Merlo, Buenos Aires

Merlo
Merlo is located in Greater Buenos Aires
Merlo
Merlo
Coordinates: 34°39′S 58°43′W / 34.650°S 58.717°W / -34.650; -58.717
Country Argentina
Province Buenos Aires
PartidoMerlo
FoundedAugust 28, 1755
Elevation
16 m (52 ft)
Population
 (2001 census [INDEC])
 • Total
244,168
CPA Base
B 1722
Area code+54 220

Merlo is the head city of the eponymous partido of Merlo and seat of the municipal government, located in the Greater Buenos Aires urban area of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.

The city was founded by Francisco de Merlo in 1755 and rebuilt by Juan Dillon in 1859.

Merlo is divided in two distinctive regions: Merlo Centro, a middle class district clustered around the train station; and the working class barrios, most of them along the Reconquista River.

The administrative and commercial center is around the main avenue, Avenida del Libertador General San Martín. This tree-covered avenue stretches seven blocks from the railway station to the historic district and has few buildings reaching over two storeys in height.

Merlo is bordered by Moreno and Paso del Rey—both cities in Moreno Partido—and the Reconquista River (northwest), San Antonio de Padua (north), Libertad and Parque San Martín (east) and Mariano Acosta (south).