To date, Avenida 9 de Julio in Argentina still holds the title of “The Widest Avenue in the World.”
Avenida 9 de Julio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is recognized as the widest avenue in the world. This avenue spans approximately 140 meters with 16 lanes. Crossing the avenue from one side to the other takes quite a bit of time.
The history of this avenue began when the capital, Buenos Aires, rapidly developed and was likened to “the Paris of South America” in the early 20th century. At that time, the government of Argentina’s capital decided to construct a grand roadway in the center inspired by the Champs-Élysées of Paris, France.
The multi-lane avenue in the center of Buenos Aires (Photo: Travel).
However, Argentina aimed for a more grand and impressive roadway than the Champs-Élysées. The capital’s government decided to create an avenue that would be wider than the Champs-Élysées.
The construction project for Avenida 9 de Julio was monumental, taking nearly half a century to complete. The project went through multiple construction phases.
Phase 1 was completed in 1937, followed by Phase 2 in 1960. After 1980, areas in the southern part continued to be completed. Since then, it has remained the widest avenue in the world.
To build this avenue, the government of Buenos Aires had to relocate thousands of households and demolish many buildings.
The Obelisco tower was erected to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Buenos Aires (Photo: Daytour).
Along this avenue are neatly planned buildings. In the southern part of the avenue stands the Constitución railway station, while the northern side features the French Embassy with its distinctly European architecture, and the Teatro Colón – one of the most beautiful buildings in Buenos Aires. The centerpiece of the avenue is the 70-meter tall Obelisco, pointing skyward, which was erected to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Buenos Aires.
Neatly constructed buildings on both sides of the avenue (Photo: Travel).
Not long ago, a TikToker attempted to cross the avenue from one side to the other.
He reported that the total time to walk across the avenue was 4 minutes and 17 seconds, including waiting for red lights at intersections. In comparison, crossing other avenues around the world typically takes only about 25 seconds.
