Nation and territory: The symbolic dimension of the space in the national construction of Argentina. 19th century

This article studies the links between the symbolic dimension of the territ ory and ethnic interaction in Argentina during the 19th century. The analys is focuses on the theoretical assumptions of the interaction between nation and territory in the framework of the "civic" model assumed by the Spanish American Republics; the consolidation of a territorial ideology implying t he unification and integration-both symbolic and physical-of the national s pace; the symbolic dimension of a concept-desert"-in the framework of the A rgentinian national building process; and finally the treatment of ethnic d iversity which aimed at homogenizing the indigenous, African and immigrant elements at the imaginary level, on the basis of "territory" as the main pr inciple of integration.