Mendoza, a significant Argentine province in the western-central Cuyo region, is the fifth most populated and borders Chile along the majestic Andes mountains, with its capital being the homonymous city. Its history dates back over 12,000 years with early human settlements, and it was formally founded by Spanish conquistador Pedro del Castillo in 1561. The province played a crucial role in Argentina's independence, serving as the base for General José de San Martín's legendary Army of the Andes, which famously crossed the mountains in 1817 to liberate Chile.

Despite a devastating 1861 earthquake that necessitated rebuilding its capital, Mendoza flourished from the early 1900s, driven by its thriving wine industry, which was greatly aided by railway links established in 1885 and attracted significant European immigration. The 20th century saw the founding of the National University of Cuyo in 1939 and periods of complex political leadership, including the controversial terms of Governor Francisco Gabrielli.