| La Pampa | |||
| Province | |||
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| Divisions | 22 departments | ||
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| Capital | Santa Rosa | ||
| Area | 143,440 km2 (55,382 sq mi) | ||
| Population | 318,951 (2010) | ||
| Density | 2.2 / km2 (6 / sq mi) | ||
| Governor | Óscar Jorge | ||
| - Senators | María Higonet, Carlos Verna, Juan Carlos Marino | ||
| Timezone | ART (UTC−3) | ||
| ISO 3166-2 code | AR-L | ||
| Demonym | Pampeano | ||
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| Website: http://www.lapampa.gov.ar | |||
La Pampa (Spanish pronunciation: [la ˈpampa]) 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.
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In 1604 Hernandarias was the first explorer to reach the area later explored by Jerónimo Luis de Cabrera in 1662. But it was not until the 18th century that permanent settlements were installed. Resistance of the local aborigines prevented expansion until the government of Rosas, and did not cease until Julio Roca's Conquest of the desert in the 19th century. The territory was divided between the officers, and the first settlements were erected.
The Territorio Nacional de La Pampa Central was created in 1884, containing the Río Negro Province and parts of other surrounding provinces, and around 25.000 inhabitants. In 1915 there were already 110,000. In 1945 the territory was divided and La Pampa became a province.
In 1952 its constitution was indited and the province renamed after Eva Perón. In 1955 both La Pampa and Chaco, the other province renamed at the same time, this one after Juan Perón, were renamed back to their original names.
Situated in the middle of the pampas, the low, flat steppe receives 500 mm of rain a year, diminishing towards the West. The low humidity and temperate weather result in high contrast in temperature between day and night, which is reflected in the vegetation of the region.
Summers are warm throughout the province, with warmer days in the west (about 32ºC, or 90F) than in the east (30ºC, or 86F) and cool nights, ranging from 16ºC (61F) in the north to 14ºC (57F) in the south: the thermal amplitude is thus quite remarkable. Heat waves are frequent, and temperatures reach over 40ºC (104F) sometimes. These are often followed by severe storms and much colder periods, where nights can be below 10ºC (50F). By early March nights are already noticeably cooler, and April usually brings the first frosty nights. Averages range from 19ºC (66F) to 22ºC (72F) during the day, and 7ºC (45F) to 10ºC (50F) at night, with dryer conditions than in the summer. Winters in La Pampa are usually dry and sunny, with cool days and quite cold nights, and some marked variations between warmer and colder periods. Daytime temperatures range from 15ºC (59F) in the north and west, to about 12ºC (54F) in the southernmost areas. Nighttime lows range from about 3ºC (37F) in the northeast corner to around 0ºC (32F) or slightly below freezing in many southern and western areas. That being said, northerly winds occasionally bring days of up to 25ºC (77F), while southern winds can keep daytime highs below 5ºC (41F). Nights below -5ºC (23F) are quite common everywhere, with temperatures below -10ºC (14F) possible in most areas. Spring is marked by wide variations and periods of drought followed by severe thunderstorms: it is the season of hail, and it is not uncommon to see temperatures reach 35ºC (95F) on one day, and then fail to reach 15ºC (59F) two days later, with frost possible until October and perhaps later.
Overall, precipitation ranges from about 700 mm in the east/northeast, to 500 mm in the centre (agricultural frontier), and values below 400 mm in the south and west.
Northwestern La Pampa is part of the pampa húmeda, adjacent to the Province of Buenos Aires. The influence of the Cuyo region can be seen in the west, with a low mountain range of 600 meters.
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.
La Pampa, long Argentina's most economically agricultural province, produced an estimated US$3.2 billion in output in 2006, or, US$10,500 per capita (almost 20% above the national average).[1]
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.
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 very little industry, construction or mining and, so, its services sector accounts for over two-thirds of the economy, a fairly high proportion. 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.
The province is divided in 22 departments (Spanish: departamentos).
Department (Capital)
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