BUENOS AYRES, bwa•mis i"ras (Sp., good air; see BUEN AYRE1. The largest and most im portant province of Argentina, on the eastern coast, bounded by the river Parana and the provinces of Santa F,'" and CArdoba on the north, by the Atlantic on the east and south, and by the Territory of La Pampa and the Province of Cdrdoba on the west (Map: Argentina, E 11). Area, 118,000 square miles. Excepting the south ern part, which is crossed by two mountain chains, the province consists of an extensive plain dotted with small lakes and intersected in every direction by short streams. The coasts are generally low and sandy, and only slightly in dented. though the southeastern part has a num ber of promontories. The ehief rivers of the province are the Parana (with its estuary, the Plata River), which borders it on the north east. and the Rio Salado. There is. however, no scarcity of water, as the numerous lakes and lagoons are connected by short streams, too shallow for navigation, but of considerable value for purposes of irrigation. The climate is health ful, with a temperature considerably reduced by sea breezes. The southern wind which blows in summer occasionally reaches the velocity of a hurricane, when it is known as the Pamper°, and is at times quite destructive. The soil is very fertile, and especially adapted to grazing and the growing of cereals, though at present the raising of domestic animals is by far the leading occupation. The wealth in live stock was esti mated in 1895 at about 52,000.000 sheep, 7.200. 000 cattle, and 1700,000 horses. During recent years the live-stock interests have shown a ten dency to decline, due in a measure to the in creased activity in agricultural pursuits. The
cultivation of wheat has of late been receiving more attention, and corn, which is used in the local distilleries. is raised in large quantities. The commerce and shipping are naturally very extensive, both on account of the large volume of local products and from the fact that through its geographical position the province control.` the foreign commerce of the republic. The chief exports are wool, beef, and other animal prod ucts. Of manufactured products very little is left for export, after domestic consumption. Railways connect all important centres, affording excellent transportation facilities.
Tn its administration the province is entirely independent of the central Government, not only in local affairs, but also in external financial transactions. The executive power is vested in a Governor and Vice-Governor, elected indirectly for a period of three years. The legislative power is exercised by a Congress consisting of a Chamber of Deputies of not more than 100 mem bers, elected biennially, and a Senate of not more than 50 members, elected triennially. Congress holds annual sessions from May I to August 31. The whole province is divided into four sections for judicial purposes, and there is a Supreme Court at La Plata. Administratively the prov ince is composed of 100 districts, under the con trol of their ehief municipalities. Capital, La Plata. Population, in 1881, 654.555; in 1895, 921,168; in 1900 (estimated)• 1,140,067.