San Martín de los Andes
San Martín de los Andes | |
|---|---|
 Aereal view of the city | |
  San Martín de los Andes   San Martín de los Andes | |
| Coordinates: 40°10′S 071°21′W / 40.167°S 71.350°W | |
| Country |  Argentina |
| Province |  Neuquén |
| Department | Lácar |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Carlos Saloniti[1] (MPN) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 140 km2 (50 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 640 m (2,100 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 23,519 |
| • Density | 170/km2 (440/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-3 (ART) |
| CPA base | Q8370 |
| Dialing code | +54 2972 |
| Climate | Csb |
San Martín de los Andes is a city in the province of Neuquén, Argentina. It is located in the Lácar Department in the south-west of the province, at the foot of the Andes.
History
Before the founding of San Martín de los Andes, the valley of Chapelco was sparsely populated by indigenous Puelches who used it as a refuge during the harsh winters of the zone. The Puelches had, since colonial times, engaged in trade with the Huilliches on the eastern slope of the Andes through various mountain passes. Puelches raised horses on the eastern slopes of the Andes and traded them for weapons and alcoholic beverages becoming one of the main food providers of the isolated exclave of Valdivia. The Argentine and Chilean military campaigns; the conquest of the Desert and the occupation of Araucanía; in the second half of the 19th century bought a definitive end to this trade.
German settlers began to arrive in neighboring southern Chile from the 1840s. Some of these settlers and their descendants began a lucrative leather industry obtaining leather from indigenous communities across the Andes.[2] In the 1880s the Argentine Army displaced indigenous communities disrupting this trade forcing leather merchants in Chile themselves to cross the Andes to obtain supplies. This way numerous entrepreneurs from Chile, many with a German background, established cattle and trade business in the area of Lácar and Nahuel Huapi lakes.[2]
In 1898 a military expedition arrived in the area to take control of the zone due to increasing border disputes with Chile. The Boundary treaty of 1881 between Chile and Argentina led to disputes whether the main Andean Mountain Range or the continental divide should serve as border in this latitude. Chilean authorities argued that since Lácar Lake drained into the Pacific the area of San Martín should belong to Chile. The Argentine government was also concerned about the zone's dependence on trade with Chile, just like in Bariloche and other parts of the southern Andes. San Martín de los Andes was founded on 4 February 1898 by Colonel Celestino Pérez, who followed orders from Chief of Army Rudecino Roca.[3] Following the founding, the main economic activities were wood logging and husbandry.
A major change in settlement life came when in 1937 Lanín National Park was created. This meant that wood logging was gradually reduced and numerous small settlements along the lake shore disappeared. New roads were built effectively connecting San Martín with the rest of Argentina. This led to an increased trade that almost ended local husbandry and agriculture.[4] In the 1970s with the help of bank credits many tourism enterprises were established in San Martín making the town up to this day an important tourism center, specially during winter when the ski pistes are open.[5]
Geography
Geology
The city lies in an area of varied geology. Rocks in the area include metamorphic, plutonic and volcanic rocks. Metamorphic rocks found are schists, gneisses and migmatites, all of whom have sedimentary protoliths. Deposition of sediments occurred no earlier than in the Cambrian period and metamorphism occurred during the Devonian period as part of the Famatinian orogeny.[6] Plutonic rocks around San Martín de los Andes crystallized from magma in the Devonian in connection to the onset of the Gondwanide orogeny. Plutonic rock types in the area are granodiorites, tonalites and less voluminous gabbros.[6] Plutonic and metamorphic rocks make up the basement around San Martín de Los Andes,[6] yet near Cerro Chapelco this basement is overlain by volcaniclastic and sedimentary rock belonging to Huitre Formation.[7] The higher parts of Cerro Chapelco are made up of basaltic and andesitic lavas of Chapelco Formation which overlies Huitre Formation. These lavas erupted and cooled into rock about 4 million years ago in the Pliocene Epoch.[7]
Climate
San Martín de los Andes has a cool ocean-influenced climate, on the boundary between Mediterranean (Köppen Csb), and oceanic (Cfb). Being shielded somewhat by the Andes in Chile, it is much less wet and more sunny than Chilean Patagonia, but still is very susceptible to heavy storms during the winter which tend to produce a mixture of rain and snow when they manage to retain some moisture over the Andean divide. However, when it is not raining or snowing heavily, the weather can be extremely sunny and beautiful, though the nights under these conditions are chilly and frost has occurred even during the summer.
| Climate data for San Martín de los Andes (1993–2004) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 36.8 (98.2) |
34.7 (94.5) |
36.9 (98.4) |
26.6 (79.9) |
22.1 (71.8) |
16.7 (62.1) |
16.3 (61.3) |
21.3 (70.3) |
24.7 (76.5) |
28.4 (83.1) |
30.8 (87.4) |
33.5 (92.3) |
36.9 (98.4) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 21.9 (71.4) |
19.9 (67.8) |
19.5 (67.1) |
15.1 (59.2) |
12.1 (53.8) |
9.4 (48.9) |
9.6 (49.3) |
9.4 (48.9) |
11.8 (53.2) |
14.5 (58.1) |
17.7 (63.9) |
20.4 (68.7) |
15.1 (59.2) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 17.1 (62.8) |
15.5 (59.9) |
13.8 (56.8) |
10.3 (50.5) |
7.6 (45.7) |
4.5 (40.1) |
4.9 (40.8) |
5.5 (41.9) |
7.7 (45.9) |
10.2 (50.4) |
12.8 (55.0) |
15.5 (59.9) |
10.4 (50.7) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 11.8 (53.2) |
10.1 (50.2) |
8.8 (47.8) |
6.1 (43.0) |
3.1 (37.6) |
0.0 (32.0) |
0.4 (32.7) |
1.9 (35.4) |
3.4 (38.1) |
5.0 (41.0) |
7.4 (45.3) |
10.0 (50.0) |
5.6 (42.1) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 3.1 (37.6) |
0.1 (32.2) |
−0.4 (31.3) |
−3.5 (25.7) |
−4.5 (23.9) |
−7.1 (19.2) |
−6.1 (21.0) |
−4.8 (23.4) |
−3.6 (25.5) |
−1.3 (29.7) |
0.2 (32.4) |
−0.2 (31.6) |
−7.1 (19.2) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 24.8 (0.98) |
26.7 (1.05) |
51.7 (2.04) |
65.9 (2.59) |
114.8 (4.52) |
262.1 (10.32) |
137.8 (5.43) |
91.9 (3.62) |
86.8 (3.42) |
85.4 (3.36) |
50.6 (1.99) |
21.1 (0.83) |
1,019.4 (40.13) |
| Average precipitation days | 4.9 | 4.3 | 8.0 | 8.8 | 14.0 | 16.9 | 13.6 | 8.9 | 12.0 | 9.4 | 6.9 | 4.5 | 112.0 |
| Source: Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria[8] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
As of the 2010 census there were 35,787 ihnabitants in town, making it one of the most populous in the province of Neuquén.[9] San Martín de los Andes experienced an exponential population growth of 34,29% since the census of 2001, when 23,519 lived in the area.[10] By the time of the 1991 census, the city contained 15,711 residents. Previous censuses showed a total of 10,262 (1980) and 6,465 (1970) inhabitants, respectively.[11]
Since its foundation as a military outpost, immigrants from different parts of Europe, including Spaniards, Italians, Germans, Dutch people and French, as well as Syrian-Lebanese store owners and settlers from neighboring Chaile integrated with the local population, making it ethnically diverse from its beginnings.[3] Over the years, migrants from other Argentine provinces contributed to the population.[12]
Economy and Tourism
San Martín de los Andes is considered one of the main tourist destinations in the Neuquén province, in both summer and winter.[13] Not far from the town centre, the sorrounding nature offers the possibility to practise outdoors activities, such as hiking, mountain trekking and rafting.[14][15] Serving as the seat of the administration headquarters of the Lanín National Park, the city is the gateway to several tourist destinations in the southern Neuquén province, including the Lanín and Nahuel Huapi national parks, and Cerro Chapelco.[16][17]
The tourism activity became the priority for the region after the opening of the Lanín National Park in 1937, displacing husbandry and wood logging, which didn't correspond with it. Though considerably reduced, the wood logging industry remained as a minor activity through the years, creating local jobs.[4]
San Martín de los Andes hosts a series of regular events. Every year the National Mountainman Festival and the Trabún Festival are celebrated, both related to the local culture.[18][19] The South American Bird Fair, the main birding meeting in the continent, takes place in the town.[20]
Architecture
San Martín de los Andes was modeled like a mountain village built with traditional materials for the region, such as stone, wood and shingle roofs in its beginnings.[21] Buildings belonging to the early 20th century include the First Post Office (1899), the Old Lácar Hotel (1910), the Primeros Pobladores Museum building (1911), the old-fashioned Chidiak general store (1938) and houses of the pioneer families.[22]
The creation of the Lanín National Park and the restriction of use of wood from the protected territory was restricted, bringing a second period of architectural style, where the two-storey houses were introduced. Some of the buildings from this period include the first aid centre (1942), the Lanín National Park administration building (1946) the first school of the village (1948), and the town hall (1960).[22]
The city started growing rapidly after establishing itself as a tourist destination in the 1970's. Since then, the architects generally abandoned the traditional mountain village style to erect more city-like structures with modern materials.[22]
Transportation
San Martín de los Andes is served by the National Route 40, which runs north–south through the city, connecting it with Junín de los Andes to the north and Villa La Angostura to the south. The southern stretch between the former is known as the Road of the Seven Lakes, crossing the Lanín and Nahuel Huapi national parks.[23] The Provincial Route 19 connects the city with popular tourist destination Cerro Chapelco.[24] Additionally, Provincial Route 62 ends in the city.[25]
Situated near the border, there are different options to cross to Chile, including the Hua Hum Pass (through Provincial Route 48), Carirriñe Pass and Mamuil Malal Pass (both via Junín de los Andes to the north) and the Cardenal Antonio Samoré Pass (via Villa La Angostura to the south).[26] Hua-Hum international pass, which leads to Panguipulli in Chile, lies 45 km (28 mi) from San Martín de los Andes. Once the border is crossed into Chile, a ferry across Lake Pirihueico enables travelers to cover the distance from Puerto Pirihueico to Puerto Fuy, as there are no roads in this area.
The city public transportation is represented by a bus network. There are lines connecting the city with the nearby natural scenery attractions and villages.[27] Additionally, taxi agencies operate in the city.[28]
The city has a bus terminal with both long- and medium-distance services, connecting it with a large variety of points in Argentina as well as with neighboring Chile.[27] The town is served by the Aviador Carlos Campos Airport, which is 22 km (14 mi) away from the centre and is considered the main airport in the southern Neuquén province.[29]
Sports
Its natural conditions for outdoor sports and activities all year round make the area attractive for tourists. During summer it's possible to practise mountain bike, fishing and horse riding among others.[30] During winter, the near located Cerro Chapelco is a renowned ski centre in Argentina and South America, where a variety of winter sports like skiing and snowboarding are practised.[31]
The area hosted different sports events of national and international level, such as the San Martín de los Andes marathons and Snowboardcross competitions of the FIS Snowboard World Cup.[32]
Athletic Curruhinca, an amateur soccer team, with the entire squad from San Martin de los Andes, won the title "Copa Cablevision" in 2013, becoming the first amateur soccer champion in the country capital Buenos Aires originally coming from this city.
References
- ^ "Listado de autoridades municipales - San Martin de los Andes". Municipio de San Martín de los Andes (in Spanish).
- ^ a b Muñoz Sougarret, Jorge (2014). "Relaciones de dependencia entre trabajadores y empresas chilenas situadas en el extranjero. San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina (1895-1920)" [Dependence Relationships between Workers and Chilean Companies located abroad. San Car-los de Bariloche, Argentina (1895-1920)]. Trashumante: Revista Americana de Historia Social (in Spanish). 3: 74–95. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
- ^ a b "Nuestra Historia - Ciudad". San Martin de los Andes' Official Website (in Spanish). Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ a b "San Martín de los Andes - Aspectos Económicos". Neuquén province's Official Touristic Website (in Spanish). Retrieved April 10, 2021.
- ^ "Historia de San Martín de los Andes". Argentina's Official Touristic Website (in Spanish). Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ a b c Serra-Varela, Samanta; Gonzalez, Pablo; Giacosa, Raúl; Heredia, Nemesio; Pedreira, David; Martín-González, Fidel; Sato, Ana (2019). "Evolution of the Palaeozoic basement of the Northpatagonian Andes in the San Martín de los Andes area (Neuquén, Argentina): Petrology, age and correlations". Andean Geology. 46 (1): 102. doi:10.5027/andgeoV46n1-3124.
- ^ a b Escosteguy, Leonardo; Franchi, Mario (2010). "Estratigrafía de la región de Chapelco, Provincia del Neuquén". Revista de la Asociación Geológica Argentina (in Spanish). 66 (3).
- ^ "Valles neuquinos: Regiones naturales" (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
- ^ "San Martín de los Andes sería la segunda ciudad de la provincia". LM Neuquén (in Spanish). June 13, 2010. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ "Población". Argentina's National Institute of Agricultural Technology (in Spanish). Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ "Población total por censo y tasa media anual de crecimiento según municipio y categoría del mismo. Censos 1970, 1980, 1991 y 2001" (PDF). Neuquén province's Official Website (in Spanish). 2006. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ "Cada vez llegan más migrantes de otras provincias a Neuquén". LM Neuquén (in Spanish). January 3, 2020. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
- ^ "Un finde alentador para la industria del turismo en Neuquén". Río Negro (in Spanish). December 9, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
- ^ "Trekking de montaña al Colorado". Argentina's Official Touristic Website (in Spanish). Retrieved April 10, 2021.
- ^ "Rafting por las aguas blancas". Argentina's Official Touristic Website (in Spanish). Retrieved April 10, 2021.
- ^ "Parque Nacional Lanín". Argentina's Official Touristic Website (in Spanish). Retrieved April 10, 2021.
- ^ "Cerro Chapelco". Argentina's Official Touristic Website (in Spanish). Retrieved April 10, 2021.
- ^ "Fiestas en San Martín de los Andes, Neuquén". Argentina Turismo (in Spanish). Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- ^ "Fiesta del Trabún". San Martín Travel (in Spanish). Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- ^ "Feria Sudamericana de aves en San Martín de los Andes". Neuquén Informa (in Spanish). September 27, 2012. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- ^ "Áreas Centro y Vegas: Patrimonio Arquitéctonico". San Martín de los Andes' Official Site (in Spanish). Retrieved April 10, 2021.
- ^ a b c "San Martín de los Andes - Atractivos Turísticos". ArgentinaViajera.com.ar (in Spanish). Retrieved April 10, 2021.
- ^ "La Ruta 40 ahora pasa por Junín, San Martín y Villa La Angostura". San Martín a diario (in Spanish). October 15, 2012. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
- ^ "Área Lácar: Circuito Cerro Chapelco". San Martin de los Andes' Official Website (in Spanish). Retrieved April 9, 2021.
- ^ "Se pavimentó otro tramo de la Ruta Provincial N°62". Neuquén Informa (in Spanish). May 13, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
- ^ "Pasos Fronterizos - Cómo llegar". San Martin de los Andes' Official Website (in Spanish). Retrieved April 9, 2021.
- ^ a b "Transportes terrestres - Cómo llegar". San Martin de los Andes' Official Website (in Spanish). Retrieved April 9, 2021.
- ^ "Agencias de remises y taxis - Cómo llegar". San Martin de los Andes' Official Website (in Spanish). Retrieved April 10, 2021.
- ^ "Más conectividad con Chapelco". Chapelco Ski Resort (in Spanish). Retrieved April 9, 2021.
- ^ "Aventura y Deporte". San Martin de los Andes' Official Website (in Spanish). Retrieved April 10, 2021.
- ^ "Centro invernal de esquí Chapelco". Patagonia.com.ar (in Spanish). Retrieved April 10, 2021.
- ^ "Nieve de vacaciones de invierno: Chapelco se viene con todo". LM Neuquén (in Spanish). July, 9 2009. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)
- Municipal information: Municipal Affairs Federal Institute (IFAM), Municipal Affairs Secretariat, Ministry of Interior, Argentina. (in Spanish)
- Municipality of San Martín de los Andes - Official website.
- https://web.archive.org/web/20140107093859/http://www.copacablevision.com.ar/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=89
External links
Media related to San Martín de los Andes at Wikimedia Commons- Official site of the municipality of San Martín de los Andes
- Some information about the San Martin de los Andes in English
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