Jujuy Province

Jujuy is a province located in the extreme northwest of Argentina.

It sits at the borders of both Chile and Bolivia. To its east and south, it shares a border with the Argentine province of Salta. The province is a place of great geographic variety. It contains high plateaus, deep canyons, and lush jungles. This diversity makes it a vital part of the South American landscape.

The geography of Jujuy is defined by three distinct areas. The first is the Altiplano. This is a high plateau that covers most of the province. The second area is the Quebrada de Humahuaca. This is a canyon carved by the Río Grande. It features striking heights and colorful landforms.

The third area consists of the sierras in the southeast. These hills descend toward the Gran Chaco region. These different elevations create many different climates. Some areas are very dry, while others are quite wet.

Climate and vegetation vary significantly across these zones. Much of the province is arid or semi-desertic. This includes the Salinas Grandes salt mines. However, the El Ramal valley of the San Francisco River is more temperate. The subtropical Yungas jungle provides a green, wet contrast to the deserts.

Water plays a major role in shaping the land. The Río Grande and the San Francisco River both flow into the Bermejo River. Other rivers, like the San Juan and La Quiaca, flow into the Pilcomayo River. Precipitation is scarce outside of the temperate river valleys.

Human history in Jujuy stretches back to pre-Columbian times. The Omaguacas and Ocloyas were the original inhabitants. They practiced agriculture and domesticated the guanaco. These groups lived in mud huts and built stone fortresses. One such site is the Pucará de Tilcara. The word "pucará" means fortress. Later, the Incas conquered these indigenous groups during their expansion. The name "Jujuy" itself comes from the word "xuxuyoc." This was a term for an Inca provincial governor.

Spanish influence changed the region during the 16th century. In 1593, Francisco de Argañaraz y Murguía helped establish a settlement. This settlement became the city of San Salvador de Jujuy. The area faced many conflicts during the wars for independence. During the May Revolution, the province saw many battles. General Manuel Belgrano led the Jujuy Exodus. This was a massive evacuation using a scorched earth policy. After these struggles, Jujuy declared autonomy from Tucumán and Salta on November 18, 1834.

The economy of Jujuy is quite diversified. In 2006, the economy was valued at approximately US$2.998 billion. Agriculture contributes about 10% to the total output. Sugarcane is the most important crop. Its processing accounts for over half of the province's gross production. Jujuy also produces 30% of Argentina's total sugar. Tobacco is another major crop grown in the southeastern valley. The province is also a major producer of iron. This supports the Altos Hornos Zapla steel mill.

Mining is a critical industrial sector for the province. Jujuy is part of the "Lithium Triangle." This region includes northwest Argentina, Bolivia, and northeast Chile. Together, they hold more than half of the world's lithium supply. Specific mines like Salar de Olaroz and Salinas Grandes extract lithium brine. Other mining activities include petroleum extraction at Caimancito. The province also produces salt and construction materials. Paper production is also significant, using local forests. This industry provides 20% of the province's industrial products.

Modern challenges exist alongside these industries. The Colla people have lived in Jujuy for centuries. They practice subsistence living by farming with llamas and goats. Recently, thirty-three villages have united to oppose lithium extraction. They argue that the process requires too much water. In 2019, 10 billion liters of water were pumped from a 450-meter depth. This was done for use in solar ponds. Local groups claim that chemical residuals like lye contaminate the air. This dust can cause eye irritation or blindness in llamas.

Tourism is a growing part of the local economy. Many visitors come to see the Quebrada de Humahuaca. This site was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. Tourists often visit the Cerro de los Siete Colores. Others explore the Calilegua National Park in the Yungas jungle. The province is divided into 16 departments for government administration. The local government includes an executive, a legislative, and a judiciary branch. The Gobernador Horacio Guzmán International Airport helps connect the province to the rest of the country.