Tartagal, Salta

Tartagal is a town in the department of General José de San Martín in the province of Salta in northwestern Argentina, near the border with Bolivia. It has 60 585 inhabitants ( as of 2001, INDEC ), making it the second largest city of the province. It is located in a rainforest area with a subtropical climate.

Population

In Tartagal many descendants of various Indian tribes who live each in their own districts, and in the area, including the Chiriguano, Chane, Wichi, Chulupí and Chorote live.

Economy

The economy is based primarily on tropical agriculture and agro-industry.

Petroleum

Beginning of the twentieth century was discovered petroleum. About 25 percent of oil production and about 16 percent of natural gas production in Argentina have their origin here. After 1926 attracted workers in this area, contributing to the accelerated population growth in Tartagals. The national oil company Yacimientos Petroliferos Fiscales ( YPF ) presented for their employees living room available, built schools for their children and paid holiday pay.

In 1992, the government of Carlos Menem decided to privatize the development, production and export of oil and gas. As a result, the rights were transferred to the Spanish company Repsol. Tartagal was stage violent social conflicts than in the course of privatization, about 90 percent of formerly state-employed YPF workers were laid off.