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| Martín García | ||
| province | Buenos Aires | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | about 200 | |
identical information for residents on Wikidata.  | ||
| height | 27 m | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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The Isla Martín García is a small, wooded river island in the Río de la Plata off the coast Uruguaybut that too Argentina belongs. It is a popular recreational destination for the residents of Buenos Aires and can from Tigre in the Gran Buenos Aires as well as from Carmelo (Uruguay) can be reached by scheduled boat.
background
The island was discovered in 1516 by Juan Díaz de Solís. It was named after one of the expedition members who died on the trip and was buried on the island. It soon became a bone of contention between Spain and Portugal because of its strategic location right in front of the mouth of the Río Uruguay.
In 1765 the Spaniards established a prison on the island, and from 1776, when the Viceroyalty of Río de la Plata was founded, the island was fortified militarily. In the 19th century it played a role both in the wars between royalists and republicans (1810-1823) and between Brazil and Argentina. It was used as a prison well into the 20th century, when Presidents Hipólito Yrigoyen (1930), Juan Perón (1946, after he was forced to resign as Minister of Labor) and Arturo Frondizi (1962) were interned there after they were deposed.
It was not until 1973 that the island's sovereignty was finally clarified, it was awarded to Argentina, but the waters around it and the neighboring island Timoteo Dominguez now belong to Uruguay. Since Timoteo Dominguez grew together with Martín García in the 1980s and 1990s, there is now practically a state border on the island.
Because of the buildings and the historical importance, the island is visited by many porteños.
getting there
There are scheduled boats several times a day from Tigre out. Each one of the boats continues to the Uruguayan Carmelo on the east bank of the Río de la Plata.
mobility
The island is so small that everything can be reached in a few minutes on foot.
From the island's airfield, sightseeing flights are offered in sport aircraft, which you have to organize yourself on the island.
Tourist Attractions
The former Fortifications and the jail as well as some civil buildings from the 19th century are the biggest attractions on the island.
former fortress
Teatro General Urquiza
Island cemetery
Map of the island
activities
Walks in the lush vegetation are possible, you can also swim in the river, but there is no sandy beach.
shop
Except for a small general store, there are no shops on the island.
kitchen
There is a restaurant in the village, but it only offers simple dishes. It is best to bring something to picnic yourself, especially if you are only going on a day trip to the island.
nightlife
accommodation
The only accommodation option is quite cheap campsite near the nature reserve. It also offers hostel-style rooms. But you should inquire beforehand whether a school trip is currently staying on the island.
