Resumen

LANSON, Daniel E.. The Historical Center of Luján (Buenos Aires, Argentina): An Analysis of Territorialization Processes by Using Historical Cartography. Rev. Univ. geogr. [online]. 2011, vol.20, n.1, pp. 67-82. ISSN 1852-4265.

This paper is an attempt to create a parallelism between the first map of Luján (Buenos Aires Province- Argentina), developed in 1755 by D. Agustín de la Rea, and a present satellite image of the same area using cartography as an instrument,. From this comparison we reach to conclusions that not only show the urban growth of Luján but also lead to the local cultural characteristics that forged this territory during the last two centuries and a half. First, we carry out a cartographic analysis of the map in order to understand the importance of this document that allowed for the existing small village of Luján to turn into an urban grid as required for becoming a Spanish Villa. Next, we describe some modifications to this old political, administrative, and religious center that lost its political and administrative character when the local seat of the government moved and that enhanced its religious character with the opening of the Avenue Nuestra Señora de Luján. Finally, we present some conclusions related to the incidence of such facts on territorial and heritage aspects.

Palabras llave : Historical center of Luján; Cultural heritage; Cartography; Territory.