Why did relatively few migrants come directly from Spain to colonial Argentina?

During the colonial period, there was relatively little direct migration from Spain to Argentina because the region lacked the significant attractions found in other Spanish colonies, such as Mexico and Peru.12

Specifically, the region was considered less desirable for the following reasons:

• Lack of Wealth: Unlike other areas of the Spanish Empire, the region lacked rich mines that could provide immediate economic gain.12
• Limited Labor Supply: The area did not have a large, sedentary population of Indigenous people that could be easily utilized for labor.12
• Restricted Trade: The region lacked the privilege of direct trade with Spain, as the Río de la Plata estuary remained largely closed to legal commerce for much of the colonial era.123
• Accessibility: The region was geographically isolated and less accessible compared to the established centers of Spanish power.12

Consequently, the population of colonial Argentina was settled primarily by the overflow of people from neighboring Spanish colonies, including Chile, Peru, and Paraguay.12