Caleta Olivia

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Cities and towns in Argentina Caleta Olivia Province Santa Cruz Department Deseado Location 46°26′ S 67°32′ W Population 36,077 Phone code +54 297 CPA base Z9011

Caleta Olivia is a city located at the northeast of the Argentine province of Santa Cruz, on the San Jorge Gulf by the Atlantic Ocean. It has a population of 36,000 inhabitants (2001 census [INDEC]). It is the second most important city of the province after Rio Gallegos, and the most populated of the Deseado Department.

The city was founded on November 20, 1901 by Navy Lieutenant Exequiel Guttero, captain of the Guardia Nacional, a ship which was transporting cables, equipment and workers for the construction of a telegraph line south of Comodoro Rivadavia. The settlement was given the name of his wife Olivia (caleta means "small bay", "inlet").

The main economical activities around the city are the petroleum, sheep and fishing. Its port serves both as a fishing centre, and as an exportation point for other locally produced goods.

In spite of the southern position of the city, it has moderate temperatures due to the regulation of the ocean, with beaches visited during sunny days in summer, where different water and sand sports are practiced.

Among the monuments of the city, probably the most characteristic is that of "El Gorosito", build to honour the petroleum worker.

[edit] References

• Caleta Olivia, Portal a los Hielos Eternos — Portal of the city.
• WelcomeArgentina — General and touristic overview of Caleta Olivia.
• Municipal information: Municipal Affairs Federal Institute (IFAM), Municipal Affairs Secretariat, Ministry of Interior, Argentina.