Santa Catalina (Jujuy)

Santa Catalina

Basic data
location	21 ° 57 ′  S , 66 ° 4 ′  W Coordinates: 21 ° 57 ′  S , 66 ° 4 ′  W
Height above d. M .:	3770  m
Population (2001):	1350
administration
Province :	Jujuy
Department :	Santa Catalina
Mayor:	Joaquín Roque Solís
Others
Postal code :	Y4655
Telephone code:	03887

Santa Catalina is a municipality in the province of Jujuy in the extreme northwest of Argentina , near the border with Bolivia . It is the capital of the department of the same name, Santa Catalina , lies on the Puna at an altitude of 3,770 meters and has 1,350 inhabitants (2001, INDEC ). Santa Catalina can be reached via the Ruta Provincial 5 from La Quiaca . The distance to La Quiaca is 67 kilometers.

climate

The climate is cold and dry with large temperature fluctuations between day and night and little rainfall in summer.

history

Santa Catalina is one of those mining towns of the Puna in Jujuy that emerged in the 17th century and gained a certain importance. On September 8, 1752, the place received its own parish, independent of the one in Cochinoca , to which it belonged until then. The chapels of Rinconada and Talna also belonged to the parish area .

economy

Santa Catalina is a former gold mining town. Even today, gold panning in the river is possible in small, non-industrially usable quantities. The main economic activity for the residents of the place has proven to be the breeding of llamas , sheep and goats , which is mainly practiced today. In addition, peaches , apples and plums grown.

tourism

Apart from a very simple hostel run by the community, there are no accommodation options. There is also a lack of dining options in Santa Catalina.

Architecture and culture

• Iglesia de Santa Catalina (Plaza). Together with the house of the Saravia family, the church from the 17th century forms an architectural ensemble. The three-story, telescopic church tower rises above the entrance door and is ten meters wide, the same width as the church. The vestibule of the church is located under the tower and opens to the 30 meter long nave. The old altars of the church have been replaced by new ones.

• Museo Regional Particular Epifanio Saravia . The museum is housed in the oldest house in town. It belonged to Laureano Saravia, an important provincial politician at the end of the 19th century. In six rooms a collection of regional objects from the life of the Spanish colonizers and the indigenous people is shown, such as old weapons, spearheads, scales, clothing, musical instruments, furniture and gaucho accessories. In the Casa de Cultura next door, the collection is supplemented in four rooms with ceramics, photographs and religious art.

• Biblioteca Popular de Santa Catalina . The highest library in Argentina with a literary treasure of around 7000 works was founded 130 years ago.

Festivals

• Virgen de Chinchillas (August 15). The highlight of the annual festival calendar with procession and traditional music.

Web links

• IFAM Population Statistics (Spanish)
• Enjoy Argentina - Tourist Information (Spanish)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Video report of the Tagesschau from October 6, 2010. ( Memento from October 9, 2010 in the Internet Archive )