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Chubut Province

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Chubut is a province located in southern Argentina. It sits between the Andes mountain range to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.

Numbered Chubut departments
Numbered Chubut departments

The province is bounded by the 42nd parallel south to the north, bordering Río Negro. To the south, it borders Santa Cruz Province at the 46th parallel south. The name Chubut comes from the Tehuelche word for "transparent." This name was used to describe the Chubut River.

Lago Cholila - Argentina
Lago Cholila - Argentina

The geography of Chubut consists of three distinct environmental regions. The first region is the Andes in the westernmost part of the province. These mountains are of tertiary origin. They are separated by wide, deep transverse valleys that run east to west. These valleys contain glacial lakes and rivers. The lakes formed during the last ice age. Glaciers moved across the land and created deep depressions. These depressions eventually filled with water. The highest peak in the province is Cerro Dos Picos. It is located east of Lago Cholila and reaches a height of 2,312 meters.

Los Altares, Chubut, Argentina
Los Altares, Chubut, Argentina

The second region is the central plains. This area is characterized by an arid climate. The summers are hot and sunny, while the winters are cold. The third region is the coastal area along the Atlantic Ocean. This region is the mildest in the province. It has the warmest annual mean temperatures. The coast acts as a transition between temperate climates in the north and colder climates in the south. In the summer, subtropical air and the warm Brazil Current can reach as far south as the 46th parallel.

Beach at Rada Tilly, Chubut, Argentina 2008
Beach at Rada Tilly, Chubut, Argentina 2008

History in Chubut involves many different groups of people. For thousands of years, nomadic Tehuelche people lived as hunter-gatherers. They followed seasonal cycles to find game. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Spanish missionaries arrived. They founded the San José Fort on Península Valdés. Later, Welsh settlers arrived on the ship Mimosa in 1865. They settled in the Chubut Valley. Between 1895 and 1915, many immigrants from Spain and Italy arrived. They settled in the lower Chubut valley. Some Boer people also settled in the town of Sarmiento.

Casa de Gobierno del Chubut
Casa de Gobierno del Chubut

The political status of the area changed over time. Chile and Argentina disputed the region until 1881. Chile eventually renounced its claim. In 1884, Argentina organized the National Territory of Chubut. This happened after the last indigenous cacique, Inacayal, surrendered. In 1944, the southern part of the province became the Comodoro Rivadavia Military Zone. This zone was dissolved in 1955. At that time, Chubut was officially declared a province.

Victorio Angelelli 08
Victorio Angelelli 08

Chubut has a significant economy based on natural resources. Mining and petroleum are very important. In 2006, these sectors generated nearly one-quarter of the province's US$4.652 billion output. Petroleum refining is a major activity. It produces 13% of all oil in Argentina. In 2014, researchers discovered unconventional oil and gas in the Golfo San Jorge basin. The province also produces 21% of the fish catch in Argentina. Sheep ranching remains important at the local level. Wool production reached 71,000 tons in 2006.

Climate patterns in Chubut are shaped by wind and mountains. The Andes block moisture from the Pacific Ocean. This causes most precipitation to fall on the western slopes. Consequently, most of the province is dry. The central parts receive an average of only 160 mm of precipitation per year. Wind is a defining characteristic of the entire province. It comes from the west, southwest, or northwest. Strong winds increase evapotranspiration, which makes the land even drier. The coast is the warmest region, while the Andes are the coldest.

Koppen-Geiger Map v2 ARG Chubut 1991–2020
Koppen-Geiger Map v2 ARG Chubut 1991–2020

Population in Chubut has grown steadily over the last several decades. In 1970, the population was 190,000. By 2022, the population reached 592,621. Most people live in the main cities. Comodoro Rivadavia is the largest city with 199,369 inhabitants. Other important cities include Trelew and Puerto Madryn. The administrative capital is Rawson. Most of the population is concentrated in these urban areas. Many people also live along the banks of the Chubut River.

Chubut - Esquel
Chubut - Esquel
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🖼️ Images & Media (10)
File:Victorio Angelelli 08.jpg
Victorio Angelelli 08.jpg
File:Casa de Gobierno del Chubut.jpg
Casa de Gobierno del Chubut.jpg
File:Molino NantFach.jpg
Molino NantFach.jpg
File:Koppen-Geiger Map v2 ARG Chubut 1991–2020.svg
Koppen-Geiger Map v2 ARG Chubut 1991–2020.svg
File:Lago Cholila - Argentina.jpg
Lago Cholila - Argentina.jpg
File:Los Altares, Chubut, Argentina.jpg
Los Altares, Chubut, Argentina.jpg
File:Chubut - Esquel.jpg
Chubut - Esquel.jpg
File:Beach at Rada Tilly, Chubut, Argentina 2008.jpg
Beach at Rada Tilly, Chubut, Argentina 2008.jpg
File:Southern right whale10.jpg
Southern right whale10.jpg
File:Numbered Chubut departments.gif
Numbered Chubut departments.gif
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