La Pampa is a province of Argentina, located in the Pampas in the centre of the country. Neighboring provinces are from the north clockwise San Luis, Córdoba, Buenos Aires, Río Negro, Neuquén and Mendoza.
History
Stables at the former Roca-Luro Estate, now the Luro Prairie Preserve.
In 1604 Hernandarias was the first explorer to reach the area later explored by Jerónimo Luis de Cabrera in 1662. But it was not until the 18th century that permanent settlements were installed. Resistance of the local aborigines prevented expansion until the government of Rosas, and did not cease until Julio Roca's Conquest of the desert in the 19th century. The territory was divided between the officers, and the first settlements were erected.
The Territorio Nacional de La Pampa Central was created in 1884, containing the Río Negro Province and parts of other surrounding provinces, and around 25.000 inhabitants. In 1915 there were already 110.000. In 1945 the territory was divided and La Pampa became a province.
In 1952 its constitution was indited, and the province renamed after Eva Perón. In 1955 both La Pampa and Chaco, the other province renamed at the same time, after Juan Perón, were renamed back to their original names.
La Pampa's population, despite its rural profile, is one of Argentina's best-educated. One prominent local journalist, El Arena newsdaily editor Raul D'Atri, earned a national reputation for his investigative work, done sometimes at great peril to himself and El Arena.[1]
Geography and climate
Landscape near Winifreda, La Pampa.
In the middle of the Pampas region, the low flat lands steppe receives 500 mm of rain a year, diminishing towards the West. The little humidity in the temperate weather results in a high contrast in temperature between day and night, what is also reflected in the vegetation.
The Northwest, is part of the Humid Pampas, next to the Buenos Aires Province. Also the influence of the Cuyo region can be seen to the west, with a low mountain range of 600 meters.
There are only 2 main rivers in the province: the Colorado on the border with the Río Negro Province, and the Salado River ("Salty River") crossing it. The Salado's level has being dropping, as its tributaries in the Mendoza Province are used for irrigation.
Economy
La Pampa, long Argentina's most economically agricultural province, produced an estimated US$3.2 billion in output in 2006, or, US$10,500 per capita (almost 20% above the national average).[2]
Agriculture contibutes a fourth to La Pampa's economy, the most important activity being cattle ranching, with 3,632,684 (2002) head, which takes place all over the province. Other livestock include 202,428 sheep, 140,498 goat and 64,118 pig.
Parque Luro Natural Prairie Preserve.
The Northeast, on the more fertile lands, has also an important activity with wheat (10% of the national production), sunflower (13% of NP), maize, alfalfa, barley, and other cereals.
There's also a dairy industry of 300 centres of extraction and 25 cheese factories, honey production, and salt extraction from salt basins.
La Pampa is home to very little industry, construction or mining and, so, its services sector accounts for over two-thirds of the economy, a fairly high proportion. Tourism is an underdeveloped activity, however. Visitors start at Santa Rosa and reach Lihué Calel National Park, Parque Luro Provincial Reserve or visit one of the many estancias, some of which are dedicated to agritourism.
Political division
Civic Center and governor's offices, Santa Rosa.
The province is divided in 22 departments (Spanish: departamentos).
Department (Capital)
- Atreuco (Macachín)
- Caleu Caleu (La Adela)
- Capital (Santa Rosa)
- Catriló (Catriló)
- Chalileo (Santa Isabel)
- Chapaleufú (Intendente Alvear)
- Chical Có (Algarrobo del Aguila)
- Conhelo (Eduardo Castex)
- Curacó (Puelches)
- Guatraché (Guatraché)
- Huncal (Bernasconi)
Supreme Court of La Pampa.
- Lihué Calel (Cuchillo-Co)
- Limay Mahuida (Limay Mahuida)
- Loventué (Victorica)
- Maracó (General Pico)
- Puelén (Veinticinco de Mayo)
- Quemú Quemú (Quemú Quemú)
- Rancul (Parera)
- Realicó (Realicó)
- Toay (Toay)
- Trenel (Trenel)
- Utracán (General Acha)
External links
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