Santiago del Estero

After a series of exploratory expeditions since 1543, Santiago del Estero del Nuevo Maestrazgo was founded on July 25, 1553 by Francisco de Aguirre (although some historians consider that its real foundation was in 1550). It is the oldest city in Argentina, but except for several churches, it preserves little of its former colonial architecture.

The city was the capital of the Tucumán intendency during the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata, and first seat of the Bishop, those later moved to Salta and Córdoba respectively.

Santiago del Estero stands in the middle of an extensive but largely semiarid agricultural region. Originally a forest area, their forests were exhausted by timber industries of British capital during the 19th century.