Santa Cruz Province, Argentina Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Santa Cruz

Clockwise from top: Cueva de las Manos, Harbour of Río Gallegos, Perito Moreno Glacier (Los Glaciares National Park), Río Pinturas.

Flag	Coat of arms

Location of Santa Cruz within Argentina

Area

• Total

243,943 km² (94,187 sq mi)

Population

(2010)

• Total

272,524 (Ranked 23rd)

• Density

1.1/km² (3/sq mi)

santacruceño

UTC−3 (ART)

Santa Cruz is a large province in the southern part of Argentina. It is located in a region called Patagonia. To its west and south, Santa Cruz shares a border with Chile. The Atlantic Ocean is to its east.

Santa Cruz is the second largest province in Argentina. However, it has the fewest people living in mainland Argentina. This means there's lots of open space! Two famous places here are Perito Moreno National Park and Los Glaciares National Park.

Exploring Santa Cruz Province
Government of Santa Cruz
- Who Leads Santa Cruz?
Images for kids
See also

Exploring Santa Cruz Province

Santa Cruz is known for its amazing natural beauty. It has huge glaciers, vast plains, and a long coastline.

Where is Santa Cruz Located?

Santa Cruz is in the very south of Argentina. It's part of the wild and windy Patagonia region. The capital city is Río Gallegos. This city is an important port on the Atlantic coast.

What is Santa Cruz Like?

Santa Cruz has a cool, dry climate. Strong winds are common, especially in the open plains. The landscape changes from icy glaciers in the west to dry grasslands in the center. Along the coast, you'll find cliffs and beaches.

Natural Wonders

Glaciers: The most famous is the Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. It's one of the few glaciers in the world that is still growing! You can watch huge chunks of ice break off and fall into the lake.
Ancient Art: Cueva de las Manos (Cave of the Hands) is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It has ancient cave paintings of hands made by people thousands of years ago.
Wildlife: The province is home to many animals. You can see guanacos (like small llamas), rheas (large birds), and pumas. Along the coast, there are penguins, sea lions, and many types of seabirds.

Economy and Resources

The economy of Santa Cruz mainly relies on a few key activities.

Mining

Santa Cruz is rich in natural resources.

Coal: Río Turbio is Argentina's only active coal mine.
Other Minerals: There is also mining for gold, clay, gypsum, and salt. These minerals are important for different industries.

Sheep Farming

Sheep farming is a very important part of the economy. Sheep are raised for both their wool and their meat. This industry has been a big part of Santa Cruz's history for a long time.

Government of Santa Cruz

Like other provinces in Argentina, Santa Cruz has its own government.

Who Leads Santa Cruz?

The main leader of the province is the Governor. The current Governor is Daniel Peralta. He belongs to a political group called the FPV. The Governor works to make decisions for the province and its people.

Santa Cruz also sends representatives to the national government in Argentina.

Deputies: There are 5 Deputies from Santa Cruz.
Senators: There are 3 Senators from Santa Cruz.

These representatives help make laws for the whole country.

Provinces of Argentina
Buenos Aires \| Buenos Aires Province \| Catamarca \| Chaco \| Chubut \| Córdoba \| Corrientes \| Entre Ríos \| Formosa \| Jujuy \| La Pampa \| La Rioja \| Mendoza \| Misiones \| Neuquen \| Río Negro \| Salta \| San Juan \| San Luis \| Santa Cruz \| Santa Fe \| Santiago del Estero \| Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica, and South Atlantic Islands \| Tucumán

Images for kids

Ochre-ink art in Cueva de las Manos, Santa Cruz. Made by the long-vanished Toldense people, they are 13,000–9,000 years old.
Scene from La Patagonia rebelde. Based on an ill-fated local strike in 1922, the 1974 epic was made with the encouragement of Santa Cruz's governor.
Néstor and Cristina Kirchner (center) in conference with fellow Patagonia-area lawmakers.
The windswept Patagonian landscape of Santa Cruz.
Oceanographic craft ARA Puerto Deseado
Argentine Lake, near El Calafate.
Perito Moreno Glacier, near El Calafate. Until recently, the only glacier of its type in the world that was still expanding.