Provincial Coat of Arms
Click on the map to see a bigger one.
Río Dulce Dam
|
Area: 136,351 KM2
Population: 806,347 (2001).
Main Cities: San Luis Capital, Villa Mercedes, Justo Daract.
Description:
Santiago del Estero is a typical land-locked province, bounded
by the provinces of Salta and
Chaco on the north; the provinces of
Chaco
and Santa Fe
on the east; the province of Córdoba on the south; and
the provinces of Catamarca, Tucumán, and Salta on the west.
It has a total area of 136,351 square kilometers (3.6% of the national total). The
territory is a widely extended plain with a slight northwest-southeasterly
slope. It is crossed by only two rivers, Dulce and Salado, unlike in their
abundance as well as in the possibilities of their use.
During the last decades, a series of dams, reservoirs, compensatory ditches, diversion
channels, and intercommunication channels have been built for water development, 95% of
which is used in agricultural and animal husbandry activities.
Climate is hot, corresponding to the subtropical zone. Annual average temperature in
summer is 28°C/82°F, with extreme variations up to 45°C/113°F, while in winter, the
average temperature is 14°C/57°F. Total annual precipitation ranges from 600 to 750 mm.
Political Organization and Demographic Structure:
Santiago del Estero, whose capital has the same name, is divided
into 27 departments, with separate political and administrative powers.
Annual growth rate is 11.6‰, while density is 4.9 inhabitants per square
kilometer. Urban population comes up to 61%. (1991).
Economic Structure:
In 1994, the primary sector, basically consisting of
the agricultural and animal husbandry activities, contributed
14% to the value added of the total supply of goods and services.
The
secondary sector generated 18%, while the remaining 68% of the global
economic activity corresponds to the supply of financial, transport and
communications, commerce, tourism, and government services.
The major activity of Santiago del Estero is agriculture, basically
horticulture, cotton, soya and surghum. Although of lesser importance, animal
husbandry (especially goats) and forestry are to be mentioned. Industry is
hardly significant, outstanding “food and beverage”, and “textiles”.
CLICK HERE TO SEE A BIG MAP OF SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO PROVINCE
|
