Punta Alta facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Punta Alta
City
Panoramic View of Punta Alta
Punta Alta Location in Argentina
Country	Argentina
Province	Buenos Aires
Partido	Coronel Rosales
Founded	2 July 1898
Elevation	2 m (7 ft)
Population  (2010 census [INDEC])
• Total	58,315
CPA Base	B 8109
Area code(s)	+54 2932
Website	Official website: http://www.muncrosales.gov.ar/

Punta Alta is a city in Argentina. It is located about 25 kilometers (15 miles) southeast of Bahía Blanca. The city has a population of around 58,315 people. It is the main city of the Coronel Rosales Partido. Punta Alta was founded on July 2, 1898.

The city is very close to the Atlantic Ocean. It is next to the Port Belgrano Naval Base, which is the home of Argentina's Navy fleet. A lot of the city's activities are connected to this Naval Base, which is the biggest in Argentina. The base does military work and also helps with other tasks, like maintaining ships in its dry docks.

In the early 1900s, Punta Alta started to grow its economy in other ways. French companies invested a lot of money here. In 1903, a railway was planned to connect the port of Rosario to Punta Alta. This railway would help ship grain. A company called Compagnie du Chemin de Fer de Rosario Puerto Belgrano was started in Paris for this project. The railway opened in December 1910.

With French money, a large commercial port began to be built. It was located at the mouth of the Arroyo Pareja, about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from the city center. This port was meant to be the biggest grain port in South America. However, construction slowed down after World War I, and only part of it was finished. In 1947, the port became government-owned and was renamed Puerto Rosales. Today, there are hopes to make the port active again. Punta Alta is also proud to be the city where Argentina's first Electric Cooperative was founded in 1927. This cooperative still provides electricity to the area. It even has wind turbines at the Centennial Wind Farm, which is one of the most important in the country.

People of Punta Alta

Punta Alta has welcomed people from all over Argentina throughout its history. Many European immigrants, especially from Italy and Spain, also settled here. For example, over 8,000 people from Jujuy and Salta provinces now live in Punta Alta. This mix of cultures makes Punta Alta a rich and diverse place.

Most people in Punta Alta live in strong, well-built homes. About 81% of homes have access to a sewer system. The city has a very low illiteracy rate, meaning almost everyone can read and write.

History of Punta Alta

Early Inhabitants

Before the military port was built in the late 1800s, the area around Punta Alta was home to two main groups of indigenous people: the Linares and the Ancalao. These groups lived peacefully with a few white settlers.

The Ancalao people, led by a leader named Cacique Coñhuepán Venancio, arrived around 1827. They helped in the founding of Fort Protective Argentina, which is now the city of Bahía Blanca. Both the Ancalao and Linares groups were known as "friendly Indians." They settled near the fort and helped the military.

Living peacefully with the indigenous groups was very important for the fort. The fort was far from other towns, and trade with the indigenous people helped it survive. The indigenous groups also wanted peace to avoid attacks from other groups and to trade with the settlers.

The Ancalao and Linares groups helped defend Bahía Blanca. In 1857, they fought against the Calfucurá people, who were a threat. In 1859, Calfucurá attacked the fort of Bahía Blanca. The indigenous auxiliary forces, led by Francisco Ancalao, fought bravely alongside soldiers and civilians. For his actions, Francisco Ancalao was promoted to Sergeant Major in 1860.

In 1870, Calfucurá's forces attacked Bahía Blanca again. Francisco Ancalao and his lancers helped stop the attack and recover stolen cattle. He also warned the fort about another planned attack, which helped prevent it. Francisco Ancalao was a hero who served his community well. He died in 1871 and was buried with military honors.

After Francisco Ancalao's death, his son Rafael Ancalao took over. In the early 1900s, as the military port was being built, these indigenous families were asked to leave their lands. In 1912, Rafael Ancalao and his people moved to the province of Río Negro.

However, one person from the group stayed behind. His name was Fermín González Ancalao, also known as "the Indian Fermin." He was born around 1873. Fermín lived on lands now called "Cantarelli Island." In 1916, he started working at the Naval Base. He tried for many years to get his land back, but he was not successful. Fermín worked at the Naval Base until he retired in 1941. He was proud to be the first indigenous person to retire from the Base. Fermín died in 1959. He is remembered as a legendary figure in Punta Alta.

Radio Stations in Punta Alta

Punta Alta has many local radio stations. Here are some of them:

• 88.1 Radio Rosales
• 88.9 FM Argentina
• 90.9 NQP Radio (repeats from Comodoro Rivadavia)
• 91.7 Radio 10 Punta Alta
• 93.7 FM El Indio
• 94.1 Radio Rivadavia (repeats from Capital Federal)
• 96.1 Fm Sensación
• 96.9 Radio Activa
• 97.5 Radio Mega
• 98.1 FM La Brújula (repeats from Bahía Blanca)
• 98.5 La 100 (repeats from Capital Federal)
• 99.7 FM Iglesia Evangelista
• 100.1 FM del Mar
• 102.5 Radio 2001 Punta Alta
• 103.3 De la Costa Radio
• 103.7 FM Centenario
• 104.1 FM Kairos (Iglesia Evangelista)
• 106.5 FM de Punta

Sports in Punta Alta

The most popular sports in Punta Alta are football (soccer) and basketball. People also enjoy swimming, karate, tennis, and horse riding. Other sports include fishing, volleyball, rugby, hockey, motocross, speedway, midget racing, karting, athletics, and bocce. The COM (Circle Officers Mar) also has bowling.

Football Clubs

Punta Alta has two professional football clubs that play in the Southern League (BB):

• Club Rosario Puerto Belgrano: This club is currently in the second division of the Southern League.
• Club Atletico Sporting: This club plays in the official Southern League tournament. It is the only club that has never dropped to a lower league in this tournament.
• Club Atlético M&M.
• The Pehuen-Co Social Club, from a nearby town, also plays professionally in the Coronel Dorrego Football League.
• There are also two public sports fields where people can play sports for free.

Basketball Clubs

• Club Comandante Espora
• Club Deportivo y Social Altense
• Ateneo Club
• Club Atlético Los Andes from Punta Alta
• Club Atlético Carlos Pellegrini

Rugby and Hockey Clubs

• Puerto Belgrano Rugby and Hockey
• Punta Alta Rugby Club
• Sporting
• Rosario Puerto Belgrano
• M & M Hockey club.

Handball

Currently, there are no professional handball clubs in Punta Alta. However, there is a project to create a Rosalena Handball Association. This new association aims to help young people in the area play handball.

Other Popular Sports

• Motocross
• Speedway
• Midget racing
• Karting
• Tennis
• Golf
• Seamanship
• Fishing
• Volleyball
• Athletics
• Kite surfing
• Wind surfing
• Taekwon-do ITF & WTF
• Motoring

Museums and Archives

Punta Alta has several places where you can learn about its history and nature:

• Museum of Natural Sciences "Charles Darwin"
• Historical Museum
• Puerto Belgrano Naval Museum
• Municipal Archives

See also

In Spanish: Punta Alta para niños