at Avellaneda are utilized mostly for coastal and river trade, and continue to concentrate mostly on the handling of wool, hides, and other animal produce. The density of settlement is the fifth highest among Gran Buenos Aires' partidos, and total population has remained about the same since 1960. Pop. (1980) partido, 334,145.