2 A Short History of the Rêo De La Plata 1502 -1964

Chapter Summary

Ever since the XVI century, the century characterised by the exploration and occupation of the American Continent, the name given to the area that extends all along the shores of the Río de la Plata was the "Plata" or the "Río de la Plata" region. The Governorship of Buenos Aires, which could be accessed via the Pacific Ocean descending from Lima and via the Atlantic Ocean along the Río de la Plata, was established by the Spanish Crown as a department of the Viceroyalty of Lima. Both the riparian States and the third States which had to navigate along the Río de la Plata mainly for trade purposes suffered political hindrances and faced conflicting situations. This chapter depicts the essential elements for an understanding of the political scenario which surrounded the Río de la Plata and its tributaries throughout five centuries.

Keywords: American continent; Governorship of Buenos Aires; Pacific Ocean; Río de la Plata; riparian states; Viceroyalty