San Isidro

San Isidro

San Isidro, cabecera (county seat) and partido (county) of northeastern Gran (Greater) Buenos Aires, Argentina. It lies north of the city of Buenos Aires, in Buenos Aires provincia (province), on the Río de la Plata estuary.

Colonization of the area began with the second and permanent founding of Buenos Aires (1580). During that period the region was known as Costa de Monte Grande. A settlement grew around the chapel of San Isidro Labrador, which was built by Domingo Acassuso in 1706. In 1784 the county was established, coinciding with the area of the parish, and later, in 1816, the county and settlement were both named in honour of San Isidro Labrador.

Industries in the county freeze meat and produce dairy products, tires, paper, ceramics, and other items. The city is known as a resort for golfing, yachting, swimming, and fishing. Many colonial structures still stand among the modern residences and other buildings of the city. A turf racetrack attracts many residents and tourists.

With the growth of the national capital, San Isidro has been absorbed into the north-northwestern suburban area of Gran Buenos Aires. The county is totally within the Gran Buenos Aires urban area, and its population density is greater than the majority of the counties in Gran Buenos Aires. Railway lines and the national highway system serve the county. Pop. (2001) county, 291,505; (2010) county, 292,878.