Bell Ville facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bell Ville
City
Nickname(s):  Bell Ville
Bell Ville Location in Argentina Show map of Argentina Bell Ville Location in Córdoba Province Show map of Córdoba Province
Country	Argentina
Province	Córdoba
Department	Unión
Area
• Total	41.77 km2 (16.13 sq mi)
Elevation	130 m (430 ft)
Population  (2010 census)
• Total	33,835
• Density	810.03/km2 (2,097.97/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC−3 (ART)
CPA base	X2550
Dialing code	+54 3537

Bell Ville is a city in Córdoba Province, Argentina. It is about 200 km southeast of Córdoba, the capital city. Bell Ville is located where important roads and a railway meet. It is also the main city of the Unión Department.

Long ago, a friar (a type of religious person) died here. No one knew his name or where he was from. So, the area was first called "Fraile Muerto," which means "Dead Friar."

Bell Ville is in a green, flat area called the Humid Pampas. It sits along the Ctalamochita River (also known as Río Tercero). The city is 200 km from Córdoba and 200 km from Rosario. A big railway line, the General Bartolomé Mitre Railway, also goes through Bell Ville. This line connects Córdoba with Buenos Aires through Rosario.

Bell Ville is known for its farms, which grow crops like soybeans, wheat, and maize. They also raise cattle. A special local industry is making footballs. Bell Ville is proud to be called the "National Capital of the Football."

What is the Population of Bell Ville?

In 2010, the population of Bell Ville was 34,439 people. This was a 7.4% increase from the 2001 count of 32,066 people.

How Has the Population Changed Over Time?

In 1779, the area, then called Fraile Muerto, had 1,682 people. Most were Spaniards (57%), followed by Mulattos (25%).

From 1866, many English, Scottish, and Irish immigrants arrived. They came because the railway was being built and land was good and cheap. After a war ended in 1868, more people moved to the area.

Around 1880, many Italians and Spaniards came by train. However, after 1991, especially when a large meat factory closed in 1998, the city's population growth slowed down.

When Was Bell Ville Founded?

The first Europeans came to this area in 1529. They were part of an expedition led by Francisco César. They met the Litines, a local group of people.

In 1584-1585, a friar died here, which is why the place was called Fraile Muerto. In 1585, an expedition marked a route between Córdoba and Buenos Aires. They put a marker at Fraile Muerto where the river was easy to cross.

In the early 1800s, the area saw many conflicts. The city really started to grow in the 1860s when the Central Argentine Railroad was built. This railway connected Buenos Aires with Córdoba.

In 1870, the president, Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, visited. He stopped at the "Dead Friar" railway station and decided to change its name. He named it Bell Ville to honor Antonio and Ricardo Bell, Scottish settlers who started modern farming there. By 1872, the whole town was called Bell Ville.

Many immigrants from Europe arrived in the late 1800s. Bell Ville officially became a city on August 17, 1908.

Location of Unión Department in Córdoba Province

What is Bell Ville's Economy Like?

Bell Ville has a strong economy based on farming and industry. Farmers grow crops like soybeans, wheat, and sunflowers. They also raise cattle.

The city has factories that process food and make metal products. Many companies here make farm machinery. Bell Ville is also famous for making soccer balls. There are 11 companies that make soccer balls, and the biggest one employs about 30 people and hires 150 seamstresses.

In 2000, the city created an "Industrial Pole Bell Ville" to attract more businesses. In 2008, Bell Ville had 172 small and medium-sized industries and 1,040 businesses.

Who Are the Governors of Bell Ville?

The city of Bell Ville has had many leaders over the years. Here is a list of some of them:

What Education is Available in Bell Ville?

Bell Ville has many schools and learning centers for all ages.

Primary Schools

Secondary Schools

Universities and Higher Education

Other Learning Centers

Bell Ville's Municipal Children's Band

The Municipal Children's Band started on October 31, 1938. It was led by Ernesto Bianchi, who was born in Italy. A special tax helped pay for the band.

In 1955, the school was named after Ernesto Bianchi. Today, the band has 97 musicians.

The Children's Home

The Children's Home opened on September 11, 1966. It was in a building given by the local church. It cared for 20 children.

Later, the Lions Club built a bigger building, which opened in 1979. This allowed them to care for 80 children. The Children's Home helps kids aged 3 to 14. They get healthy meals, learn good behavior, and receive medical help. The home also supports children with their schoolwork.

Bellvillense Union of Secondary Students (UBES)

UBES was founded in 1948. Its goal is to help young people become future leaders. This group is very important in Bell Ville and is unique in Argentina.

The students who run UBES are usually under 17. UBES shows what young people can do when they are given important jobs. UBES organizes fun events like mini-UBES competitions, cultural activities, and sports. They also host dances for Friendship Day and students.

What Healthcare Services are in Bell Ville?

The Central Hospital in Bell Ville opened on August 7, 1921. It was later named Dr. José Ceballos Hospital, after its first director. It is the main hospital for the city and the Unión Department.

The hospital has different sections for patients. These include areas for children, new mothers, and babies. There are also sections for injuries, intensive care, and surgery. The hospital also helps people with mental health needs.

The city also has smaller clinics called municipal dispensaries. These provide quick first aid to everyone. There are also private clinics like "Clínica Mayo" and "Clínica Unión."

How is Safety and Security in Bell Ville?

Bell Ville has branches of the Argentine Federal Police and the Provincial Police. The Provincial Police station also has a prison.

In 2009, Bell Ville started a Citizen Security department. This team has two vehicles with one city police officer and one provincial police officer in each. They work at night to help prevent robberies. Security cameras were also put in a new children's park to stop vandalism and crime.

What is the Climate Like in Bell Ville?

Bell Ville has a mild climate. The average temperature each year is 17°C. The highest average temperature is 25°C, and the lowest average is 9°C. The city gets about 800 mm of rain each year.

What is the Geography of Bell Ville?

Bell Ville is in the Humid Pampas region. The Tercero River (also called Ctalamochita River) flows through the city for about 10 km. Medium-sized boats can travel on the river.

What Sports are Popular in Bell Ville?

Bell Ville has several sports clubs. These clubs play in the Bellvillense Football League, which is based in the city. Teams from nearby towns also play in this league.

Some of the main clubs in Bell Ville are:

• Club Atlético y Biblioteca Bell: Founded in 1904. Their stadium, Ciudad de Bell Ville, can hold 8,100 fans. Their uniform has black and white stripes.
• Club Atlético Talleres: Started in 1926. Their uniform has red and blue stripes.
• Club Atlético Argentino: Founded in 1910. Their uniform has light blue and white stripes.
• Club Atlético Central: Started in 1922. Their uniform is red.
• Club Atlético y Biblioteca River Plate: Founded in 1923. This club is named after the famous River Plate club in Buenos Aires. But their uniform is blue with a yellow stripe, like Boca Juniors, River Plate's rival.

Bell Ville has also hosted the Five-pin billiards World Championship twice, in 1968 and 1978.

What Can You Do for Fun in Bell Ville?

Even though Bell Ville is known for farming and factories, it has fun things to do, especially by the river. The river flows through the city center.

Places to Visit

• Parque Tau: This park has beaches called Playa Paso de la Arena and Playa El Diquecito. In summer, lifeguards are on duty, and there are bars. Playa El Diquecito also has a ramp for boats and jet skis.
• Hotel de Inmigrantes (1887): This is a historical building.
• Church of La Inmaculada Concepción (1870): Another historical building.
• Casa de La Cultura (1873): Also known as "Casa de los Araya."
• Palacio Municipal (1944): The city hall building.
• Hospital Primero de Bell Ville (1890): The first hospital building.
• Cine Teatro Coliseo (1900): A historic cinema and theater.
• Natural Reserve Parque Francisco Tau: A small area of original native forests.

Monuments to See

Bell Ville has several monuments:

• "El Ancla": An anchor monument.
• Monument to Mothers: A statue honoring mothers.
• Statue of Liberty: A copy of an old fountain.
• Monument to Firefighters: Honoring firefighters.
• Pyramid Ascasubi: In honor of Hilario Ascasubi, a poet born in the city.
• Monument in remembrance of the Falklands War: Remembering a war.

Canoeing

Bell Ville has a canoeing club that started in the late 1960s. Members can keep their canoes or borrow them at the club. It's right in Parque Tau, so you can easily get to the Tercero River.

City Anniversary

Bell Ville was never officially founded on a specific date. But after looking at history, the city decided to celebrate its founding on November 9, 1676. Every year, there's a parade with local groups like firefighters and schools. There are also concerts and fireworks.

Aquarama Festival

The Aquarama Festival happens at Parque Tau, on Playa Paso de la Arena. The city brought back this festival in 2011 after 31 years. More than ten thousand people come to the two-day event. It features local bands and famous artists. There's also a competition to crown the Aquarama Queen, and it ends with amazing fireworks.

The Soccer Ball from Bell Ville

Before 1930, soccer balls were made of animal hides and were bumpy. This could cause injuries. Romano Polo and his friends Antonio Tossolini and Juan Valbonessi had an idea for a smooth, round ball. They patented their design as "SUPERBALL." This new ball changed soccer around the world. Because of this, Bell Ville is known as the "birthplace of the soccer ball."

National Soccer Ball Festival

Bell Ville hosts the National Soccer Ball Festival. This event brings together famous soccer teams. It includes talks, displays, contests, parades, music, and a big fireworks show.

In 2008, the festival was from February 20 to 24. Under-17 teams from Buenos Aires and Córdoba played. Teams from Bell Ville also participated.

Rally Ciudad de Bell Ville

In 2008, Bell Ville started hosting the Rally Ciudad de Bell Ville. This car rally was part of the provincial championship. It lasted three days, with one day for showing the cars and two days for racing.

What Media is Available in Bell Ville?

Television

Bell Ville has a local TV channel. It broadcasts local news called "Panorama." Other shows include "Popular TV" (music) and "Contacto Rural" (farming news).

Big channels from Córdoba, like Teleocho, Canal 10, and El Doce, also have repeaters in Bell Ville.

Radio

There are many FM radio stations in Bell Ville, including:

• 90.3 MHz - MEGA "Mucha + Música"
• Cadena 3 FM 102.9
• Estación 95 FM 91.5
• Estación Popular FM 98.3
• Radio Ciudad FM 89.9
• Radio Alegría 99.9
• Radio María 90.9
• FM Latina 93.5
• FM Hot 95.5
• Radio Bell Ville 99.1
• FM 2000 103.9
• Radio Vida 106.7
• La Hormiga 107.5

Print Media

The main newspaper is "Semanario Tribuna," which sells 3,000 copies each week. There's also a free monthly newspaper called "Zona Sur." Bell Ville also has online newspapers like Informabellville and Diario Marca.

Who are Some Famous People from Bell Ville?

• Poet and writer Hilario Ascasubi
• Footballer Mario Kempes
• Footballer Hugo Curioni
• Goalkeeper Mauricio Caranta
• Footballer Silvio Carrario
• Footballer Osvaldo Ardiles
• Footballer Hernán Barcos
• Tennis player Pedro Cachín

Does Bell Ville Have Sister Cities?

Yes, Bell Ville has two sister cities:

• Yongkang, China (since 2004)
• Bricherasio, Italy (since 1998)

Images for kids

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  Day 1, Car Presentation and Rally Opening.

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  Day 2, RP 3 South Stage - Road to Arenal.

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  Day 3, Mainero Factory Stage - RP 3 North.

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  Logo.

See also

In Spanish: Bell Ville para niños