Córdoba, Argentina

Córdoba is a city in central Argentina. It is in the center of Argentina's most productive agricultural area, and is the capital of Córdoba Province. Córdoba 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 Córdoba had a population of about 1,350,000 people, making it Argentina's second city (after Buenos Aires).

History

Córdoba was founded in 1573 by Jeronimo Luis de Cabera, named after Córdoba, 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 Córdoba became a major centre for the Argentine aircraft industry, and the site of Argentina's military aeroplane factory, the Fábrica Militar de Aviones.

Argentine Government offered positions to German technicians from the Focke Wulf company at its aerotechnical institute, the Instituto Aerotécnico in Córdoba. Many moved there in 1947.

The Instituto Aerotécnico later became the Fábrica Militar de Aviones. It employed the Focke Wulf men until President Juan Peron fell from power in 1955.