Thus, before 1850, the vast majority of European settlers in Argentina were from Spain and they carried the Spanish colonial administration, including religious affairs, government, and commercial business.

Furthermore, a large proportion of Spanish immigration to Argentina during the 20th century was from the North Western region of Galicia, which has a separate language and distinct culture from other parts of Spain.

Spanish settlements date back to 16th century, and from then on, many Criollo Spaniards populated the area of Argentina, some of whom intermarried with non-Spaniards.

Spain established a permanent colony on the site of Buenos Aires in 1580, although initial settlement was primarily overland from Peru.

The Spanish further integrated Argentina into their vast empire by establishing the Vice Royalty of Rio de la Plata in 1776, and Buenos Aires became a flourishing port.

Following the defeat of the Spanish, centralist and federalist groups engaged in a lengthy conflict to determine the future of the nation of Argentina.

[citation needed] Immigration from Galicia was so notable that today all Spaniards, regardless of their origin within Spain, are referred to as gallegos (Galicians) in Argentina.

[5] Many of the Argentine migrants to Spain are the descendants of Spaniards or Italians who can easily acquire European citizenship under laws of return.

[2] Another report gives net migration data as follows:[citation needed] The 2010 Argentine census recorded 94,030 people born in Spain.