Encyclopedia > San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca
San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca is a city in northwestern Argentina and capital of Catamarca Province, on the Río de Valle Catamarca near the Nevados del Aconquija mountains.
Agriculture is San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca's chief economic activity; however, low rainfall makes irrigation necessary. Cotton and cattle are important economically. Fruit and grapes are grown in the oasis areas near the city. Other local production includes preserves and handwoven ponchos. Many pilgrims come to San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca to visit the Church of the Virgin of the Valley (1694), which contains a statue of Nuestra Señora del Valle (Our Lady of the Valley). An initial settlement, called Londres, was established here by Spanish colonists in 1558; a permanent settlement was not founded until 1683. Population (1991) 132,626.
SanFernandodelValledeCatamarca is a city in northwestern Argentina and capital of Catamarca Province, on the RÃo Valle River, at the feet of the Cerro Ambato.
Catamarca is also the touristic centre of the province, with its colonial architecture, and serves as a hub to many touristic points and excursions, hiking, mountain-bike tours, horse riding, and wine testing.
SanFernando can be also reached by plane to the Felipe Varela airport (IATA: CTC, ICAO: SANC) at coordinates 28° 35′ 12″ S, 65° 45′ 12″ W, located 15 kilometres southeast of the city, that has regular flight to Buenos Aires and La Rioja.