La Rioja, Argentina
Encyclopedia
La Rioja is the capital city of the Argentine
province
of La Rioja
, located on the east of the province. The city has a population of almost 150,000 as per the .
La Rioja is located on the foot of the Velasco Sierras, 1167 km (725 mi) from Buenos Aires
, and 430 km (267 mi) from Córdoba
. It is one of the most arid and least populated provinces of Argentina. The Capitán Vicente Almandos Almonacid Airport at coordinates 29°23′21"S 66°48′09"W is 7 kilometres away from La Rioja, and serves regular flights to Buenos Aires and Catamarca
.
Former president Isabel Martínez de Perón
was born in La Rioja. Another former president, Carlos Menem
, was born nearby.
), with average temperatures of 5 °C to 20 °C in winter and 21 °C to 35 °C in summer, but with maximum temperatures of more than 40 °C. The average annual precipitation is 362 mm (14 in).
, and in homage to the region of La Rioja in Spain.
Around the time of the Easter celebrations of 1591 approximately 9,000, of the estimated 11,000 indigenous people living in the surrounding area, attacked the stronghold of La Padercitas in La Rioja as a protest to the poor treatment they received from the Spanish settlers. During this time the Spanish settlers looked to San Francisco Solano to re-establish the peace.
La Rioja was always the principal settlement of the province. The only time it was surpassed in population was in the mid-19th century when Chilecito
, a small settlement near the Chilean boarder based around the Hacienda Santa Rita, became the largest town in the province. It wasn't until the early 20th century that La Rioja regained the status of being the largest city.
The city was the only settlement of some importance in the territory of the present province, and when an earthquake severely damaged the city in 1894, it had only 8,000 inhabitants. It was not until the 1970s that the population of the city, and of the province, started growing considerably.
. But the beginning of the 1970s brought to the city an industrialisation thrust that makes La Rioja today an important centre in Argentina's pharmacological industry.
The majority of La Rioja's working class find employment in construction, however, La Rioja's economy is also fueled by tourism hosting trips to scenic locations such as Chilecito
and Talampaya National Park
. The summer harvest, or "La Cosecha," is also a large employer. During la cosecha, many Riojanos find work in nearby green olive plantations, vineyards, and cotton fields, as well as the factories that bottle and distribute these products. La Rioja is also home to The Argentine National University of La Rioja
, the university has brought students and professors to the city for work and study since its establishment in the 1970s.
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
province
Provinces of Argentina
Argentina is subdivided into twenty-three provinces and one autonomous city...
of La Rioja
La Rioja Province (Argentina)
La Rioja is a one of the provinces of Argentina and is located in the west of the country. Neighboring provinces are from the north clockwise Catamarca, Córdoba, San Luis and San Juan.-History:...
, located on the east of the province. The city has a population of almost 150,000 as per the .
La Rioja is located on the foot of the Velasco Sierras, 1167 km (725 mi) from Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
, and 430 km (267 mi) from Córdoba
Córdoba, Argentina
Córdoba is a city located near the geographical center of Argentina, in the foothills of the Sierras Chicas on the Suquía River, about northwest of Buenos Aires. It is the capital of Córdoba Province. Córdoba is the second-largest city in Argentina after the federal capital Buenos Aires, with...
. It is one of the most arid and least populated provinces of Argentina. The Capitán Vicente Almandos Almonacid Airport at coordinates 29°23′21"S 66°48′09"W is 7 kilometres away from La Rioja, and serves regular flights to Buenos Aires and Catamarca
San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca
San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca is a city in northwestern Argentina and capital of Catamarca Province, on the Río Valle River, at the feet of the Cerro Ambato....
.
Former president Isabel Martínez de Perón
Isabel Martínez de Perón
María Estela Martínez Cartas de Perón , better known as Isabel Martínez de Perón or Isabel Perón, is a former President of Argentina. She was also the third wife of another former President, Juan Perón...
was born in La Rioja. Another former president, Carlos Menem
Carlos Menem
Carlos Saúl Menem is an Argentine politician who was President of Argentina from 1989 to 1999. He is currently an Argentine National Senator for La Rioja Province.-Early life:...
, was born nearby.
Climate
La Rioja has a semi-arid climate (BSh, according to the Köppen climate classificationKöppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
), with average temperatures of 5 °C to 20 °C in winter and 21 °C to 35 °C in summer, but with maximum temperatures of more than 40 °C. The average annual precipitation is 362 mm (14 in).
History
Juan Ramírez de Velasco founded the city with the name Todos los Santos de la Nueva Rioja on 20 May 1591, while he was the Governor of the Territories of TucumánTucumán Province
Tucumán is the most densely populated, and the smallest by land area, of the provinces of Argentina. Located in the northwest of the country, the capital is San Miguel de Tucumán, often shortened to Tucumán. Neighboring provinces are, clockwise from the north: Salta, Santiago del Estero and...
, and in homage to the region of La Rioja in Spain.
Around the time of the Easter celebrations of 1591 approximately 9,000, of the estimated 11,000 indigenous people living in the surrounding area, attacked the stronghold of La Padercitas in La Rioja as a protest to the poor treatment they received from the Spanish settlers. During this time the Spanish settlers looked to San Francisco Solano to re-establish the peace.
La Rioja was always the principal settlement of the province. The only time it was surpassed in population was in the mid-19th century when Chilecito
Chilecito
Chilecito is a city in the Argentine province of La Rioja, and head of the department of Chilecito.-Overview:It's located in the valley formed by the Sierras de Velazco to the east, and the Sierras de Famatina to the west. The city was founded in 1715 by Spanish colonizers...
, a small settlement near the Chilean boarder based around the Hacienda Santa Rita, became the largest town in the province. It wasn't until the early 20th century that La Rioja regained the status of being the largest city.
The city was the only settlement of some importance in the territory of the present province, and when an earthquake severely damaged the city in 1894, it had only 8,000 inhabitants. It was not until the 1970s that the population of the city, and of the province, started growing considerably.
Economy
The economy of the entire province is historically tied to cattle farming and agriculture, as well as wine productionArgentine wine
The Argentine wine industry is the fifth largest producer of wine in the world. Argentine wine, as with some aspects of Argentine cuisine, has its roots in Spain...
. But the beginning of the 1970s brought to the city an industrialisation thrust that makes La Rioja today an important centre in Argentina's pharmacological industry.
The majority of La Rioja's working class find employment in construction, however, La Rioja's economy is also fueled by tourism hosting trips to scenic locations such as Chilecito
Chilecito
Chilecito is a city in the Argentine province of La Rioja, and head of the department of Chilecito.-Overview:It's located in the valley formed by the Sierras de Velazco to the east, and the Sierras de Famatina to the west. The city was founded in 1715 by Spanish colonizers...
and Talampaya National Park
Talampaya National Park
Talampaya National Park is a national park located in the east/centre of La Rioja Province, Argentina. It was designated a provincial reserve in 1975, a national park in 1997, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000....
. The summer harvest, or "La Cosecha," is also a large employer. During la cosecha, many Riojanos find work in nearby green olive plantations, vineyards, and cotton fields, as well as the factories that bottle and distribute these products. La Rioja is also home to The Argentine National University of La Rioja
National University of La Rioja
The National University of La Rioja is an Argentine national university, situated in the city of La Rioja, capital of La Rioja Province. Its precursor, the Provincial University of La Rioja, was established in 1972.-See also:*** Argentine Universities...
, the university has brought students and professors to the city for work and study since its establishment in the 1970s.
Religion
- Catholics: Cathedral of La Rioja (showing in image above), Church of San Francisco, Convento of Santo Domingo, Church of La Merced
- Pentecostals: The Pentecostal Gospel Church of La Rioja
- Evangelists: There are various independent Evangelist churches of different creeds in La Rioja.
- Mormons: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has several congregations and chapels in La Rioja.
External links
- Official page (Spanish)
- City Information (English)
- Universidad Nacional de La Rioja (Spanish)