Junín de los Andes

Junín de los Andes is the capital of the Argentine Department Huiliches in southwestern province of Neuquén. It is an important livestock center in the province and is the center of trout fishing.

Geography

Junín de los Andes is located on the right bank of the Río Chimehuin, on the east by the department Huiliches, which is located in the southwest of the province. Near the town are the lakes Huechulafquen, Paimún, Epulafquen, Lolog and Currhué.

Climate

The climate in Junin de Los Andes is temperate - cold in summer and cold - damp in winter. The summers are relatively cool and winters are long lasting. The nearby lakes act on the local climate. The annual rainfall is 2000 millimeters on average.

History

Before the arrival of the whites populated Mapuche and Tehuelche the region. During the desert campaign, the troops Julio Argentino Roca's defeated the indigenous peoples. The purpose of the war campaign was to ensure the Argentine dominance over Patagonia. 1882 reached the army, the hollow in which lies the modern city. There, the first fort was built in the area.

In 1883 a later expedition carried out on behalf of Cardinal Giovanni Cagliero the valley of the Río Chimehuín to establish a settlement. The leader of the expedition, Miguel E. Vidal chose the location for the construction of a new fort and is therefore regarded as a founder of the city.

Initially, most residents were military. In the late 19th century and early 20th century was a major wave of settlers in the area. The city became an important center of livestock in their province.

1955, the site was declared along with San Martín de Los Andes and Cutral -Co by national regulation to the community. It applies the oldest community in the province.

Population

At the beginning of the 20th century, most local residents lived in the countryside. According to the 1924 census, the city had 620 inhabitants, while the rural population at that time was 1,780. Between 1991 and 2001 the population increased by 7,333 people to 10,302.

Economy

Initially, the local economy was based on livestock. After the establishment of the national park Parque Nacional Lanín in 1937, the tourism is the main source of income of the city. Junín de los Andes is nowadays one of the most famous tourist destinations in the province.

Traffic

Airport

The city has an airport Chapelco (IATA Code: CPC, ICAO: SAZY ). The airport is located 20 km southwest of the city on the Ruta Nacional 234

Road

The journey to the city is the Ruta Nacional 234 40 connects the Ruta Nacional with the Ruta 231. The Ruta Nacional 40 leading to San Martin de Los Andes in the south and after Zapala north.

Attractions

On the Plaza San Martín, one can see the araucaria, which were planted there by the Father Ginés Ponte. Colonel Brøndsted they named Plaza Bartolomé Mitre in 1897. Since August 17, 1950 called the Plaza San Martín.

In the city, the Iglesia de Las Nieves (Eng. " Church of the snow "). Its cultivation began in 1951. The name comes from the snow that was on the evening before the opening. Inside the building lies the corpse of the Salesian Father Domingo Milanesio who evangelized in the region.

In the Mapuche Museum various historical documents of the city as well as objects of the Mapuche people are issued.

In addition to the Town Hall is the Plaza Centenario, which was opened in 1983 on the occasion of the centenary of the city's founding. In this place the remains of Miguel Vidal rest.

To the east of the city is the Cerro de la Cruz. There is a large white cross that is visible from the city on its summit. The cross was consecrated by Archbishop Alfonso Mendoza Buteler 1957.

The spa on the banks of the Rio Chimehuin is a popular place for summer sports in the city.