Valles Calchaquíes
The Valles Calchaquíes are a chain of connected valleys on the eastern slopes of the Andes in the provinces of Salta , Tucumán and Catamarca . The Ruta Nacional 40 (Argentina) runs through the entire length of the valleys.
Natural space
The region is formed by the valleys of the Río Calchaquí and Río Santa Maria - both tributaries of the Río Guachipas . The boundary of the double valley to the east is formed by the Cuesta del Obispo, the Cumbres de Santa Barbara and the Sierra del Aconquija, which reach their greatest height in the Cerro del Bolsón (5,550 m). To the west, the Sierra de los Pastos Grandes, the Sierra de Cachi, the Sierra de Quilmes and the Sierra del Hombre Muerto separate from the Altiplano , the dominant peak here is the Cumbre del Libertador General San Martin with an altitude of 6,380 m. The bottom of the arid high valley is between around 2,500 meters and around 1,700 meters high near Cafayate , where the Quebrada de las Conchas connects to the Valle de Lerma .
history
At the time of the conquest of what is now northwestern Argentina ( Región Noroeste Argentino ), the valleys were inhabited by the Calchaquí Indians, who were able to shake off Inca rule when Francisco Pizarro conquered the Inca Empire . The geographical isolation of the area meant that it was not until the 17th century that serious efforts were made to subdue the indigenous people of this region. The center of the indigenous culture was the mountain fortress Quilmes , which was not finally conquered by the Spaniards until 1667. In addition to the pacification of the area and the resulting safeguarding of the route between Salta, founded in 1582, and Chile , the focus of Spanish efforts was on gaining new workforce. The number of Spanish and Creole settlers in this remote area remained very low well into the 19th century, the low population density and the dry climate ensured the development of large haciendas .
population
Even today, the indigenous proportion of the population is quite high compared to the whole of Argentina. They mostly belong to the Diaguita - Calchaquíes people , and the proportion of mestizos is above average.
The largest town in the region and its economic center is Cafayate in the south of the Salta province . The Ruta Nacional 68 (Argentina) , which meets the Ruta Nacional 40 here, forms the most important access to the valleys. Other significant places are La Poma, Payogasta - here the Ruta Provincial 33 (Argentina) meets the national road 40 after a spectacular crossing of the Cuesta de Obispo - Cachi , Molinos , Colome, Angastaco and San Carlos - all located in the province of Salta . Colalao del Valle and Amaicha del Valle follow in the province of Tucumán , where the Ruta Provincial 307 from Tafí del Valle connects to the Ruta Nacional 38 (Argentina) . In the province of Catamarca follow Santa María del Yocavil , San José and Punta del Balasto. From here there is a connection with Andalgalá via the partially unpaved Ruta Provincial 47 .
economy
Agriculture is characterized by expanding viticulture (→ viticulture in Argentina ), and the cultivation of paprika is also important. Other products were largely displaced and are now mainly used to cover personal needs. In Criadero Coquera, the Argentine agricultural institute INTA is attempting to breed vicuñas . Alpacas and llamas are kept on the barren slopes and plateaus around the valley , the wool of these New World camels is processed locally and offered for sale.
The tourism which to Cachi, Cafayate and Quilmes concentrated today is equally important.
Attractions
More Attractions:
- Cuesta del Obispo (slope of the bishop) - On the drive from Chicoana to Payogosta, the unsurfaced Ruta Provincial 33 winds almost 1,500 m along a steep slope to the Piedra del Molino (3,348 m) and the Los Cardones National Park .
- Pueblitos (Small Towns) - The towns south of Cachi have their own flair; In April, Angostaco turns red from chili peppers spread out to dry , Tolombon offers pre-Hispanic ruins.
- Quebrada de las Flechas (Gorge of the Arrows) - Light sandstone formations characterize the narrow valley between Angastaco and San Carlos, sometimes giving the image of a lunar landscape.
- Quebrada de las Conchas
The connection of the region to the public transport network is still rudimentary, there are no through buses along the national road 40, which is partly in poor condition.
Web links
- Photos of the Valles Calchaquíes and the Quebrada of Cafayate (German, English, Spanish)