Simoca is a city in
Tucumán Province
Tucumán () is the most densely populated, and the second-smallest by land area, of the provinces of Argentina.
Located in the northwest of the country, the province has the capital of San Miguel de Tucumán, often shortened to Tucumán. Neighb ...
, Argentina. It is known for its market and hosts the national festivals of the fair (''feria'') and the
sulky
A sulky is a lightweight cart used for harness racing. It has two wheels and a small seat for only a single driver. The modern racing sulky has shafts that extend in a continuous bow behind the driver's seat, with wire-spoked "bike" wheels ...
, which is still widely used in the area especially on market day - Saturday.
Simoca is located 52 km south of
San Miguel de Tucumán
San Miguel de Tucumán (), usually called simply Tucumán, is the capital and largest city of Tucumán Province, located in northern Argentina from Buenos Aires. It is the fifth-largest city of Argentina after Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Argentin ...
on the national route No. 157 on the way to
Córdoba. It is the main town in the
Simoca Department. As of 2010, Simoca was recorded as having 8,351 inhabitants.
Simoca is principally a rural centre, supporting the local
sugar cane
Sugarcane or sugar cane is a species of tall, Perennial plant, perennial grass (in the genus ''Saccharum'', tribe Andropogoneae) that is used for sugar Sugar industry, production. The plants are 2–6 m (6–20 ft) tall with stout, jointed, fib ...
industry and other agriculture. It is known for its pork products and larger than usual ''
empanada
An empanada is a type of baked or fried turnover (food), turnover consisting of pastry and stuffing, filling, common in Culture of Spain, Spain, other Southern European countries, North African countries, South Asian countries, Latin American c ...
''s, a delicacy especially popular in Tucumán. The market sells pork and live pigs, as well as other foodstuffs, clothes, crafts and traditional snacks and meals. It is believed to date back to the founding of Simoca in the 17th century.
History
The indigenous Beliches and Simocas were the first people to inhabit this area. These two indigenous groups were of
Tonocote and
Lule origin.
The first ''Fiesta de la Feria'' took place in July 1980. The first ''Festival Nacional del Sulky'' was organised in 1973 in the Estadio Club Unión Simoca.
External links
Simoca municipality
Populated places in Tucumán Province
Populated places established in 1956
Cities in Argentina
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