Malargüe Department

Malargüe is a department located in the south west of Mendoza Province in Argentina. Its borders are San Rafael in the north, La Pampa Province in the east, Neuquén Province in the south and Chile to the west.

Malargüe
Departamento Malargüe
Department
location of Malargüe Department in Mendoza Province
location of Malargüe Department in Mendoza Province
Coordinates: 36°10′S 69°20′W
CountryArgentina
EstablishedNovember 16, 1850
SeatMalargüe
Government
 • MayorJuan Manuel Ojeda, UCR
Area
 • Total41,317 km2 (15,953 sq mi)
Population
 (2001 census [INDEC])
 • Total23,020
 • Density0.56/km2 (1.4/sq mi)
Demonymmalargüino/na
Postal Code
M5613
IFAM
MZA010
Area Code02627
Patron saintNuestra Señora del Rosario
Websitewww.malargue.gov.ar

The provincial subdivision has a population of about 23,000 inhabitants in an area of 41,317 km2 (15,953 sq mi), and its capital city is Malargüe, which is located around 1,180 km (730 mi) from the federal capital Buenos Aires.

Geography

The south of the Malargüe Department is considered as the north tip of the Patagonia and is home to the many nature reserves such as La Payunia, Castillos de Pincheira, Caverna de las Brujas and Laguna de Llancanelo.

Districts

The department is divided in four districts:

  • Agua Escondida
  • Malargüe
  • Río Barrancas
  • Río Grande

Hydrology

Malargüe has many hydric resources. Among its most important rivers are the Grande River, the Colorado River, the Barrancas River and the Malargüe River, and the lagoons of Llancanelo, Negra and Niña Encantada.

Science

Malargüe is home to the Pierre Auger Observatory, an observatory designed to detect ultra-high-energy cosmic rays.

Tourism

The department has many exciting natural landmarks and is well suited for adventure tourism such as mountaineering, paragliding, rafting and kayaking. Here are located such exciting landmarks as Castillos de Pincheira, Tigre Cave, Brujas Cave and Pozo de las Ánimas - two closely located, up to 101 m deep sinkholes, where the wind often creates a howling sound.

Malargüe Department is home to the famous skiing resort of Las Leñas.

  • Las Animas Well
    Las Animas Well
  • Castillos de Pincheira
    Castillos de Pincheira
  • Las Leñas ski resort
    Las Leñas ski resort

References

    Media related to Malargüe at Wikimedia Commons


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