Rosario << roh ZAH ree `oh` >> (pop. 948,312) is one of the largest cities in Argentina and the largest city that is not a provincial capital. It lies on the Paraná River, in the east-central part of the country. The city is a major inland seaport and an important industrial center.
Rosario was founded in 1793, but it was not declared a city until 1852. Its location on the eastern edge of the Pampas, a huge fertile plain, led to its significant growth in the late 1800’s. At that time, farmers on the Pampas began producing large amounts of agricultural products. Rosario’s nearness to the Paraná River made it an ideal point from which to ship the products to places outside the region. Today, five railway lines and five major highways link various parts of northern and central Argentina to Rosario’s excellent port facilities. Many factories in Rosario produce processed foods from farm products. The city’s other industries include petroleum refining and the manufacture of chemicals, metal products, and textiles. Rosario is modern in appearance and has many boulevards and attractive parks.
