La Pampa Province

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**La Pampa**
Coat of Arms
Capital	Santa Rosa
Area	143,440 km²
Population	299,294 (2001)
Density	2.0/km²
Governor	Ing. Carlos Alberto Verna
Demonym	Pampeano
ISO 3166-2	AR-L

La Pampa is a province of Argentina, located in the Pampas in the centre of the country. Neighboring provinces are from the north clockwise San Luis, Córdoba, Buenos Aires, Río Negro, Neuquén and Mendoza.

1 History
2 Geography and climate
3 Economy
4 Political division
5 External links

[edit] History

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 ceased not before the Julio Roca's infamous 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, after Juan Perón, were renamed back to their original names.

[edit] Geography and climate

In the middle of the Pampas region, the low flat lands steppe receives 500 mm of rain a year, diminishing towards the West. The little humidity in the temperate weather results in a high contrast in temperature between day and night, what is also reflected in the vegetation.

The Northwest, is part of the Humid Pampas, next to the Buenos Aires Province. Also the influence of the Cuyo region can be seen to the west, with a low mountain range of 600 meters.

There are only 2 main rivers in the province: the Colorado on the border with the Río Negro Province, and the Salado River ("Salty River") crossing it. The Salado's level has being dropping, as its tributaries in the Mendoza Province are used for irrigation.

[edit] Economy

La Pampa's most important economical activity is cattle, with 3,632,684 (2002) head, which takes place all over the province. Other livestock include 202,428 sheep, 140,498 goat and 64,118 pig.

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.

Tourism is an undeveloped activity. 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.