Morteros facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Morteros
City
Morteros Location in Argentina
Country	Argentina
Province	Córdoba
Department	San Justo
Population  (2010)
• Total	16,890
Demonym(s)	mortero/a
Time zone	UTC−3 (ART)
CPA base	X2421
Dialing code	+54 03562

Morteros is a city in the Córdoba Province of Argentina. It is located in the northeast part of the province, within the San Justo Department.

Morteros is an important city in its region. It is found near where two main roads, RP 1 and RP 17, meet. It is also close to the ferrocarril Central Argentino railway.

The city of Morteros is about 210 kilometers (130 miles) from Córdoba, the capital city of the province. It is also about 155 kilometers (96 miles) from Santa Fe.

Geography and Climate

Morteros is located about 17 kilometers (11 miles) from the eastern shore of Mar Chiquita, a large lake.

The area around Morteros is a special zone called an ecotone. This means it's a place where two different types of environments meet. Here, the humid Humid Pampa region meets the drier Gran Chaco region.

Weather in Morteros

The temperature in Morteros usually ranges between 12°C (54°F) and 30°C (86°F). The average temperature for the year is about 23°C (73°F).

The first time the temperature drops below freezing (frost) usually happens around March 21. The last frost of the year is typically around September 5. Morteros gets about 700 millimeters (28 inches) of rain each year.

Local Plants and Trees

The plants and trees that grow naturally in this area include the chañar tree and the tala tree. You might also see Quebracho trees, caranday palm trees, and yatay palm trees.

History of Morteros

Before the Spanish explorers arrived in the 1500s, the land where Morteros now stands was home to indigenous groups. These groups included the Sanavirónes and the Mocovíes.

The Fortress of Los Morteros

In the 1700s, the Spanish built a fort called Los Morteros. This fort was built on a rocky area. Its main job was to protect the land around it. The fort was also on a different path that led to the mining area of Potosí in Peru. It was used as a place for trading goods.

After the May Revolution in Argentina, the indigenous people took back control of the fort and the local area. Even though most of the Sanavirónes were gone, the Mocovíes and Abipones moved into the region. Later, European Argentines fought back and took the land again in the mid-1800s. During this time, the indigenous population faced many challenges and their numbers greatly decreased.

Growth of the City

In 1891, the first railway line reached Morteros. The railway brought many new people to the area. These were mostly immigrants from different parts of Italy, such as Piamonte, Friuli, and Toscana. Morteros officially became a city in 1965.

Economy and Industry

The economy in the Morteros area is mostly based on farming. Farmers here grow a lot of maize (corn) and produce many dairy products like milk and cheese.

Local Production

In 1952, a company in Morteros started making Aero Boero airplanes. These planes were mainly used for spraying crops and for training pilots. Other factories in the city also make farm machines and large refrigerators for industrial use.

In the 1990s, farmers in the area started growing much more soya, alfalfa (a type of plant used for animal feed), and sorghum (another grain).

Tourism

There is not much tourism in the Morteros region itself. However, some visitors come to see the nearby Mar Chiquita Lake, which is also known as Laguna Ansenuza.

Community and Education

Morteros has several places for learning and fun.

• Museum: The city has a regional museum where you can learn about the local history and culture.
• University: It is home to the Instituto Universitario Aeronáutico (Aeronautical University Institute), which is a place for higher education.
• Societies: There are local groups like the Fortin Society, which celebrates gaucho traditions. There is also the Rural Society of Morteros, which supports local farming.
• Sports Clubs: Sports fans can enjoy activities at clubs like 9 de Julio de Morteros and Tiro Federal de Morteros.
• Entertainment: The city has a cinema where you can watch movies, including 3D films. There is also a large casino.
• Schools: Morteros has several schools, including the Cristo Rey college/institute.

See also

In Spanish: Morteros (ciudad) para niños