Río Negro (Province) - Río Negro (Provinz)

Río Negro is a province in the southern Central Argentina. It belongs to the landscape Argentine part of Patagonia. Together with the province of Neuquén, it will too Comahue called.

Regions

The province is characterized by the contrast between two very different regions: The region of the Coast and meseta, which covers the eastern three quarters of the province, is a barren steppe landscape, broken up by the river valleys of the Rio Colorado and above all that Río Negro. Several bathing beaches have been developed on the Atlantic, but only of them Las Grutas attracts mass tourism. Against it is Andean region to the west a moist wooded area with numerous lakes known as Argentine Switzerland.

places

• San Carlos de Bariloche (100,000 inhabitants), one of the most popular tourist destinations in Argentina. Located on the huge Nahuel Huapí lake, with a ski center and numerous hiking opportunities.
• Viedma (50,000 inhabitants) the capital, near the Atlantic. There are many beautiful beaches in the area (e.g. El Cóndor). Should become the capital of Argentina in 1986 - but nothing came of it because of a change of power.
• General Roca (80,000 inhabitants), industrial center in the north-west of the province
• San Antonio Oeste (20,000 inhabitants). Small town with an international export port on the Atlantic coast. Known above all for the seaside resort in the district Las Grutas.
• El Bolson (15,000 inhabitants), hippie mecca in the southern Andes.

Other goals

• Nahuel Huapí National Park
• Meseta de Somuncurá, Nature reserve in the Meseta
• Playas Doradas, small, quiet seaside resort in the south of the province

background

The contrast between the two main regions is what makes this province so attractive. While the Andean region around Bariloche has been a popular travel destination since the middle of the 20th century, the Atlantic beach baths have only been an alternative to the bathing resorts in the province of Buenos Aires for the average tourist since the 1980s the Meseta de Somuncurá, a huge, but "only" 1,600 m high, rocky table mountain.

Economically, the production of fruit dominates in the high valley of the Río Negro, followed by tourism. Nevertheless, the province is the poorest in Patagonia, also because there is no oil or natural gas to hope for quick profits like in Neuquén or Chubut. In an Argentine comparison, it is in the middle here. The situation is particularly precarious in the central part of the province, on the open meseta, where some basic infrastructure is still lacking. The capital too Viedma, which was to be proclaimed the state capital in 1986, has suffered major social problems due to enormous immigration from poor areas in the interior of the country, because there are too few economic development opportunities for the new citizens and there is little industry.

language

The Spanish corresponds to the dialect of the capital Buenos Aires. Outside of Bariloche and El Bolsón, English skills are often only poorly available.

getting there

The largest airport is in San Carlos de BarilocheThere are other airports in Viedma and San Antonio Oeste (only connected to Buenos Aires), as well as the airport Neuquén is a good option for the northwest of the province.

Buses connect the region to both Buenos Aires and environment, Rosario, as well as via the central route with Cordoba and Northwest Argentina at. A train runs between Buenos Aires and Carmen de Patagones at Viedma, which is by far the cheapest way to get there, but is also very slow.

mobility

The train runs in Río Negro Tren Patagónico from Viedma to Bariloche. It's cheap and one of the best-equipped trains in the country. In the summer, some formations are used Expreso Arrayanes with a café concert, cinema, disco and restaurant. Recommended and not even that expensive. See also: Satélite Ferroviario for the timetable.

Buses run on all main roads, especially in the high valley of the Río Negro.

Tourist Attractions

Architectural sights are rare in the province, also because it was not settled until the 20th century. Nature plays the main role here. Notable sights are the Nahuel Huapí National Park with the connected Los Arrayanes National Park (one of the few forests made up of the rare Arrayanes trees) that Meseta de Somuncurá, as well as the sea lion colony La Lobería at Balneario El Cóndor.

Even if it is not actually in the province, the old town of Carmen de Patagones (in the agglomeration of Viedma) worth mentioning as it is mostly visited from Río Negro and is far from the other tourist destinations in the province of Buenos Aires. It is the only preserved colonial old town in Patagonia.

activities

Río Negro is suitable for both one Beach vacation on the coast as well as for one Active vacation with hiking, trekking, canoeing, mountain biking, etc. in the Andes region. For nature lovers there are numerous opportunities to observe the flora and fauna, for example at the sea lion colonies on the coast (La Lobería) or in Nahuel Huapí National Park.

kitchen

nightlife

San Carlos de Bariloche is known for its sprawling nightlife. There is something going on there all year round, as many graduation and school trips lead to this city. As a result, however, the audience is usually very young. But Viedma, Las Grutas in summer, El Cóndor and General Roca also offer passable opportunities.

security

There are no particular security problems to fear in the region. However, theft must be expected in the tourist areas of San Carlos de Bariloche and, to a lesser extent, in Las Grutas.

climate

The climate is windy, but sometimes very hot in summer, especially in the high valley of the Río Negro. The temperatures at the Atlantic are reminiscent of the Mediterranean - the water here is the warmest in Argentina.

literature

Web links

• http://www.rionegro.gov.ar - Official website of the Province of Río Negro