Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, located on the western bank of the Río de la Plata, inland from the Atlantic Ocean.

The city is the political, economic, social, and cultural center of Argentina, and its influence extends well beyond the nation’s borders. The original settlement’s name, Puerto Nuestra Señora Santa María del Buen Aire (Port of Our Lady Saint Mary of the Good Air), survived in abbreviated form as simply Buenos Aires (Good Airs).

Buenos Aires consists of the City of Buenos Aires and Gran (Greater) Buenos Aires. The City of Buenos Aires is a federal district, established in 1880, made up of the Buenos Aires city proper. It has 48 barrios (neighborhoods).

Gran Buenos Aires includes both the City of Buenos Aires and its 19 suburbs, known as partidos (municipalities). As of 2007, almost one-third of Argentina’s population lived within Gran Buenos Aires. The residents of Buenos Aires are known as Porteños (people of the port).

Buenos Aires is situated on the Río de la Plata, which is an immense estuary formed by the confluence of the Paraná and Uruguay rivers. The Río de la Plata keeps Buenos Aires temperate: The city is cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter than inland locations at the same latitude. Winter temperatures rarely fall below freezing, and snow fell only once in the 20th century.

In July, the coolest month, average daily highs reach 15°C (60°F), while lows drop to about 8°C (46°F). In January, the height of summer, average daily highs reach nearly 30°C (86°F), while lows average about 20°C (67°F).

Rainfall is moderate with the annual total averaging 1,147 mm (45.2 in). Precipitation is more or less evenly distributed throughout the year.

The humidity in Buenos Aires can be high, and in the summer months the combination of heat and humidity can make moderate temperatures feel oppressive.