Barracas

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Barracas

Area	7.6 km²
Population	77,474 (2001)
Density	10,194/km²
Comuna	C4
Barrios' day	December 13
Important sites
Estación Buenos Aires

Barracas is a barrio, or district, in the southeast part of Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is located between the railroad of General Belgrano and the Riachuelo River, and the streets Regimiento de Patricios, Defensa, Caseros, Vélez Sársfield, Amancio Alcorta, Lafayette, and Lavardén. The name Barracas comes from the word barraca, which refers to a temporary construction of houses using rudimentary materials.

[edit] History

During the 20th century this neighborhood was subsidized by a few wealthy families of Argentina. Immigrants started to settle in Barracas, especially Italians, and became a popular neighborhood for the working class. Third-rate cafes were built, in effect attracting people with a lower financial status. Factories dominated the economic sector of Barracas up until 1946.

In the latter part of the nineteenth century, the factories of Barracas began to close, train stations began to run fewer services, and freeway construction forced the demolition of over twenty residential buildings and two public parks.

[edit] Reference

• (Spanish) Barrios Porteños