Indio Rico facts for kids

Indio Rico is a small town in the southern part of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. It is part of the Coronel Pringles area.

Where is Indio Rico?

Indio Rico is about 73 kilometers (45 miles) southeast of Coronel Pringles, the main city of the district. It is also 63 kilometers (39 miles) from the city of Tres Arroyos. You can reach the town by taking Provincial Route 85. From there, it's an 11-kilometer (7-mile) drive on a paved road.

What Does the Name "Indio Rico" Mean?

The town's name comes from a nearby creek. This creek is about 7 kilometers (4 miles) away. Its original name in the local language might have been "Quetru Queyu" or "Guetzu-güeyu." These words mean "place of the caldenes," which are a type of tree.

Some researchers believe "Indio Rico" means "rich Indian." This could refer to an ulmen in the Mapuche language. An ulmen was a powerful chief or a wealthy leader.

A Brief History of Indio Rico

The area where Indio Rico now stands had a history of attacks from native Indian groups. One such attack happened on June 14, 1870. The Indians surprised military forces near the Quequén Salado river. Many people were killed, and homes were burned.

Later, in the late 1800s, John P. Alchurrut tried to help the area grow. He started a general industrial factory. On December 7, 1929, the LDS Railways opened the Indio Rico train station. It was used for cargo, passengers, and livestock.

A few months later, on February 19, 1930, the government approved creating a town here. Maria Bernasconi donated land for this purpose. They held an auction to sell 300 plots of land and 58 houses. This helped families settle down and feel safe. Later, another auction sold 418 more plots and 108 houses.

What is the Economy Like?

The main activities in Indio Rico are agriculture (farming) and raising livestock (animals).

Near the town, there's a special "pressure plant" called Indio Rico. It's connected to two large gas pipelines. There's also a pumping station for a major oil pipeline.

How Many People Live Here?

In 2001, a count showed that 1,165 people lived in Indio Rico. This was an increase of 15.6% from the 1991 count, which was 1,008 people.

Education in Indio Rico

The town offers different levels of education. Children can attend preschool, primary school, and secondary school right in Indio Rico.

Sports and Social Life

Indio Rico has two main clubs for sports and social activities:

• The Indio Rico Athletic and Social Club
• The Eleven Hearts Club

These clubs are known for their traditional events. For example, the Eleven Hearts Club organizes "Bucking and Riders." This is a traditional event with horses. The "Traditional Carnival" is also popular. It features parades, barbecues, and art shows. These events happen every year in a place called Rincon Criollo.

The Eleven Hearts Club's main sport is football (soccer). Their team has played in the Tresarroyo Regional League's First Division since 1994. They also play Bochas, which is a game similar to bowls, on their own special courts.

The Indio Rico Athletic and Social Club has a unique sport called Paddle.

Religion in Indio Rico

The Indian monument.

The Our Lady of Carmen church opened in 1940. It has a Byzantine romantic style. The church has a tall tower that is 28 meters (92 feet) high. It is an important landmark in the town.

At the entrance of Indio Rico, there is a shrine dedicated to the Virgen del Carmen. There is also a monument of an Indian sculpture made from wrought iron. It stands 2.1 meters (7 feet) tall.

Local Media

Indio Rico has several local media options:

• Radio Fm Aboriginal 105.3 MHz
• Digital Aboriginal (online news)
• Agricultural Regional Magazine Campo Total (Total Field)
• Cablevision (TV service)

You can also find daily newspapers like:

• La Voz del Pueblo de Tresarroyos (The Voice of Tres Arroyos)
• El Diario de Pringles (The Pringles Daily)
• La Nueva Provincia of Bahia Blanca (The New Province de Bahia Blanca)

See also

In Spanish: Indio Rico para niños