Choele Choel | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 39°16′S 65°41′W / 39.267°S 65.683°W | |
Country | Argentina |
Province | Río Negro |
Established | July 9, 1879 |
Government | |
• Intendente | Daniel Rubén Belloso |
Elevation | 118 m (388 ft) |
Population (2010 census [INDEC]) | |
• Total | 10,642 |
CPA Base | R8360 |
Climate | BSk |
Website | http://www.munichoelechoel.com.ar/ |
Choele Choel is the capital of the department of Avellaneda in the Argentine province of Río Negro, and the most important settlement within the Valle Medio ("Middle Valley") agricultural area of the Río Negro River in Patagonia
Choele Choel, with a population of 10,791 (2001 census [INDEC]), is located at the intersection of the National Routes #22 and #250, around 1000 kilometres from Buenos Aires, 180 from General Roca, 193 from the Las Grutas beach resort, and 460 from Puerto Madryn.
Its long distance bus terminal is a common stop for buses going to both sea-side Patagonia (Puerto Madryn, Río Gallegos, Ushuaia) and North-Andean Patagonia (Bariloche, El Bolsón).
During the 1990s, the airport used to serve regular flights to Buenos Aires, but currently serves only infrequent private charters.
Originally named Nicolás Avellaneda, it was founded on July 9, 1879 by General . After a flood, the inhabitants moved to a place known as Pampa de los Molinos. They would stay there until Match 18, 1882, when the settlement was moved to its current location.
The town acquired special importance during the Conquest of the Desert, when the border between the white man and the Native Americans was pushed south the shore of the Río Negro River.