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Introduction
to the Region
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In the Americas, Argentina recieved
the third largest numbers of immigrants after the United States
of America and Canada. Much of the immigration to Argentina
during the 19th and 20th centuries was economically motivated.
Since there was little that restricted the entrance of
immigrants into Argentina until 1930, this made it an attractive destination.
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Since the 1850's, Argentina has recieved
large waves of continental and transatlantic migration.
Predominantly, migrants from Europe constituted a greater portion
of the total population in Argentina than any other country in the Americas.
This was the case until 1930, when restrictive laws limited the
influx of immigrants. After this, migrants from neighboring
countries then began to make up the majority immigrants entering Argentina.
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Each wave was characterized by specific
ethnic groups arriving more heavily during certain
periods. Italians and Spaniards constituted the vast
majority of immigrants to Argentina. For instance, during 1871-1914,
they accounted for 80% of the total migration to Argentina. However,
other European groups also contributed with important numbers of migrants.
Eastern Europeans, for example, arrived in large numbers during
the 1920's and 1930's. These influxes coincided with political
conditions in Europe, especially as a result of World War II.
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Argentina's
necessity for laborers in the agricultural, meat packing, and
grain export created an open door policy for
these immigrants. The Argentine state also welcomed much
needed population for the rest of the country. These immigrants
found in Argentina the possibility of work and prosperity.
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Luzia Dias - Portuguese immigrant
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José Fernández Domínguez -
Spanish immigrant
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Video clip Describes her preconceptions of the area.
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Video clip Describes reasons for immigrating to Argentina.
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Argentina today is recognized as a multi-ethnic
nation. While the region of Patagonia conjures up
images of penguins and snow covered mountains, it can actually be
described as a vast geographic region including parts
of both Argentina and Chile. Everything from
sandy beaches to glaciers can be found there. The community
of Comodoro Rivadavia, located on the coast of central Patagonia,
exemplifies this diverse composition. Comodoro
Rivadavia attracted many immigrants with employment oppurtunities
after the discovery of oil in the early 1900's.
This event transformed the social geography of the early port town.
Among the many ethnicities that populated this town are
Argentine, Bulgarian, Chilean, Croatian, German, Italian,
Polish, Portuguese, Slavic, Spanish among others.
With just a list of the different groups that represent the community,
it is possible to see the diversity. The life
stories of the inhabitants of Comodoro Rivadavia reveal
aspects of the migrant experience.
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