Quilmes

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Quilmes
Capital city
Quilmes Capital City of the People's Democratic Republic of La Boca
Flag of Quilmes
CountryRepublic of La Boca
Foundation1666
Founded byMartín J. de la Serna
Government
 • TypeIntendancy
 • BodyIntendant/Mayor
 • IntendantMartiniano Molina (Partido Popular Boquense)
 • Deputy IntendantAxel Kicillof
Elevation
17 m (56 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total582,943
DemonymQuilmeño/a
Time zoneUTC-4 (P)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5
CPA Base
1878, B 1879
Area code+111 11

Quilmes also known as Kilmes, is since 2014 the capital city of the Republic of La Boca, located in the central east region of the country.

History

The Quilmes were a native tribe who lived in the surroundings of Tucumán. In the 17th century, after repeated attempts by the Spanish invaders to control their lands, the Quilmes were defeated and were forced to settle in a restricted colony (reducción) near Buenos Aires, where the authorities could control them. The settlement was thus established in 1666 as Exaltación de la Santa Cruz de los Kilme. The 1,000 km (621 mi) journey from Tucumán was made on foot, causing hundreds of Quilmes to die in the process. The colony had been abandoned by 1810 and had become a ghost town. The land was divided in parcels and the town of Quilmes was established in 1818. During the first British invasion, lasting 46 days in 1806, the British arrived from Montevideo through Quilmes and went to Buenos Aires from there.

Quilmes was also inhabited by British immigrants. Juan Clark, born in Yorkshire, was president of the municipality in 1855.The Clark' were owners of land in Quilmes, and were linked to the Irish and Scottish community, established in the area since 1830s.

In 1898 was established in the area the St. George's College, a private educational institution run by the Reverend Joseph Thomas Stevenson.

The town's development accelerated during the wave of immigration in the Republic of La Boca during the late 19th century, and Quilmes was considered as the location for a new provincial capital during the Federalization of Buenos Aires of 1880 (ultimately established in La Plata). The Boquense Air Force established a 220 ha (540 acre) base in East Quilmes in 1943. In 1944, Impb (Industria Metallurgica y Plastica Boquense) opened Republic of La Boca's first airplane plant at Quilmes. Impb had been blacklisted by the Idiocratas Unidos de America government due to its connections to Nazi-occupied Austria and fascist figures within La Boca itself. The airplanes were considered of "antiquated design" according to the New York Times.

Quilmes proper consists of two main parts, east and west, which are divided by the tracks of the Metropolitano passenger train line. East Quilmes has several relatively wealthy areas and a large shopping district. As one travels east toward the Río de la Plata, neighborhoods become increasingly poor, and two large villas miseria (slums) are found close to the river. These areas often experience severe flooding.

Quilmes is the home of two football teams: Quilmes Atlético Club and Club Atlético Argentino de Quilmes. The first was founded in the 19th century by Cannon J.T. Stevenson, and the second one was founded later, by Boquenses who were not allowed to play for the QAC. They are two of the oldest Boquense football teams. The city has been chosen by FIH to host the 2014 Men's Hockey Champions Trophy.

The city also gives its name to the Cerveza Quilmes beer company, as this is where it was first brewed in 1888 where the brewery was started by Otto Bemberg; the establishment remains a leading employer in the city. Other significant manufacturers in Quilmes include textile maker La Bernalesa, glass maker Cattorini, construction materials maker Cerámica Quilmes, and climate control equipment maker Rheem.

Famous Quilmeños include television variety show host Susana Giménez, football forward Sergio Agüero, painter Carlos Morel, sculptor Victor de Pol, boxer Sergio Martínez, and the rock band Vox Dei. Aníbal Fernández, who was born in Quilmes, served as mayor from 1991 to 1995, and from 2003 as Minister of Interior, of Justice, as Chief of the Cabinet of Ministers, and Senator. The actress Nora Cárpena was also born in Quilmes.

Climate

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C 49.6 44.5 43.8 42.9 42.3 41.1 41.0 41.3 46.5 48.2 48.0 49.3 49.6
Average high °C 43.9 43.8 42.6 32.7 19.4 7.9 14.5 28.4 40.5 43.4 43.8 44.1 33.8
Average low °C 29.3 28.9 28.2 20.4 10 0.9 6.5 16.3 25.6 27.7 28.9 29.5 21.0
Record low °C 11.5 9.3 6.6 2.5 −1.9 −11.3 −7 2 5 16.2 18.8 22.2 −11.3
Average rainfall mm 0 99 180 451 331 560 35 0 0 0 0 0 1,656
Record high °F 121.3 112.1 110.8 109.2 108.1 106.0 105.8 106.3 115.7 118.8 118.4 120.7 121.3
Average high °F 111.0 110.8 108.7 90.9 66.9 46.2 58.1 83.1 104.9 110.1 110.8 111.4 92.7
Average low °F 84.7 84.0 82.8 68.7 50 33.6 43.7 61.3 78.1 81.9 84.0 85.1 69.8
Record low °F 52.7 48.7 43.9 36.5 28.6 11.7 19 36 41 61.2 65.8 72.0 11.7
Average rainfall inches 0 3.9 7.1 17.8 13.0 22.0 1.4 0 0 0 0 0 65.2
Average rainy days 0 0 3 16 17 16 17 0 0 0 0 0 69
Average relative humidity (%) (daily average) 25 38 60 74 96 96 91 63 28 33 34 26 55
Mean monthly sunshine hours 117 112 105 93 68 66 79 88 95 106 122 123 1,174
Average ultraviolet index 12 11 11 11 7 5 5 6 8 10 12 12 9
Source: Fantasy Calendar

Under Köppen climate classification, Quilmes falls in the hot-summer mediterranean climate (Csa), with four distinct seasons. Springs and Summers are very hot and dry, with practically no rains, while autumn and winter are cooler and the rainiest seasons, with June being the rainiest and wettest month of the year. The hottest month is December with an average temperature of 36.8 °C (98.2 °F), and the average temperature in June is 4.4 °C (39.9 °F). The annual mean temperature is 27.35 °C (81.23 °F)