Zárate is a port city in the northeast of the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. It lies on the western shore of the Paraná River, 90 km (56 mi) from Buenos Aires. Its population as per the 2001 census [INDEC] is 101,271 inhabitants. It is the headquarters for and the only city in the partido of the same name.
Following European colonization, the lands were distributed in grants. The first Spanish owners weren't able to use them productively, so their ownership was passed to the Jesuits, who were then expelled by Charles III of Spain.