Salta

Coordinates: 24°47′S 65°25′W / 24.783°S 65.417°W / -24.783; -65.417
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
This article is about the city in Argentina. For other uses, see Salta (disambiguation).
Salta
City
Clockwise from top left: view of the city from top of San Bernardo Hill; Cathedral of Salta; Victoria Theatre; Ninth of July Plaza; and Colonial Cabildo
Clockwise from top left: view of the city from top of San Bernardo Hill; Cathedral of Salta; Victoria Theatre; Ninth of July Plaza; and Colonial Cabildo
Dialing code
+54 387
ClimateCwb
Websitewww.gobiernodelaciudad.gob.ar

Salta (Spanish: [ˈsalta]) is the capital and largest city in the Argentine province of the same name. With a population of 618,375 according to the 2010 census, it is also the 7th most-populous city in Argentina. The city serves as the cultural and economic center of the Valle de Lerma Metropolitan Area (Spanish: Área Metropolitana del Valle de Lerma, AMVL), which is home to over 50.9% of the population of Salta Province and also includes the municipalities of La Caldera, Vaqueros, Campo Quijano, Rosario de Lerma, Cerrillos, La Merced and San Lorenzo. Salta is the seat of the Capital Department, the most populous department in the province.

History

View of Salta in 1851 by painter Juan Manuel Besnes e Irigoyen

Salta was founded on April 16, 1582, by the Spanish conquistador Hernando de Lerma, who intended the settlement to be an outpost between Lima, Peru and Buenos Aires. The origin of the name Salta is a matter of conjecture, with several theories being advanced to explain it.

During the

Perú and the Argentine cities. Between 1816 and 1821, the city was led by local military leader General Martín Miguel de Güemes, who under the command of General José de San Martín
, defended the city and surrounding area from Spanish forces coming from further north.

Salta emerged from the War of Independence politically in disarray and financially bankrupt, a condition that lingered throughout much of the 19th century. However, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the arrival of

Arab immigrants, particularly Syrians and Lebanese, revived trade and agriculture all over the area while further enhancing the city's multicultural flavor.[2]

Geography

Climate

Salta has a

subtropical highland climate (Cwb, according to the Köppen climate classification), and it is characterized by pleasant weather year-round.[3] Located in the subtropical north, but at an altitude of 1,200 metres, Salta enjoys 4 distinct seasons: summers are warm with frequent thunderstorms, with daytime highs around 26 to 28 °C (78.8 to 82.4 °F) and pleasant, refreshing nights around 15 or 16 °C (59 or 61 °F). Fall brings dry weather, pleasant days at around 22 °C (71.6 °F) and mild nights at around 10 °C (50.0 °F). By winter, the dryness is extreme, with very few rain episodes. Nights are cool at 3 °C (37.4 °F) on average, but daytime heating allows for high temperatures of 19 °C (66.2 °F). Snow is rare and frost is quite common, with temperatures reaching down to −7 °C (19.4 °F) during the coldest nights. Spring brings sunny weather with warm days and mild nights: days range from 25 to 28 °C (77.0 to 82.4 °F) with nights between 10 and 14 °C (50.0 and 57.2 °F). Salta's winters are rather warm for its elevation and far inland position for a location being just outside the tropics
.

Of the over 700 millimetres (28 in) of rain that Salta receives yearly, over 80% falls between December and March, when thunderstorms occur almost daily. During the rest of the year, blue skies dominate the region. Seemingly incessant summer thunderstorms greatly rejuvenate the surrounding mountainous landscape, making the various hills and mountainsides within the vicinity of the city green and lush once again. Salta receives 1863 hours of bright sunshine each year or about 5.1 hours per day.[4] The highest recorded temperature was 39.9 °C (103.8 °F) on November 28, 1972, while the lowest recorded temperature was −9.4 °C (15.1 °F) on August 5, 1966.[5][6]

Climate data for Salta, Argentina (Martín Miguel de Güemes International Airport) 1991–2020, extremes 1873–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 36.4
(97.5) 		35.1
(95.2) 		34.0
(93.2) 		34.3
(93.7) 		34.2
(93.6) 		34.6
(94.3) 		37.2
(99.0) 		37.8
(100.0) 		37.8
(100.0) 		39.3
(102.7) 		39.9
(103.8) 		39.6
(103.3) 		39.9
(103.8)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 27.7
(81.9) 		26.5
(79.7) 		25.1
(77.2) 		22.9
(73.2) 		20.3
(68.5) 		19.8
(67.6) 		19.9
(67.8) 		22.7
(72.9) 		24.7
(76.5) 		26.9
(80.4) 		27.6
(81.7) 		28.4
(83.1) 		24.4
(75.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) 21.5
(70.7) 		20.6
(69.1) 		19.4
(66.9) 		16.8
(62.2) 		13.3
(55.9) 		10.9
(51.6) 		10.1
(50.2) 		12.8
(55.0) 		15.8
(60.4) 		19.3
(66.7) 		20.6
(69.1) 		21.7
(71.1) 		16.9
(62.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 16.8
(62.2) 		16.1
(61.0) 		15.2
(59.4) 		12.2
(54.0) 		8.1
(46.6) 		4.5
(40.1) 		2.9
(37.2) 		4.8
(40.6) 		7.7
(45.9) 		12.1
(53.8) 		14.2
(57.6) 		16.0
(60.8) 		10.9
(51.6)
Record low °C (°F) 6.1
(43.0) 		4.8
(40.6) 		2.2
(36.0) 		−1.5
(29.3) 		−4.6
(23.7) 		−7.5
(18.5) 		−8.7
(16.3) 		−9.4
(15.1) 		−4.5
(23.9) 		−1.3
(29.7) 		1.5
(34.7) 		6.2
(43.2) 		−9.4
(15.1)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 197.1
(7.76) 		147.3
(5.80) 		107.3
(4.22) 		42.1
(1.66) 		9.7
(0.38) 		2.5
(0.10) 		2.7
(0.11) 		2.3
(0.09) 		5.7
(0.22) 		23.9
(0.94) 		59.3
(2.33) 		138.4
(5.45) 		738.3
(29.07)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 15.4 14.4 13.7 7.0 3.8 1.7 1.7 1.5 2.1 5.3 9.0 13.0 88.6
Average snowy days 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.7
Average
relative humidity
(%) 		77.2 80.6 82.9 82.3 80.5 75.6 69.3 60.4 55.8 60.6 66.1 71.5 71.9
Mean monthly sunshine hours 195.3 166.7 158.1 159.0 158.1 171.0 204.6 223.2 210.0 210.8 213.0 217.0 2,286.8
Mean daily sunshine hours 6.3 5.9 5.1 5.3 5.1 5.7 6.6 7.2 7.0 6.8 7.1 7.0 6.3
Percent possible sunshine 46.0 42.4 38.7 47.6 44.3 52.7 61.2 59.9 56.7 52.3 49.6 56.5 50.7
Source 1: Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (percent sun 1991–2000)[7][8][9]
Source 2: Meteo Climat (record highs and lows)[5][10]
Climate data for Salta INTA (located in Cerrillos) 1969–2009
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 37.6
(99.7) 		33.9
(93.0) 		33.9
(93.0) 		33.0
(91.4) 		33.7
(92.7) 		33.5
(92.3) 		36.2
(97.2) 		36.2
(97.2) 		37.4
(99.3) 		37.9
(100.2) 		39.5
(103.1) 		38.0
(100.4) 		39.5
(103.1)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 27.2
(81.0) 		26.1
(79.0) 		24.9
(76.8) 		22.6
(72.7) 		20.5
(68.9) 		19.3
(66.7) 		19.9
(67.8) 		21.9
(71.4) 		23.6
(74.5) 		26.4
(79.5) 		27.3
(81.1) 		27.9
(82.2) 		24.0
(75.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) 21.3
(70.3) 		20.3
(68.5) 		19.4
(66.9) 		16.7
(62.1) 		13.5
(56.3) 		10.9
(51.6) 		10.7
(51.3) 		12.9
(55.2) 		15.4
(59.7) 		18.9
(66.0) 		20.4
(68.7) 		21.4
(70.5) 		16.8
(62.2)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 16.7
(62.1) 		15.9
(60.6) 		15.4
(59.7) 		12.2
(54.0) 		8.2
(46.8) 		4.8
(40.6) 		3.8
(38.8) 		5.4
(41.7) 		8.0
(46.4) 		12.0
(53.6) 		14.3
(57.7) 		16.0
(60.8) 		11.1
(52.0)
Record low °C (°F) 8.9
(48.0) 		5.2
(41.4) 		5.1
(41.2) 		0.4
(32.7) 		−2.9
(26.8) 		−5.3
(22.5) 		−6.8
(19.8) 		−5.1
(22.8) 		−2.6
(27.3) 		0.2
(32.4) 		1.3
(34.3) 		6.8
(44.2) 		−6.8
(19.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 184.6
(7.27) 		131.5
(5.18) 		105.0
(4.13) 		26.8
(1.06) 		7.6
(0.30) 		2.3
(0.09) 		3.4
(0.13) 		3.7
(0.15) 		6.8
(0.27) 		23.7
(0.93) 		60.0
(2.36) 		132.5
(5.22) 		688.0
(27.09)
Average
relative humidity
(%) 		78 80 82 81 79 75 68 61 57 60 66 72 72
Mean monthly sunshine hours 195.3 166.7 151.9 150.0 164.3 168.0 204.6 217.0 210.0 217.0 204.0 207.7 2,256.5
Percent possible sunshine 46 46 40 43 48 53 61 62 58 55 51 49 51
Source:
Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]

Attractions

The city centre features a number of buildings dating back to the 18th and 19th and early 20th centuries. Clockwise around the Ninth of July Square are the neoclassical

Inca civilization, including the mummies of three Inca children
. The Plaza is almost completely surrounded by a gallery.

Within walking distance of the July 9th Square are the Saint Francis Church and the city's three pedestrian streets: Alberdi, Florida and "Caseros". The three blocks in Balcarce street closest to the train station are now the centre of night life in Salta, with restaurants, pubs and cafés on both sidewalks and concerts every night.

Rising in the east is San Bernardo Hill. Its summit, from which visitors can get a view of the city and the entire valley, can be reached by car, cable car or stairway.

  • A cable car (gondola) in Salta near Plaza del Lago
    A cable car (gondola) in Salta near Plaza del Lago
  • The Church of Saint Francis
    The Church of Saint Francis
  • The main cathedral
    The main cathedral
  • Inside the cathedral
    Inside the cathedral
  • Mitre Street
    Mitre Street
  • The Colonial Hotel
    The Colonial Hotel
  • Ninth of July Plaza
    Ninth of July Plaza
  • Corner newsstand in Salta
    Corner newsstand in Salta
  • Waterfountain and paddleboats to rent at Plaza del Lago in Salta
    Waterfountain and paddleboats to rent at Plaza del Lago in Salta

Culture and arts

View of Salta, Northwestern Argentina

Salta is probably the most Spanish city in

Andalucian cities.[citation needed] The local culture, however, is a blend of Spanish and gaucho (mestizo, criollo
, both indigenous and non-indigenous) traditions, lending the city a distinctive identity, somewhat different from the more European-like metropolises to the south.

The city boasts three theatres, several museums (one of which exhibits the perfectly preserved bodies of c. 500 year old

Inca children sacrificed in the Andes to Inca gods[21]
), and a busy calendar of art exhibitions, shows, music festivals, and other cultural events.

One of the main activities in Salta is the April Culture Festival, which lasts the entire month and offers a wide variety of activities such as cultural performances, a handcraft exposition, and live orchestral performances.

Sports

Salta residents, like most Argentines, are very enthusiastic about

Gimnasia y Tiro de Salta, and Central Norte; many faithful fans follow each. These three clubs currently play in the third national division
.

Other locally popular sports include baseball (a game in which Salta players excel nationally[citation needed]), basketball, volleyball, rugby, and mountaineering.

The main sporting venue in Salta is the Padre Ernesto Martearena Stadium; the Gimnasia y Tiro and Juventud Antoniana stadiums also see many athletic matches. The largest roofed facility in the city is the Ciudad de Salta Stadium, chiefly used for basketball, volleyball, and boxing.

Over the last forty years, Salta has played host to such high-profile international sporting events as the

Hockey Champions Challenge. The Argentina national rugby union team, the "Pumas", have played in Salta against Italy (2005),[22] England (2009),[23] (2013),[24] South Africa (2016)[25] and Scotland (2022).[26]
Top football clubs, including Boca Juniors, River Plate and Racing, have played friendly games in Salta in summer, off-season matches.

The city was used as a stage on the route of the 2014 and 2016 Dakar Rally.

Politics of Salta

Salta is governed by a city council of 21 members. Following the elections of November 2013, the Workers' Party has 9 seats, the Justicialist Party has 6 seats, and there are 6 others.[citation needed]

Trivia

Transportation

The city's commercial airline needs are served by

Aerolineas Argentinas, which is Argentina's largest domestic and international air carrier, and low cost airline Flybondi
.

People

See also

References

  • Di Fabio Rocca, Francisco; Albeza, María Virginia; Bárbara Postillone, María; Acreche, Noemí; Lafage, Lucía; Parolín, María Laura; Dejean, Cristina; Carnese, Francisco Raúl; Avena, Sergio (2016). "Historia poblacional y análisis antropogenético de la ciudad de Salta" (PDF). Andes (in Spanish). 27. Salta, Argentina.
    ISSN 0327-1676
    . Retrieved January 28, 2020.

Notes

  1. ^ "TelluBase—Argentina Fact Sheet (Tellusant Public Service Series)" (PDF). Tellusant. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
  2. ISBN 978-0-520-05189-8
    .
  3. ^ "Historia y Geografía" (in Spanish). Municipality of Salta. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  4. ^ "Datos Climáticos de Argentina: Annuales" (in Spanish). Retrieved April 12, 2013.
  5. ^ a b "Station Salta" (in French). Meteo Climat. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  6. ^ "Salta, Salta". Estadísticas meteorológicas decadiales (in Spanish). Oficina de Riesgo Agropecuario. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
  7. ^ "Estadísticas Climatológicas Normales – período 1991–2020" (in Spanish). Servicio Meteorológico Nacional. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  8. ^ "Estadísticas Climatológicas Normales – período 1991–2020" (PDF) (in Spanish). Servicio Meteorológico Nacional. 2023. Archived from the original on 8 July 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  9. doi:10.35537/10915/78367. Archived from the original
    on 9 May 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  10. ^ "87047: Salta Aerodrome (Argentina)". ogimet.com. OGIMET. 17 December 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  11. ^ "Estación Meteorológica (EM) Cerrillos-INTA" (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  12. ^ "Estación Meteorológica (EM) Cerrillos-INTA: Temperatura Máxima Absoluta (°C ) – Periodo 1969– 2009" (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  13. ^ "Estación Meteorológica (EM) Cerrillos-INTA: Temperatura Máxima Media (°C ) – Periodo 1969– 2009" (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  14. ^ "Estación Meteorológica (EM) Cerrillos-INTA: Temperatura Media (°C ) – Periodo 1969– 2009" (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  15. ^ "Estación Meteorológica (EM) Cerrillos-INTA: Temperatura Mínima Media (°C ) – Periodo 1969– 2009" (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  16. ^ "Estación Meteorológica (EM) Cerrillos-INTA: Temperatura Mínima Absoluta (°C ) – Periodo 1969– 2009" (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  17. ^ "Estación Meteorológica (EM) Cerrillos-INTA: Precipitaciones Mensuales Periodo 1969 – 2009" (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  18. ^ "Estación Meteorológica (EM) Cerrillos-INTA: Humdedad Relativa Media (%) Periodo 1969 – 2009" (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  19. ^ "Estación Meteorológica (EM) Cerrillos-INTA: Heliofanía Relativa (Duración relativa del brillo solar) Periodo 1969 – 2009" (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  20. ^ "Estación Meteorológica (EM) Cerrillos-INTA: Heliofanía Efectiva (Duración registrada del brillo solar) Periodo 1969 – 2009" (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  21. ^ "Mummified Inca maiden wows crowds". BBC News. 2007-09-07. Retrieved 2014-04-22.
  22. ^ Argentina v Italy scorecard at Scrum.com
  23. ^ national teams Argentine rugby fans deserve annual Test, by Brendan Gallagher for The Telegraph
  24. ^ "England too strong for Argentina". Espn.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-04-22.
  25. ^ "Argentina v South Africa – Rugby Union". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
  26. ^ "Visitors bounce back with commanding win". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2022-07-13.
  27. ^ "CCA: When the pueblo was Hollywwod". Cca.edu. 2010-02-05. Archived from the original on 2013-07-18. Retrieved 2014-04-22.
  28. ^ U.S.-Argentine Co-productions, 1982–1990, by Tamara L. Falicov (University of Kansas), Page 7, Footnote 18
  29. ^ juliana (2006-07-12). "Robert Duvall's House of Jasmines". Hotelchatter.com. Archived from the original on 2014-09-09. Retrieved 2014-04-22.

External links

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