Floridablanca (Patagonia)
Encyclopedia
The Spanish settlement Nueva Colonia y Fuerte de Floridablanca was established in San Julian Bay
in 1780 and abandoned four years later due to scurvy
. At present, this settlement is an archaeological site
near Port San Julian, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina
.
King
of Spain
in the late 18th century. This was part of a strategic plan of the Spanish crown to settle those parts of the empire still unexplored or unpopulated. The colony was named after the Count of Florida-Blanca
, then chief minister
of the crown.
In Floridablanca the modern ideas of the Spanish Enlightenment
were put in place. The concepts of agriculture and family were the centre of the discourse for the colony. Agriculture was selected as the main means of support for the settlement. An attempt to guarantee agricultural development through building a society of farming families tied to the land. Households were seen as the essential unit of society and the basic elements needed for their maintenance was determined by the Spanish Crown (i.e., lodging, food, health, land, seeds and production means).
, Argentina.
San Julian Bay
San Julian Bay is a curved bay in Argentina, next to the city of San Julián....
in 1780 and abandoned four years later due to scurvy
Scurvy
Scurvy is a disease resulting from a deficiency of vitamin C, which is required for the synthesis of collagen in humans. The chemical name for vitamin C, ascorbic acid, is derived from the Latin name of scurvy, scorbutus, which also provides the adjective scorbutic...
. At present, this settlement is an archaeological site
Archaeological site
An archaeological site is a place in which evidence of past activity is preserved , and which has been, or may be, investigated using the discipline of archaeology and represents a part of the archaeological record.Beyond this, the definition and geographical extent of a 'site' can vary widely,...
near Port San Julian, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
.
History
A little village called Nueva Colonia y Fuerte de Floridablanca was founded in the frame of the colonisation of the Patagonian Atlantic coast developed by Charles IIICharles III of Spain
Charles III was the King of Spain and the Spanish Indies from 1759 to 1788. He was the eldest son of Philip V of Spain and his second wife, the Princess Elisabeth Farnese...
King
King
- Centers of population :* King, Ontario, CanadaIn USA:* King, Indiana* King, North Carolina* King, Lincoln County, Wisconsin* King, Waupaca County, Wisconsin* King County, Washington- Moving-image works :Television:...
of Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
in the late 18th century. This was part of a strategic plan of the Spanish crown to settle those parts of the empire still unexplored or unpopulated. The colony was named after the Count of Florida-Blanca
José Moñino y Redondo, conde de Floridablanca
José Moñino y Redondo, Count of Floridablanca , Spanish statesman. He was the reformist chief minister of King Charles III of Spain, and also served briefly under Charles IV. He was arguably Spain's most effective statesman in the eighteenth century...
, then chief minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
of the crown.
In Floridablanca the modern ideas of the Spanish Enlightenment
Age of Enlightenment
The Age of Enlightenment was an elite cultural movement of intellectuals in 18th century Europe that sought to mobilize the power of reason in order to reform society and advance knowledge. It promoted intellectual interchange and opposed intolerance and abuses in church and state...
were put in place. The concepts of agriculture and family were the centre of the discourse for the colony. Agriculture was selected as the main means of support for the settlement. An attempt to guarantee agricultural development through building a society of farming families tied to the land. Households were seen as the essential unit of society and the basic elements needed for their maintenance was determined by the Spanish Crown (i.e., lodging, food, health, land, seeds and production means).
Historical archaeology
Floridablanca has become the object of the research project "Archaeology and History at the Spanish colony of Floridablanca (Patagonia, 18th century)" headed by Dr. María Ximena Senatore from the Instituto Multidisciplinario de Historia y Ciencias Humanas, CONICET and University of Buenos AiresUniversity of Buenos Aires
The University of Buenos Aires is the largest university in Argentina and the largest university by enrollment in Latin America. Founded on August 12, 1821 in the city of Buenos Aires, it consists of 13 faculties, 6 hospitals, 10 museums and is linked to 4 high schools: Colegio Nacional de Buenos...
, Argentina.