Los Antiguos
Los Antiguos is a small town with about 2,000 inhabitants (2001, INDEC ) in Patagonia, Argentina. It is located in the department of Lago Buenos Aires Santa Cruz province on the southern shore of the 2240 km ² large Argentine- Chilean border lake Lago Buenos Aires ( in Chile: Lago General Carrera ), the second largest lake in the Andes to Lake Titicaca. Los Antiguos is a border town, it is located on the Chilean side of the Chile Chico opposite. Los Antiguos is located on the right bank of the same river, which flows into the Lago Buenos Aires.
The landscape is dominated by the eastern foothills of the Andes. South of the town rise above all the Piedras Sueltas ( 2,235 m, here arises the said river) and the Cerro Zeballos ( 2,748 m) up. The valley in the Los Antiguos is located, has a mild microclimate for Patagonia, therefore, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and apples can be grown here. As it is mainly dominated by cherry trees, Los Antiguos considered the capital of the Argentine cherry cultivation. The numerous irrigation ditches contribute to the beautiful appearance of the place and environment. The houses have given the snowfall in the winter (especially between April and August ) an " alpine " character, especially conifers are frequently encountered.
The place has developed by its location also become a tourist center. In addition to skiing here also ausgedehnete hiking, fishing and boat trips are available. Even archaeological sites are located in the vicinity, as a gold mine. The name of the village ( in German: " the ancients " ) indicates an indigenous origin; the Patagonian area called the i- keuk - Kenk, which means something like: " my ancestors " and has also been adopted by the Spanish-speaking settlers. However, it took until 1900 before Argentines settled here permanently. In addition to the Patagonian Indians settled here often immigrants with Central and Eastern European ancestors. City rights were granted Los Antiguos 1970. During the 20th century saw a continuous expansion of the area with it, came with the outbreak of the 2,600 meter high volcano Cerro Hudson (on the Chilean side, about 100 kilometers northwest of Los Antiguos ) in 1991, a crisis. Although the outbreak cost no lives but caused an economic depression, because now many tourists stayed away.
The city is easily accessible via - through the provincial road 43, the Los Antiguos with Perito Moreno, 45 kilometers to the east, connects, where connection is made to the North -South connection from Mendoza to Punta Arenas. There are also interesting caves in the area, the Cueva de Altamira prehistoric rock drawings or the Cueva de las Manos ( part of the cultural heritage of mankind ). 80 km south of Los Antiguos is the Perito Moreno National Park, while on the Chilean side of the National Park Laguna San Rafael and Los Huemules lie.