Bolivian Argentines (Quechua: Buliwyanu Arhintinapi, Spanish: Boliviano-argentinos) are Argentine citizens of Bolivian descent or Bolivia-born people who immigrated to Argentina. In recent decades, Bolivia has become one of the main sources of immigration in Argentina, making Bolivians one of the largest Hispanic American immigrant groups in Argentina, along with Paraguayans, Peruvians and Venezuelans.
In Argentina, at the beginning of the 21st century, lies the world's largest Bolivian community outside Bolivia. The 2001 census recorded 233,464 legal Bolivians residing in Argentina, in equal parts for women and men. This is due in large part to economic abundance, and favorable opportunities which immigrants have in Argentina, as well as the healthcare and quality of life.
The Permanent Assembly for Human Rights of Bolivia considers that there are over 3 million Bolivian citizens living in different foreign countries.[3] Of these, migration to Argentina accounts for 73% of the total, being the largest Bolivian diaspora group abroad.[4] Today, it is estimated that more than 2 million Bolivians reside in Argentina, 5.4% of Argentina's total population.[2]
Most Bolivians reside in Greater Buenos Aires, especially in La Matanza, Morón, Tres de Febrero and Escobarpartidos. Within the City of Buenos Aires, they reside mainly in the neighbourhoods of Flores, Villa Soldati, Villa Lugano, Liniers and Nueva Pompeya.[5] There are also important Bolivian communities in the provinces of Salta, Jujuy and Tucumán. Moreover, about 50,000 Bolivians reside in the provinces of Neuquén and Río Negro in the Patagonia Region.[6]
During colonial times, much of Argentine territory was a link between Buenos Aires and Upper Peru (present-day Bolivia).
20th century
Most horticultural production in lower Chubut River Valley is made by Bolivian immigrants who settled in the valley a few decades ago.[7]
In the early 20th century, Bolivian immigration to Argentina was heading Argentine north to work in the harvest season of sugarcane and snuff. From the '50s it was constituted a significant part of the market related to the tomato, peppers and bananas, among others, in northern Argentina. During the 1960s and 1970s they were present at harvest and other crops in the west of the country and began to maintain a permanent presence in the city of Buenos Aires standing out in the horticultural work. Since then, Bolivians are found throughout the country.[8]
The first migration wave of the modern era was held in 1940 after the ease of entry that gave the Argentine government engaged in sugar crops of Salta and Jujuy, in the 1960s they moved to the province of Mendoza for collecting the fruit and vegetables, or for collecting snuff leaves. After that, many moved to Buenos Aires to work as laborers, masons, and so many other jobs.[5] Some also moved to southern lands as Comodoro Rivadavia, and north of the province of Chubut because of the oil "boom".
During the Falklands War (Spanish: Guerra de Malvinas) in 1982, some 25,000 Bolivians living in northern Argentina, mainly in the province of Salta, expressed their decision to act as volunteers in the defense of the islands in support of Argentina.[9]
21st century
Bolivian Festival in Buenos Aires.
At the beginning of the 21st century, Argentina is home to the world's largest Bolivian community. The 2001 census recorded 233,464 legal Bolivians in Argentina in equal parts for women and men.
Bolivian immigrants in Argentina found a place to work, progress, and help their families. Thousands of Bolivians have joined the Argentine everyday life, contributing in areas as diverse as construction, education, health, sports and music areas. In addition, elements of Bolivian cuisine have become more popular in some areas where the Bolivian community is remarkable.
Regina G. Schlüter, Turismo y Patrimonio en el siglo XXI, CIET, Buenos Aires, 2002.
José Moreno Páez, "La Argentina es aplaudida en el mundo entero por sus políticas migratorias". UNASUR, Buenos Aires, 2008.
Eduardo Muñoz Pernía, "Argentina mira hacia el futuro de la integración latinoamericana, marcando el ejemplo, con el plan Patria Grande". Torremolinos, Madrid, 2006.
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