Viedma, Río Negro

Viedma is the capital of the province of Río Negro in southern Argentina (Patagonia ). It is located 30 kilometers northwest of the mouth of the river Río Negro in the South Atlantic. Viedma and the neighboring city of Carmen de Patagones, on the other side of the river forms a twin city with about 77,000 inhabitants, with 47,000 coming to Viedma and Carmen de Patagones to 30,000.

Geography and climate

Viedma is located in the valley of the water-rich Río Negro, but the surrounding area has a desert-like character, mainly because of the rocky soil and the dry, windy climate. However, today is run with the help of irrigation agriculture. The surrounding area is part of the Patagonian cuesta country, a thorn bush steppe with almost complete absence of trees.

History

The name goes back to Viedma, Francisco de Viedma, who explored the Río Negro, to build a fortress on the river. 1779 a fortress was built on the territory of today's Viedmas founded, but soon gave up and to the northern bank of the Río Negro (now Carmen de Patagones ) was laid. Nevertheless, an agricultural colony was created after some time here. In 1878, the National Capital Territory Viedma Río Negro, which in 1955 declared the province. 1986 wanted to move as part of a decentralization plan, the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires to Viedma of President Raúl Alfonsín, but the economic crisis (1987-1991) and the subsequent change of government undid the implementation of the plan. In the second half of the 1980s, wide lands around Viedma by land speculators bought in the hope of capital changes, also the number of immigrants increased by leaps and bounds. This meant that broad sectors of the poverty created and the unemployment rate is the highest of all Patagonia today.

Economy

While Carmen de Patagones and its environs have long been a center of agriculture and animal husbandry, the economy Viedmas has long been dependent on the administrative posts. Today, the valley of Río Negro is also operated with the help of irrigation agriculture, at the same time, investments in the tourism sector, especially in the 28 km concentrated situated south, very scenic resort El Cóndor and the sea lion colony Punta Bermeja.

Attractions

In Carmen de Patagones several buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries have received, which are built in a colonial and neo-colonial style. These include the house of La Carlota, the fortress tower and the church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen. The city of Viedma, however, is modern and without architectural sights.

Personalities

Born here

• John Edmund Vecchi (1931-2002), Superior General of the Congregation of the Salesians of Don Bosco