About Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a province of Argentina located in the south of the country, in the Patagonia. It borders to the north with the province of Chubut, on the west and south with the Republic of Chile and to the East with the Atlantic Ocean.

The Tehuelches Indians inhabited these lands before the arrival of the Spanish colonization. In 1520 Fernando Magallanes arrived to what is known today as Gulf of San Julián. By the first half of the 20th century, the Jesuits settled in the region establishing a few missions. A new colony was founded on 1780 next to the actual Puerto Deseado.

Between 1825 and 1836 there a series of explorations of the regions took place, among other the one lead by Charles Darwin in 1834.

By the beginning of the 20th century, a vast European immigration began to arrive to the almost uninhabited zone; Spanish, Germans, Englishmen and Slavs were the most numerous among the immigrants.

Geography and Climate

The scenery of Santa Cruz presents three types of different sectors: In the South of the province, departing from the basin of river Santa Cruz a humid zone spreads with prairies and pastures that stretch up to Estecho de Magallanes.

At the center there is the extra Andean region predominating over the lower relief of plateaus which diminish their height towards the East. The Laguna Carbon is the deepest depression of America (105 m under the level of the sea).

At the West is the Andean region, which is characterized by the mountain range of the Andes, called Patagonian Andes. In this region the mountain range shows minor height, covered with snow during the whole year. The highest is the Chaltén Mountain (Fitz Roy) with 3.405 meters. There are also big lakes as the Lake Viedma, Lago Argentino and Lago San Martin, crossed by icebergs which become detached from the big glaciers of the Patagonian Ices during the summer. The well-known National Park Los Glaciares, and the National Park Perito Moreno are found in this region.

The climate of the region is arid, with scarce precipitations and with low temperatures during almost the whole year, determining the characteristics of a semidesert region.

The zone of river Santa Cruz (also called Pampas of Diana) is benefited by a moderate climate thanks to the strong oceanic influence. A typical characteristic of the climate of the province is the constant blow of winds proceeding from the Pacific Ocean.

The East coast of the province is the Argentine Sea on the Atlantic Ocean, with extensive beaches and cliffs of up to 300 meters high. An important source of water for the area originates in the snows of the Andes and other minor mountain chains. The water coming from the melted ices floods Andean Valleys created by the advance and regression of the glaciers forming extensive lakes that constitute the water storage of Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz Seaside

the National Route No 3 runs along the Atlantic coast. This is the most southern province of the continental Patagonian territory and the second one in extension in Argentina. It has an extensive seaside and in its central part is featured by wide plateaus.

Rio Gallegos, the capital of the province, is located by the river bearing the same name and displays different types of commercial activities.

Its closenes to the coast allow to take from there different recreation activities and excursions such as Puente Guer Aike for fishing, Punta Loyola, port of deep waters; the Blue Lagoon Natural Reserve, the petroleum bases of El Condor and Cerro Redondo; Cabo Virgenes, the most southern continental point of the country, where the town Nombre de Jesus was founded in 1584.

Caleta Olivia is a city that thanks to the oceanic influence possesses a very benevolent climate in summer and moderately cold in winter. The coastal strip has excellent beaches to enjoy aquatic sports and recreation activities. Caleta Olivia is provided with amusement and recreation services for nautical sports.

From Puerto Deseado it is possible to visit, the Grout of Lourdes, the Penguin Island, the natural reserves of Rio Deseado, Cabo Blanco and Laura Bay.

In Puerto San Julian are the ruins of Florida Blanca, the remains of a town which importance is linked with the petroleum exploitation.

From there depart excursions to Puerto Santa Cruz and Puerto Punta Quilla for the sightseeing of a colony of penguins. In The Lobería and island Monte Leon can be spotted seals and marine lions and penguins and there are beaches resorts with places for camping, recreation and leisure activities.

Located in Santa Cruz river near Piedra Buena there is a special place for tranquility and nature enjoyment, the Isla Pavon and the Hosteria Municipal for accommodation.

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