Córdobais a city located in the geographical center ofArgentina, in the foothills of theSierras Chicason theSuquía River. It is the capital ofCórdoba Provinceand thesecond most populouscity in Argentina after Buenos Aires. It was founded on 6 July 1573 byJerónimo Luis de Cabrera, who named it afterCórdoba, Spain. It was one of the first Spanish colonial capitals of the region that is now Argentina (the oldest city isSantiago del Estero, founded in 1553). TheNational University of Córdoba is the oldest university of the country and the second to be inaugurated inLatin America. It was founded in 1613 by theJesuit Order. Because of this, Córdoba earned the nicknameLa Docta(roughly translated, "the learned one").
Córdoba has many historical monuments preserved fromSpanish colonial rule, especially buildings of theRoman Catholic Church. The cityknown for its historical movements, such asCordobazoand La Reforma del '18 (known asUniversity Revolutionin English). Itis also known for itsvibrant nightlife.