El Mollar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
El Mollar
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City
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Aerial view of El Mollar
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| Country | Argentina |
| Province | Tucumán |
| Department | Tafí del Valle |
| Elevation | 2,137 m (7,011 ft) |
| Population
(2001)
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| • Total | 3,795 |
| Area code(s) | 03867 |
El Mollar is a small town located in the Tucumán Province in northern Argentina. It is a beautiful place known for its rich history and stunning natural scenery. The town is part of the Tafí del Valle Department, found in the western part of Tucumán. It's about 103 kilometers (64 miles) away from San Miguel de Tucumán, the capital city of the province.
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What's in a Name?
The name “El Mollar” comes from the Quechua language. It refers to the molle tree, also known as the pepper tree. This type of tree grows naturally in the area around El Mollar.
Exploring El Mollar's Geography
El Mollar is nestled in the middle of the Tafí valley. It sits at the foot of the Ñuñorco hill. The town is also right next to the artificial Angostura Lake. Since a new road was built in the 1940s, El Mollar and the entire Tafí valley have grown quite a bit.
Ancient History and Menhirs
One of the most special things about El Mollar is its ancient history. You can find many old stone relics from the Tafí culture here. This culture lived in the area between 300 BC and 800 AD. They were part of a larger group called the Diaguita or Santamaria culture.
These relics include stone tools for grinding, stone piles called cairns, and large standing stones called menhirs. Scientists believe these menhirs might have been used to track the stars or as giant sun clocks. They could also have shown who was important in the community.
Originally, these huge stones were scattered across the valley. But in the late 1970s, they were all moved to one spot. Now, you can see them together in the Parque de los Menhires (Menhirs Park), near the village. This was done to help protect them from damage. Some of these stones are as tall as 3 meters (10 feet) and about 60 centimeters (2 feet) wide. Some even have carvings of snakes and human figures!
Religious Sites
In 1960, a special statue of the Virgin of Covadonga was brought to El Mollar from Spain. Today, people visit and worship this statue in a charming chapel in the town.
Angostura Lake: Fun and Nature
Very close to El Mollar is the beautiful artificial Angostura Lake. This lake stretches all the way to the town of Tafí del Valle. It's surrounded by mountains, which are often covered in snow. The lake is a popular spot for fishing and enjoying water sports.
Local Celebrations
Every January, El Mollar celebrates the "Feast of Vegetation." It's a time to celebrate the plants and nature of the region.
Earthquakes in Tucumán
Earthquakes happen often in the Tucumán province, where El Mollar is located. Most of them are not very strong. However, bigger earthquakes can occur about every 30 years. Some notable earthquakes in the region happened in 1861 and 1931.
See also
In Spanish: El Mollar para niños
