La Pampa () is a sparsely populated province of Argentina, located in the Pampas in the center of the country. Neighboring provinces are from the north clockwise San Luis, Córdoba, Buenos Aires, Río Negro, Neuquén and Mendoza.

History

thumb|left|240px|Stables at the former Roca-Luro Estate, now the Luro Prairie Preserve.

In 1604 Hernando Arias de Saavedra was the first European explorer to reach the area; it was later explored by Jerónimo Luis de Cabrera in 1662. But it was not until the 18th century that Spanish colonists established permanent settlements here.

Resistance of the local indigenous people prevented much expansion until the government of Juan Manuel de Rosas. It did not cease until Julio Roca's conquest of the desert in the 19th century. The territory was divided between the officers, and they erected the first Argentine settlements.

The Territorio Nacional de La Pampa Central was erected in 1884, containing the Río Negro Province and parts of other surrounding provinces. It had around 25,000 inhabitants. By 1915 there were 110,000 residents, a reflection of movement to that area. In 1945 the territory was divided and La Pampa became a province.

In 1952 its constitution was written and the province was renamed after Eva Peron. In 1955 after the government changed and the Peróns went into exile, both La Pampa and Chaco, which had been named for Juan Perón, were reverted to their original names.

Geography

thumb|300px|left|Landscape near Winifreda, La Pampa.

It is noteworthy that this province is larger than Austria, Taiwan, Ireland or Greece, for example.

There are only two major rivers in the province: the Colorado ("Red River") on the border with the Province of Río Negro, and the Salado ("Salty River") crossing it. The Salado's level has been dropping, as its tributaries in the Province of Mendoza are diverted for irrigation.

The general aspect of the central-eastern part of the province is that of a plain gently tilted to the east that is dissected by valleys. Formerly functioning as windfunnels for sand

While mostly flat, the province does also contains mountains like Sierra de Lihuel Calel, where a variety of landforms can be observed; these include inselbergs, flared slopes, domes, nubbins, tors, tafonis, and gnammas. Most of Sierra de Lihuel Calel is made up ignimbrite, a volcanic rock type that was violently erupted by ancient volcanoes. In general, the province is dominated by two different types of climates: a temperate one in the east and a semi-arid one in the west. Precipitation generally decreases from east to west and from north to south. During summer, the South Atlantic High is displaced to the southeast, which brings hot and humid air masses from the north and northeast. Now, the GDP per capita of the province is of US$14.000.

Agriculture contributes a fourth to La Pampa's economy, the most important activity being cattle ranching, with 3,632,684 (2002) head, which takes place all over the province. Other livestock include 202,428 sheep, 140,498 goats and 64,118 pigs.

thumb|left|240px|Parque Luro Natural Prairie Preserve.

The Northeast, on the more fertile lands, has also an important activity with wheat (10% of the national production), sunflower (13% of NP), maize, alfalfa, barley, and other cereals.

There's also a dairy industry of 300 centres of extraction and 25 cheese factories, honey production, and salt extraction from salt basins.

La Pampa is home to hundreds of oil and gas wells, as well as deposits of sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, and copper. Tourism is an underdeveloped activity, however. Visitors start at Santa Rosa and reach Lihué Calel National Park, Parque Luro Provincial Reserve or visit one of the many estancias, some of which are dedicated to agritourism.

Government

The provincial government is divided into the usual three branches: the executive, headed by a popularly elected governor, who appoints the cabinet; the legislative; and the judiciary, headed by the Supreme Court.

The Constitution of La Pampa Province forms the formal law of the province.

In Argentina, the most important law enforcement organization is the Argentine Federal Police but the additional work is carried out by the La Pampa Provincial Police.

Political divisions

thumb|260px|Civic Center and governor's offices, Santa Rosa.

The province is divided in 22 departments (Spanish: departamentos).

Department (Capital)

  1. Atreuco Department (Macachín)
  2. Caleu Caleu Department (La Adela)
  3. Capital (Santa Rosa)
  4. Catriló Department (Catriló)
  5. Chalileo Department (Santa Isabel)
  6. Chapaleufú Department (Intendente Alvear)
  7. Chical Có Department (Algarrobo del Aguila)
  8. Conhelo Department (Eduardo Castex)
  9. Curacó Department (Puelches)
  10. Guatraché Department (Guatraché)
  11. Hucal Department (Bernasconi)thumb|260px|Supreme Court of La Pampa.
  12. Lihuel Calel Department (Cuchillo-Có)
  13. Limay Mahuida Department (Limay Mahuida)
  14. Loventué Department (Victorica)
  15. Maracó Department (General Pico)
  16. Puelén Department (Veinticinco de Mayo)
  17. Quemú Quemú Department (Quemú Quemú)
  18. Rancul Department (Parera)
  19. Realicó Department (Realicó)
  20. Toay Department (Toay)
  21. Trenel Department (Trenel)
  22. Utracán Department (General Acha)

Villages

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References

  • Official (government) Website (Spanish)
  • Provincial Tourist Office (Spanish)
  • Universidad Nacional de La Pampa (Spanish)
  • REGION Guide to La Pampa (Spanish/English)
  • Map of La Pampa and its Departamentos (out of date)