Misplaced Pages

#592407

46-661: Nestled in the northern part of the Nahuel Huapi National Park , and surrounded by lakes, forests and mountains, it is considered to be one of the most beautiful locations in the mountainous parts of Patagonia ; earning it the nickname Garden of Patagonia (Spanish: Jardín de la Patagonia ). Just located a couple of kilometers away from the border with Chile through the Cardenal Antonio Samoré Pass and with other nearby places such as Bariloche and San Martín de los Andes , it forms

92-614: A mountain village , even though it has approximately 11,000 inhabitants. In June 2011, Villa La Angostura was declared a disaster area due to the massive layer of ash dumped on the community by the eruption to the west in Chile. Nahuel Huapi National Park Nahuel Huapi National Park ( Spanish : Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi ) is the oldest national park in Argentina , established in 1922 as Parque Nacional de Sud and reconfiguered in 1934. It surrounds Nahuel Huapi Lake in

138-585: A bit higher as in November, with an average of 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain. On the whole, Villa La Angostura's climate is noted for being among the rainiest in Argentina (with 2,074 mm (81.7 in) of rain over almost 300 days a year), for having no frost-free periods whatsoever, and for its clear, dry and extremely pleasant summer days. Areas west of the city are much rainier, with over 3,000 mm (120 in) over Brazo Rincon. Nearby La Angostura

184-597: A chapel on the Huemul Peninsula of the lake. The lake extends 100 kilometres (62 mi) across the border with Chile, and includes many fjords and the Valdivian temperate rain forest . The southern shore of the lake has many hotels and restaurant catering to the tourist industry. The Quetrihué Peninsula in the north of the lake has been set aside as a separate national park, Los Arrayanes National Park . The lake has many islands. The Forest Research station

230-487: A cold temperate climate . Winters are cold and rainy with frequent snowfalls. Mean temperatures range between 2 and 4 °C (35.6 and 39.2 °F) during winter. Summers are dry with mean temperatures ranging between 14 and 16 °C (57.2 and 60.8 °F). Mean annual precipitation ranges from 4,000 mm (160 in) in Puerto Blest and decreases towards the east, averaging only 600 mm (24 in) in

276-461: A couple of times every year, and night frost happens occasionally during the summer as well. There are often long stretches of sunny, windy weather; however, when the weather gets locked in a stormy pattern, it can remain so for several days or weeks: temperatures will stay cold (10 °C to 18 °C, or 50 °F to 65 °F) and summer sleet is not unprecedented. Rainfall in the summer averages 70 to 85 mm (2.8 to 3.3 in) per month, with

322-485: A maximum of 45 kilometres (28 mi) involving 1-2-3 and more than 4 days of trekking. The treks are graded under four categories depending on the terrain and the difficulty of climbing rugged hills of heights varying from 200 to 3,000 metres (660 to 9,840 ft). Cerro Bayo Cerro Bayo is a mountain of the Andes range located 9 km from the town Villa La Angostura , Neuquén Province , Argentina , within

368-424: A mixture of rain, snow and sleet; overall precipitation averages 200 to 300 mm (7.9 to 11.8 in) monthly for the period, falling mostly as snow in the mountains around the city. Snowstorms can sometimes be heavy (over 20 cm or 8 inches), and extreme cold waves might bring temperatures down to −18 °C (0 °F) or lower; however, long stretches of intense frost are rare as Pacific storms always strike

414-585: A number of routes, ferry services from Villa la Angostura. Some of the well-developed routes for mountaineering are: The climb to the Thunderer volcano, which has several trails that reach up to the large glaciers; trails to the Tronador (an extinct volcano); the trails that link the San Martin shelter and Manfredo Segre (Black Lagoon); treks to San Martín and Manfredo Segre (Laguna Negra); to Lopez and to

460-478: A park and it finally opened in 1922 as Parque Nacional del Sur . The total surface of the incipient national park in 1916 surpassed that of the donations of Perito Moreno. It was not until October 9, 1934 that Nahuel Huapi National Park acquired it present name. At the same time in 1934 the Iguazú National Park was established in Argentina. One of the main objectives of the civilizing visions of

506-665: A popular tourist corridor during both summer and winter. The town is located halfway between the cities of San Martín de los Andes and Bariloche , inside the Nahuel Huapi National Park , very close to the isthmus of the Quetrihue Peninsula , where the Los Arrayanes National Park and its arrayanes (Luma apiculata) forest is located. The town is located nearby Cardenal Antonio Samoré Pass that links it with Osorno in Chile . The elevation of

SECTION 10

#1732772836593

552-540: A subgenus of Simulium with 19 species; these account for 57% of the Simuliidae fauna found in Argentina. Nahuelito is a lake monster named after the Nahuel Huapi Lake as its sighting in the lake is reported widely. Whether it is a fact or fiction, its sighting has been reported by local people and tourists with widely varying descriptions mentioning a “giant water snake with humps and fish-like fins to

598-423: A swan with a snake's head, the overturned hull of a boat, and the stump of a tree”. Its length is also reported in the range of 15–150 feet (4.6–45.7 m). Reported widely since the 1920s, predating Nessie and the book titled The Lost World (Arthur Conan Doyle) , Nahuelito is described as “an Argentinean media star.” The park offers many avenues for recreation. Particular places of interest in this context are

644-421: A very high variability from one year to another. March brings more frequent frost, but also nice stretches of sunny weather. The average high temperature is 19 °C, the low is 4 °C, occasionally 30 °C can be reached, and temperatures may fall to -5 °C. The most radical change occurs sometime during the month of April, when Villa La Angostura first gets in the path of a "train of Pacific storms": in

690-477: Is a slow-growing conifer which is also present. Other flora include arrayanes , coihues , ferns , the caña colihue reeds , amancayes and arvejillas . The llao llao fungus has irregular growth patterns on the trees and is a symbol of the area; it is also the name of the Llao Llao Hotel , a famous resort. The Valdivian rain forests is well forested with fine arrayan trees with crumbling bark. In

736-508: Is extremely variable, going back and forth between periods of extremely windy, but sunny weather, and freak cold snaps that bring night temperatures below −5 °C (23 °F) and mixtures of sleet and snow. Average highs are 14 °C (57 °F), lows are 1 °C (34 °F), and precipitation reaches 121 mm (4.8 in). November brings springlike weather, much lower precipitation (83 mm (3.3 in)) but strong winds and wild variations in temperature. Averages are 17 °C in

782-512: Is linked to the conquest of Chile . In the summer of 1552–1553, the Governor of Chile Pedro de Valdivia sent Francisco de Villagra to explore the area east of the Andes at the latitudes of the city of Valdivia . Francisco de Villagra crossed the Andes through Mamuil Malal Pass and headed south until reaching Limay River in the vicinity of Nahuel Huapi Lake. In colonial times explorers in

828-552: Is located on one of them, Victoria Island , which is a natural reserve approachable by boats. Huemul Island hosted the Huemul Project , the Argentinean secret research project on nuclear fusion in 1949–1952. San Carlos de Bariloche is located on the southern shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi. The town was established in 1902. However, its importance as tourist hub grew after the 1930s when the national park surrounding it

874-407: Is surrounded by the park. San Carlos de Bariloche is the main hub when visiting the lake, and is known as the "Gateway to Patagonia", the "Chocolate Capital" and the "Honeymoon Capital" of Argentina. However, the city and other settlements are zoned outside the limits of the park. A further subzoning into the north, south and southern zones has been implemented with an exclusive recreational area named

920-519: Is the Cerro Bayo and its ski centre. The resort's base, at only 250 m (820 ft) higher than the city, usually only sees sufficient snow cover for a few weeks in midwinter, following large storms. However, slopes above the altitude of 1,200 m (3,900 ft) offer reliable snow cover, and most of the skiing takes place between 1,500 and 1,780 m (4,920 and 5,840 ft), where pockets of snow might be found till midsummer. The view from

966-696: The Arrayanes Peninsula, Tronador, Puerto Blest, Victoria Island and the road to the 7 Lakes. Other options for recreation are available at the Cerro Bayo, Lopez and Punta Negra. Most of the recreation facility revolves around trekking of high mountain and steep hills apart from rafting, skiing in Cerro Catedral, kayaking in Patagonia Infinita, mountain biking, rock-climbing, kite surfing, canopy, golf at Llao Llao, trekking on

SECTION 20

#1732772836593

1012-574: The Cerro Cathedral. Villa La Angostura is another lakeside resort also within the boundaries of the park. The area is known as the Argentine Lake District , as there are many lakes in the park, including Nahuel Huapi, Mascardi , Gutiérrez , Traful , Guillelmo , Fonck and Perito Moreno Lakes. Cerro Catedral is a 2,388-metre-high (7,835 ft) peak within the park and an important ski resort. Cerro Tronador , on

1058-624: The Chilean border, is the highest mountain in the park at 3,491 metres (11,453 ft). Bordering the park to the north is the Lanín National Park . Geological formations in the park and the reserve are generally tertiary rocks of volcanic origin coupled with andesites and porphyrys . The cliffs of the San Pedro Peninsula depict eroded glacial features and the lakes also show many glacial effects. The park has

1104-492: The Nahuel Huapi area. As compensation for his services Perito Moreno was granted a huge tract of land around Nahuel Huapi Lake. In 1903, Perito Moreno donated 75 square kilometres (29 sq mi) of land in the area to the federal government. At the same time he proposed the creation of a national park. A decree of February 1, 1909 recognized that the area needed protection then in 1916 works begun to establish

1150-553: The National Parks Direction established in 1934 was the urban development of the small settlement of San Carlos de Bariloche on the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi, which had been connected to the Argentine railway network in 1934. Bustillo clearly articulated the pretension of building a new orderly city that would act as a bulwark for the colonization of Patagonia, and placed it in a historical line that began with

1196-498: The Pampa Linda, are located to the west of Bariloche. It is also the base for mountaineering trips to 3,554-metre-high (11,660 ft) Mount Tronador (also known as the Thunderer as ice falling produces such sounds) of extinct volcanic origin. The town is well-connected by air, rail and road transport; the airport is 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) to the east of the town; and the train and bus stations are 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) to

1242-459: The afternoon and 3 °C at night, but it is not unusual to have a day of rain and sleet with a high below 5 °C (41 °F), or a day with sunny weather and a high of 25 °C (77 °F). Finally, December is a transition between spring and summer: winds are still very strong and freak variations occur, but the average high of 20 °C (68 °F) and the low of 5 °C (41 °F) are more typical of summer weather. Storminess might be

1288-409: The area with milder, moist air. In September, the storminess diminishes slightly (172 mm (6.8 in) in total), and high temperatures reach an average of 11 °C, although low temperatures only increase to -1 °C. By the end of the month, there might be stretches of pleasant weather and comfortable temperatures, but the month also marks the beginning of the windiest part of the year. October

1334-612: The city centre is about 790 m (2,590 ft), and the lake is at 765 m (2,510 ft). Surrounding mountains range from 1,500 m (4,900 ft) to about 2,000 m (6,600 ft) (Cerro Bayo, right behind the city, is 1,782 m (5,846 ft) high). The area's climate is with marked alpine characteristics despite relatively low altitudes. Summers are known for being sunny and pleasant, with high temperatures usually between 18 and 25 °C (64 and 77 °F), but with cold nights between 2 and 9 °C (36 and 48 °F). Temperatures will reach 30 °C (86 °F) only

1380-542: The east, the Correntoso Lake . Both lakes are connected by the Correntoso River , which, with 200 meters of length, is one of the sport fishing destinations around La Angostura. The architecture of the town follows a stylized Alpine wooden style similar to that of Bariloche 's city centre. There are shops and restaurants of artisanal products such as chocolate, beer and trout . It is categorised as

1426-440: The east. The Cerro Catedral mountain peak is the snow sports center, with many skiing runs, which is 23 kilometres (14 mi) from Bariloche. The park's ecology consists of Patagonian steppe at lower elevations and Valdivian temperate forests at higher elevations. It is notable for its rich wildlife due to its many biotopes , attributed to the varied altitude and precipitation range. The dominant species of plankton in

Villa La Angostura - Misplaced Pages Continue

1472-517: The easternmost parts. Lake Nahuel Huapi is the largest and deepest clear water lake in the lake district of Argentina, with a depth of 425 metres (1,394 ft). Located at the foot of the Andes Mountains at an altitude of 767 metres (2,516 ft), it measures 544 square kilometres (210 sq mi). The lake was explored by the Jesuit priest Nicolás Mascardi in 1670 who also built

1518-409: The end, total precipitation for the month averages 168 mm (6.6 in). The average high is 14 °C (57 °F), the low is 2 °C or 35 °F(the nighttime change is small due to increased cloudiness) and by late April any cloudless night will be frosty. May is known for being extremely rainy, with an average amount of 434 mm (17.1 in) (including sleet and snow). It is also often

1564-600: The foothills of the Patagonian Andes . The largest of the national parks in the region, it has an area of 7,050 km (2,720 sq mi), or nearly 2 million acres. Its landscapes represent the north Patagonian Andean Zone consisting of three types, namely, the Altoandino (with perpetual snow above an altitude of 1,600 metres (5,200 ft)), the Andino-Patagónico (in the lower reaches of

1610-468: The high mountain chain of the Andes, many lakes, rapid rivers, waterfalls, snow-clad peaks, glaciers and extensive forests. It is bordered by Chile on its western side. The park derives its name from the lake which it surrounds, namely the "Nahuel Huapi". In the Mapuche language , N ahuel means "jaguar", and H uapi means "island". The earliest discovery of Nahuel Huapi by the non-indigenous peoples

1656-513: The high rain fall zones close to the Chilean border there is profusion of 450-year-old coihue trees (small leaved evergreen beeches). Fitzroya ( Spanish : Alerce ) of 1500 year's age scattered throughout the park. Chusquea canes grows in abundance. Animals include river otters ( Lontra provocax ), southern Andean huemuls ( Hippocamelus bisulcus ), pudus (small deer), foxes, cougars , guanacos and maras . Huillin ( Lontra provocax ), an endangered native otter, has been reported in

1702-535: The hills) and the Patagonian steppe . It also represents small parts of the Valdivian Rainforest . The park and the reserve lie at an altitude of 720–3,574 metres (2,362–11,726 ft), and are designated under IUCN management categories II (National Park) and IV (Management Reserve). The park is completely protected while the reserve is partially protected. The national park is dominated by

1748-650: The lake is Dictyosphaerium pulchellum . Xerophytic Patagonian flora is dominant in the eastern half of the park while the western half is covered profusely with temperate rain forests. The dominant tree species in the park are the lengas , coihue , and the ñires . Other varieties of trees seen in the park are the Chilean cedar ( Austrocedrus chilensis ), Winter's bark ( Drimys winteri ), Myrceugenella apiculata , Lomatia ferruginea , Lomatia hirsuta , Alstroemeria aurantica , Fuchsia megellanica , bamboo Chusquea culcou , Mitraria cocinea and Embothrium coccineum . The alerce or Patagonian cypress

1794-503: The month of the first significant snowfall. High temperatures are usually around 9 °C (48 °F), lows average 1 °C (34 °F), sometimes temperatures can reach −10 °C (14 °F). June, July and August are the core of the winter in Villa La Angostura, when the average high ranges from 5 to 8 °C (41 to 46 °F) and lows from 0 to −2 °C (32 to 28 °F). Storms are very frequent and usually bring

1840-530: The park was established. The park covers approximately 7,050 square kilometres (2,720 sq mi). It is located in the southwest section of the Neuquén and northwest section of the Río Negro provinces, bordering with Chile. The park has two zones: the park and the natural reserve with development concentrated in the reserve. The largest city and a base for tourism is San Carlos de Bariloche , which

1886-498: The park. Birds reported include Magellanic woodpeckers , green austral parakeets , geese , ducks , swans , blue-eyed cormorants , Andean condors ( Vultur gryphus ) and green-backed firecrowns ( Saphonoides sephaniodes ). Amphibian fauna reported are Hylorina sylvatica and Bufo spinolosus . Five genera and 32 species of Simuliidae ( black fly ) have been recorded. These genera are Cnesia , Cnesiamima , Gigantodax , Paraustrasimulium , and Simulium ( Pternaspatha ),

Villa La Angostura - Misplaced Pages Continue

1932-548: The search for the legendary "Ciudad de Los Cesares" visited the zone and Jesuit missionaries coming from Chiloé Archipelago established a precarious mission on the shores of the lake. Quinoa is known to have been cultivated near the shores of the lake during this period. In the 1870s and 1880s Perito Moreno undertook a series of exploration trips into Patagonia. Later he worked for the Argentine government's boundary commission. In short —Perito Morenos‘ explorations and work were fundamental for securing Argentine sovereignty of

1978-410: The top is impressive, especially toward the west, across Nahuel Huapi lake, with the majestic, heavily glaciated Cerro Tronador (3,450 m (11,320 ft)), clearly visible. La Angostura is considered among the main attractions of Argentina's Andean Patagonia not only because of the wooden town itself, but also because of the beauty of its sights. On its west side is the Nahuel Huapi Lake, and to

2024-479: The viewpoint of the Stone of Habsburg, the walk of Paso de las Nubes Puerto Frías linking to Pampa Linda; to the valley and the ridge of Mount Rucaco Black Gap; and to Frey and San Martín (Jakob lagoon), which passes by the edge of Cerro Catedral. The trekking routes have accommodation facilities at several locations and the treks depend on fitness and the distance varies from a minimum of 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) to

2070-665: The war of conquest against the Mapuche at the end of the 19th century. Touristification was the main aim of the National Park Direction, establishing the luxury hotel Llao-Llao. In the first year of the National Park Service, 1935, several regulations were implemented that affected Nahuel Huapi. These included construction code, standardization of drinking water sanitation, and issuance of vendor permits. The area opened up for mountain climbing, sport fishing, ski and other recreational activities after

2116-524: Was established. It is well known as the "Honeymoon Capital of Argentina", apart from its fame for its chocolate manufacturing industry. Its 130 kilometres (81 mi) stretch below the Andes mountains is bounded on the south by Lago Mascardi and on the north by the Villa Traful. North of the city the Seven Lakes road provides scenic vistas of landscapes. Glaciers and waterfalls, which are near to

#592407