La Rioja Province
Coat of Arms
La Rioja Map
Area: 89.680 Km2
Population: 289.983 (2001).
Capital City: La Rioja.
Main Cities: La Rioja, Chilecito, Aimogasta, Chamical, Chepes, Villa Unión, Nonogasta, Famatina.
The province of La Rioja, northwestern Argentina, is bounded by the
province of Catamarca, on the north; the
provinces of Catamarca and Córdoba, on the east; the
province of San Luis, on the south; and the province of San Juan and the Republic of Chile, on the west.
It has an area of 89,680 square kilometers (2.4% of the country area), marked
by sharp contrasts within the provincial relief. From the western plains to the Andes foothills, stretches
one of the most arid ambients of Argentina. On the west extreme is the Frontal cordillera, with
peaks exceeding 1,219 feet. Eastward, the great altitude of the Famatina Sierra allows humidity
condensation in the form of either rain or snow, the fusion of which feeds a series of rivers that
irrigate the greatest oasis in the province: Chilecito. Annual precipitation amounts to 300 mm in the eastern area.
Political Organization and Demographic Structure:
This province, the capital city of which has the same name, is divided into 18 departments, with separate political and administrative powers.
Annual growth rate is 28.4‰, while density is 2.5 inhabitants per square kilometer. Urban population represents 76% of the total. (1991).
Talampaya Nat. Park
Cuesta de Miranda close to Chilecito
Weather Condition in La Rioja City
Weather Condition in Chamical
The valleys located between the sierras are small orchards which make possible human settlement and economic activity based on agriculture.
Due to the arid climatic conditions, the development of irrigation systems has been vital to land cultivation. Annual average temperature is, approximately, 19°C/66°F, with extreme summer peaks of 45°C/113°F.
In 1992, the primary sector contributed 3% to the value added of the global
supply of goods and services. The secondary sector generated 39%, while the
remaining 58% of the global economic activity, corresponds to the supply of
financial, transport and communications, commerce, tourism, and government services.
Different industrial extension regulations have triggered La Rioja’s industry. Canned
industry (based on the olive tree), oils, skins and hides, textile industry with relatively
high integration, and sporting footwear. Outstanding in the primary sector are
grapevine (fresh grapes and wine) and olive trees crops; animal husbandry is also
being developed. In mining, ornamental rocks and industrial minerals are important
at national level; there are numerous projects to further expand the sector.
Tourist attractiveness is chiefly based on the Talampaya National Park and the region of Chilecito.
Places to Visit