Provincial Coat of Arms
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Vineyard in Hualfin
Cathedral of San Francisco
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Area: 102,602 KM2
Population: 333,661 (2001)
Main Cities: San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca, Andalgalá, Tinogasta, Belén.
Description:
The province of Catamarca is located in the northwestern region of Argentina. It
is bounded by the province of Salta, on
the north, the provinces of Salta, Tucumán,
Santiago del Estero and Córdoba, on
the east, the provinces of Córdoba and La Rioja, on
the south; and the Republic of Chile, on the west.
Most of Catamarca’s territory of 102,602 square kilometers (2.7% of the country total),
is covered by mountains (80%), which can be grouped into four clearly differentiated systems: the
Pampean sierras, in the east and center; the Narváez-Cerro Negro-Famatina system, in the west; the
cordilleran-Catamarca area of transition, in the western extreme; the Puna, an elevated portion, in the northwest.
Located in an arid and semi-arid climatic zone, Catamarca shows an evident scarcity of superficial hydraulic
resources; this fact accounts for human activities and settlements. Advantage has been taken of intermontane
areas, such as pockets and valleys, for agricultural activities. To the east of its territory there are several
water courses, distributed through canals and irrigation ditches, around which the population is concentrated,
with the most efficient network of facilities and services.
Average temperature recorded in the east and the capital city is 20°C/68°F, with extreme variations up to 45°C/113°F.
Total precipitation for the same region ranges from 400 to 500 mm.
Political Organization and Demographic Structure:
This province, whose capital is San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca, is divided into 16 departments, with
separate political and administrative powers.
Annual growth rate is 23.5‰, while density amounts to 2.6 inhabitants per
square kilometer. Urban population represents 70%. (1991) .
Economic Structure:
In 1995, the primary sector of the province contributed 9% to the value added of the
total supply of goods and services; the secondary sector generated 28%, while the remaining
63% of the global economic activity corresponds to the supply of financial, transport and
communications, commerce, tourism, and government services.
The main productive activities of the province are intensive agriculture and mining, with
significant Industrial development in the last decade (food and beverage, textiles and household appliances).
The most important crops are cotton (with irrigation), tobacco, olive tree
s and jojoba, which became significant in the last years through the economic
promotion regulations. Production of gold, mica and silver is considerable. In 1997
“Bajo La Alumbrera” came into operation, which will be the most important deposit
producing copper and gold in the country.
CLICK HERE TO SEE A BIG MAP OF CATAMARCA PROVINCE
Click here to read about the weather
The weather:
San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca (Capital):
Catamarca National University
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