Zapala

Zapala is the capital of the department of Zapala in the center of Neuquén Province in southwestern Argentina. It has 31,231 inhabitants, making it the third largest city of the province.

History

Zapala was as the railroad Ferrocarril del Sur Station on July 12, 1913 (today: Ferrocarril General Roca ) was founded. The railway line was originally to be continued over the Andes, but the work was stopped in the 1920s. The rails divide the city into a historical part of the shopping area and a modern part with residential areas today.

Geography

Zapala lies at the intersection of two major regions: the Patagonian meseta in the east and the southern Andes in the west. Southwest of the city lies the hill Cerro Michacheo. The climate is semiarid and kühlgemäßigt, with warm summers and cold winters.

Traffic

Zapala is connected to the 189 km eastern provincial capital of Neuquén on the Ruta Nacional 22. To the west, this road leads over the Pino - Hachado Pass to Chile. In Zapala this road is 40 crossed by the Ruta Nacional in north-south direction. The intersection of the two national highways makes Zapala an important relay for visiting the tourist attractions of the region: Villa Pehuenia, Primeros Pinos, Caviahue - Copahue, San Martín de los Andes and the National Park Laguna Blanca.

Attractions

The biggest attraction is the Mineralogical Museum Profesor Olsacher, which includes one of the largest collections of minerals in the world.

Economy

Dominating the economy from mining and service sectors. The industry is largely restricted to the manufacture of cement and the processing of subsidized natural resources.

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