Between 1885 and World War I the population of Argentina doubled due to an influx of three million European immigrants, 100,000 of whom spoke German. German communities developed in many areas, especially Buenos Aires, with their own schools, hospitals, shops, theaters, sports clubs, and banks. Many of those who immigrated directly from Germany were assimilated into the upper-middle class of Buenos Aires, but maintained strong ties to German culture, providing their children with a German education so they would not be at a disadvantage if they returned to Germany.