Founded December 20, 1970 Area code(s) +54 0299 Elevation 974 m | CPA Base Q 8319 Climate BWk Population 10,121 (2001) Local time Thursday 8:30 AM | |
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Rincón de los Sauces (English: Place of the willows) is a first category municipality and the capital of Pehuenches Department in Neuquén Province, Argentina.
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Map of Rinc%C3%B3n de Los Sauces, Neuqu%C3%A9n, Argentina
History
The area was first populated by settlers around the end of the 19th and the start of the 20th century, until a flood of the Barrancas River caused the destruction of several buildings and a consequent population decline. After the flood, the main economic activity in the zone was based on cattle farming. YPF, then the state oil concern, discovered petroleum under Puesto Hernández in 1965, and subsequently, the population grew rapidly. Officially chartered on December 20, 1970, the town is named for the willow trees (sauce) that abound in the region. Mejor traducción al Ingles de Rincón de los Sauces debe ser: "Willows's Corner"
Economy
The town has been declared the National Energy Capital due to its having 50% of the proven reserves of oil and natural gas in Argentina. The town is served by a regional airport. Here lived among others Juan Pablo Gambeta, famous athlete in the region.