Villa San Agustín facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Villa San Agustín
San Agustín del Valle Fértil.
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City and Municipality
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 Villa San Agustín
Location in Argentina
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| Country |  Argentina |
| Province | San Juan |
| Department | Valle Fértil |
| Founded | 4 April 1776 |
| Founded by | Pedro Pablo de Quiroga |
| Elevation | 828 m (2,717 ft) |
| Population
(2001 census)
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| • Total | 3,900 |
| Time zone | UTC-3 |
| Postal code |
J5449
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| Telephone prefix | 02646 |
| Language | Spanish |
Villa San Agustín, also known as San Agustín de Valle Fértil, is an important city in Argentina. It is the main city of the Valle Fértil area. You can find it in the middle of the San Juan Province, about 250 kilometers northeast of San Juan city.
A person named Pedro Pablo de Quiroga started San Agustín on April 4, 1776. The city has many important government buildings. Life here mixes city and country styles. The economy mainly relies on helping tourists. Many visitors come to see the amazing Ischigualasto Provincial Park.
You can reach Villa San Agustín using provincial routes 510, 511, and the new Route 150. Route 150 is part of a big road system called the Corredor Bioceánico.
Contents
A Look at San Agustín's History
Since the 1500s, the Cuyo region of Argentina was home to many native groups. These included the Huarpes, the Capayanes, the Olongastas, and the Yacampis.
Exploring San Agustín's Geography
San Agustín del Valle Fértil is located in the eastern part of San Juan Province. It sits on the eastern side of the Sierras Pampeanas mountains. The valley around the city has lots of green plants and trees. This makes it look very different from other parts of the province.
What is the Climate Like?
The weather here is mostly dry, but not too hot or too cold. It gets a good amount of rain, and summers have many sunny hours.
How Many People Live Here?
In 2001, about 3,900 people lived in San Agustín. This was a big increase from the 2,928 people counted in 1991.
Earthquakes and Safety
The area where San Agustín is located often has small earthquakes. Very strong earthquakes happen about every 20 years in different places.
Major Earthquakes in the Region
- Caucete Earthquake (1977): On November 23, 1977, a strong earthquake hit the region. It caused damage to buildings and left many people without homes.
- Mendoza Earthquake (1861): The earthquake on March 20, 1861, was one of the strongest ever recorded in Argentina. It was a very important event in the country's history.
Because of these past earthquakes, city leaders are very careful about building rules. After a big earthquake in San Juan in 1944, the government made sure everyone knew the area was prone to strong quakes.
The Day of Civil Defense is celebrated on November 23. This day remembers the 1977 earthquake that destroyed Caucete. It left over 40,000 people homeless. During that earthquake, the ground became very soft in many places. This caused sand to come out of cracks in the ground, sometimes covering houses.
Fun Things to Do: Tourism
San Agustín is a popular place for visitors. It's a peaceful spot at the foot of the mountains, perfect for relaxing. There's also a man-made lake where you can fish and enjoy water sports. You can go on mountain trips, hiking, or take photos of nature and birds. The area has even been featured in films by director Jorge Preloran.
The town is built in a grid pattern and has modern facilities for tourists. The surrounding area is mountainous and full of green plants.
You can go fishing for silversides in the San Agustín Reservoir. The town has places for tourists to stay. There are also interesting cultural sites like La Piedra Pintada and La Meseta Ritual. These places have old tools used by native people. You can also see traditional crafts made from leather, fabric, and wood in the nearby town of La Majadita.
From San Agustín, you can easily visit several famous places:
- The amazing Ischigualasto Provincial Park
- The beautiful Talampaya National Park
- El Chiflón in the neighboring La Rioja province
- The three mountains of Valle Fértil
- The old olive trees of La Mesada
- The ruins of the Jesuit mission in Las Tumanas
Images for kids
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The San Agustín Dam in Valle Fértil.
See also
In Spanish: Villa San Agustín para niños
