C�rdoba, Argentina

C�rdoba is a city in central Argentina. It is in the center of Argentina's most productive agricultural area, and is the capital of C�rdoba Province. C�rdoba is located on the Rio Primero in the foothills of the Sierra Chica mountains. The city is a major industrial center, but retains many historic buildings from the Colonial era. In 2003 C�rdoba had a population of about 1,350,000 people, making it Argentina's second city (after Buenos Aires).

History

C�rdoba was founded in 1573 by Jeronimo Luis de Cabera, named after C�rdoba, Spain. It was the first Spanish Colonial capital of the region that is now Argentina. The University is the second oldest in South America, founded in 1613.

After the end of World War II C�rdoba became a major centre for the Argentine aircraft industry, and the site of Argentina's military aeroplane factory, the F�brica Militar de Aviones.

Argentine Government offered positions to German technicians from the Focke Wulf company at its aerotechnical institute, the Instituto Aerot�cnico in C�rdoba. Many moved there in 1947.

The Instituto Aerot�cnico later became the F�brica Militar de Aviones. It employed the Focke Wulf men until President Juan Peron fell from power in 1955.