Tafí del Valle is a city in
Tucumán, Argentina. It is located in the
department of the same name, of which it is the main settlement, in the west of the
Argentine province of
Tucumán, 126 km from the provincial capital,
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, Argentina, ...
.
Geography
The town of Tafí del Valle is located almost in the centre of the Tafí valley, which separates the high
cordilleras
A cordillera is an extensive chain and/or network system of mountain ranges, such as those in the west coast of the Americas. The term is borrowed from Spanish, where the word comes from , a diminutive of ('rope').
The term is most commonly u ...
of the Sierra del Aconquija to the south, and the Cumbres Calchaquíes to the north. This valley forms an important pass linking the
Calchaquí Valleys to the west with the great Chaco-Pampean
plain
In geography, a plain is a flat expanse of land that generally does not change much in elevation, and is primarily treeless. Plains occur as lowlands along valleys or at the base of mountains, as coastal plains, and as plateaus or uplands ...
s to the east.
There is road access to the city 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, Argentina, ...
by National Route 38 and Provincial Route 307.
Earthquakes
Earthquake
An earthquake (also known as a quake, tremor or temblor) is the shaking of the surface of the Earth resulting from a sudden release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere that creates seismic waves. Earthquakes can range in intensity, fr ...
s in the area of Tucumán province (north-central Argentina) are frequent but mostly of low intensity. Moderate to severe earthquakes occur at approximately 30-year intervals. Among the most notable earthquakes to affect the region were those of
1861
Statistically, this year is considered the end of the whale oil industry and (in replacement) the beginning of the petroleum oil industry.
Events
January–March
* January 1
** Benito Juárez captures Mexico City.
** The first stea ...
and 1931.
Civil Defence measures include:
* an annual earthquake drill,
* distribution of, and training around, a Manual of Disaster Procedures", ensuring that the media of communication are always provided with generator, facilities and transmission tower,
* signs to warn that this is an earthquake-prone area.
Climate and ecology
Owing to the altitude, the prevailing climate is temperate with low humidity and winter snowfalls. The eastern part of the valley, where the town lies, is moist and consists of grassland with groves of
conifers,
deciduous
In the fields of horticulture and Botany, the term ''deciduous'' () means "falling off at maturity" and "tending to fall off", in reference to trees and shrubs that seasonally shed leaves, usually in the autumn; to the shedding of petals, ...
trees and
pepper trees. Further west there is less moisture, favouring the presence of scattered
cacti such as the
cardón. The contrast is particularly marked at Abra del Infiernillo, where just to the west one sees semideserts and deserts, while to the east lie grasslands, woods and forests often covered in cloud.
The average maximum temperature in the town of Tafí in summer (January) is 26C, while in winter (July) it's 16C, and temperatures down to -20C are common in the winter.
Toponymy
''Taktikllakta'' (
Cacán language: "Town of the magnificent entrance") seems to have been the original name of the population centre and of the valley in which it lies. The Spaniards simplified the name as Tafí. It should be borne in mind that Tucumán province contains another town with the name Tafí, viz.
Tafí Viejo.
History
There have been native peoples in the area for over 7,000 years. Villages of farmers and gatherers were established 2,300 years ago, probably predating the Tafí culture.
The Spanish presence began in the mid-16th century. However, the Spanish were unable to establish themselves immediately, due to the resistance mounted by the native
Diaguita
The Diaguita people are a group of South American indigenous people native to the Chilean Norte Chico and the Argentine Northwest. Western or Chilean Diaguitas lived mainly in the Transverse Valleys which incised in a semi-arid environment. Ea ...
s and in particular by the
Calchaquí The Calchaquí or Kalchakí were a tribe of South American Indians of the Diaguita group, now extinct, who formerly occupied northern Argentina. Stone and other remains prove them to have reached a high degree of civilization. Under the leadership ...
tribe.
In 1636 the valley was granted as a royal gift (Sp: Merced Real) to the Spanish family of Leguizamo y Guevara, who founded an
estancia
An estancia is a large, private plot of land used for farming or raising cattle or sheep. Estancias in the southern South American grasslands, the ''pampas'', have historically been estates used to raise livestock, such as cattle or sheep. In Pu ...
(large rural estate). This was later bought by the
Jesuits
, image = Ihs-logo.svg
, image_size = 175px
, caption = ChristogramOfficial seal of the Jesuits
, abbreviation = SJ
, nickname = Jesuits
, formation =
, founders = ...
, who had been present in the area since 1617. The Jesuits introduced
dairy farming, in particular the production of high-quality
cheese.
Economy
The climate has favoured livestock farming, initially with
camelid
Camelids are members of the biological family Camelidae, the only currently living family in the suborder Tylopoda. The seven extant members of this group are: dromedary camels, Bactrian camels, wild Bactrian camels, llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, ...
s, and since the Spanish influx in the 16th century also with
cattle
Cattle (''Bos taurus'') are large, domesticated, cloven-hooved, herbivores. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae and the most widespread species of the genus ''Bos''. Adult females are referred to as cows and adult ma ...
,
sheep
Sheep or domestic sheep (''Ovis aries'') are domesticated, ruminant mammals typically kept as livestock. Although the term ''sheep'' can apply to other species in the genus '' Ovis'', in everyday usage it almost always refers to domesticated ...
,
horse
The horse (''Equus ferus caballus'') is a domesticated, one-toed, hoofed mammal. It belongs to the taxonomic family Equidae and is one of two extant subspecies of ''Equus ferus''. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million yea ...
s, and to a lesser extent
goats
The goat or domestic goat (''Capra hircus'') is a domesticated species of goat-antelope typically kept as livestock. It was domesticated from the wild goat (''C. aegagrus'') of Southwest Asia and Eastern Europe. The goat is a member of th ...
. There is also cultivation of
grain crops such as
wheat
Wheat is a grass widely cultivated for its seed, a cereal grain that is a worldwide staple food. The many species of wheat together make up the genus ''Triticum'' ; the most widely grown is common wheat (''T. aestivum''). The archaeologi ...
, and
vegetable
Vegetables are parts of plants that are consumed by humans or other animals as food. The original meaning is still commonly used and is applied to plants collectively to refer to all edible plant matter, including the flowers, fruits, stems, ...
s such as
lettuce
Lettuce (''Lactuca sativa'') is an annual plant of the family Asteraceae. It is most often grown as a leaf vegetable, but sometimes for its stem and seeds. Lettuce is most often used for salads, although it is also seen in other kinds of food, ...
. High-quality varieties of cheese are produced. The second half of the 20th century has seen development of
tourism
Tourism is travel for pleasure or business; also the theory and practice of touring, the business of attracting, accommodating, and entertaining tourists, and the business of operating tours. The World Tourism Organization defines tourism mor ...
.
Tourism
From 2003, this area has begun to be included in international package tours of northwest Argentina.
The RP307 route from San Miguel de Tucumán to Tafí goes into the Tucumán forest and passes through the Quebrada de los Sosa nature reserve. It passes three places of interest: the "El Indio" monument, "The Freezer" and "The End of the World".
At the eastern entrance to the Tafí valley is the village of
El Mollar, which possesses a variety of tourist facilities, as also does the town of Tafí del Valle.
One of the main tourist attractions is the collection of
menhir
A menhir (from Brittonic languages: ''maen'' or ''men'', "stone" and ''hir'' or ''hîr'', "long"), standing stone, orthostat, or lith is a large human-made upright stone, typically dating from the European middle Bronze Age. They can be found ...
s at the Parque de los Menhires close to El Mollar. These
phallic
A phallus is a penis (especially when Erection, erect), an object that resembles a penis, or a mimesis, mimetic image of an erect penis. In art history a figure with an erect penis is described as ithyphallic.
Any object that symbolically— ...
monolith
A monolith is a geological feature consisting of a single massive stone or rock, such as some mountains. For instance, Savandurga mountain is a monolith mountain in India. Erosion usually exposes the geological formations, which are often ma ...
s, some of them bearing still visible carvings, were shaped by the indigenous people of the Tafí culture. Originally they stood at different locations throughout the valley, but under the provincial governorship of
Antonio Domingo Bussi
Antonio Domingo Bussi (17 January 1926 – 24 November 2011) was an Army General and politician prominent in the recent history of Tucumán Province, Argentina.
Life and times
Early career
Bussi was born in Victoria in Argentina's Entre Ríos Pr ...
they were brought together at their present location, in order, it was said, to preserve them and protect them from damage by visitors.
Very close to El Mollar, and extending towards Tafí del Valle, is the artificial lake of Angostura. In addition to its setting among often snow-capped mountains, it offers attractions in the form of fishing and water sports. From this lake issues the fast-flowing and clear Los Sosa river, which flows eastward through canyons and over waterfalls.
Less than 1 km from Tafí is located the Jesuit centre of La Banda (built early 18th century, now a museum) and the hill of Ñuñorco Grande. On Provincial Route 307, 2 km from the town, is the Casa Duende museum, dedicated to local beliefs, myths and traditions.
Continuing to the north, there are panoramic views over the valley, and this route leads to
Amaicha del Valle, the ruins of
Quilmes
Quilmes () is a city on the coast of the Rio de la Plata, in the , on the south east of the Greater Buenos Aires. The city was founded in 1666 and it is the seat of the eponymous county. With a population of 230,810, it is located south of the ...
, El Pichao,
Colalao del Valle and
Cafayate - the last-named is within the province of
Salta
Salta () is the capital and largest city in the Argentine province of the same name. With a population of 618,375 according to the 2010 census, it is also the 7th most-populous city in Argentina. The city serves as the cultural and economic ce ...
and is well known for its high quality wines.
Activities available at Tafí include horse riding, tours in
4x4 vehicles,
trekking
Backpacking is the outdoor recreation of carrying gear on one's back, while hiking for more than a day. It is often an extended journey, and may involve camping outdoors. In North America tenting is common, where simple shelters and mountain h ...
,
windsurfing
Windsurfing is a wind propelled water sport that is a combination of sailing and surfing. It is also referred to as "sailboarding" and "boardsailing", and emerged in the late 1960s from the aerospace and surf culture of California. Windsurfing ga ...
,
paragliding
Paragliding is the recreational and competitive adventure sport of flying paragliders: lightweight, free-flying, foot-launched glider aircraft with no rigid primary structure. The pilot sits in a harness or lies supine in a cocoon-like 'p ...
and visits to churches and estancias.
Annual events
* A re-enactment of the
Passion of Christ
In Christianity, the Passion (from the Latin verb ''patior, passus sum''; "to suffer, bear, endure", from which also "patience, patient", etc.) is the short final period in the life of Jesus Christ.
Depending on one's views, the "Passion" m ...
during
Holy Week
Holy Week ( la, Hebdomada Sancta or , ; grc, Ἁγία καὶ Μεγάλη Ἑβδομάς, translit=Hagia kai Megale Hebdomas, lit=Holy and Great Week) is the most sacred week in the liturgical year in Christianity. In Eastern Churches, w ...
, with local actors, attracting a larger number of spectators each year.
* In summer, a tournament of the Argentine national sport of
pato
', also called ' (, literally "duck game"), is a game played on horseback that combines elements from polo and basketball. Since 1953 it has been the national sport of Argentina.
' is Spanish for "duck", as early games used a live duck inside a ...
(an equestrian sport), involving sportsmen from all over the country.
* The National Cheese Festival, held in February.
Population
In 2001 the town of Tafí del Valle contained approximately 5,000 inhabitants, but in its role as departmental capital the quoted population includes that of settlements within approximately 15 km.
Gastronomy
The cheeses of Tafí, produced since the 18th century, are said to be of excellent quality. Also noted is the
cottage cheese
Cottage cheese is a curdled milk product with a mild flavor and a creamy, non-homogeneous, soupy texture. It is made from skimmed milk by draining the cheese, as opposed to pressing it to make cheese curd—retaining some of the whey and keep ...
(
quesillo) and a variety of preparations based on it, such as a dessert dish made with honey or ''cayote'' preserve; these may be served with
kiwifruit
Kiwifruit (often shortened to kiwi in North American, British and continental European English) or Chinese gooseberry is the edible berry of several species of woody vines in the genus '' Actinidia''. The most common cultivar group of kiwi ...
or
grape
A grape is a fruit, botanically a berry, of the deciduous woody vines of the flowering plant genus '' Vitis''. Grapes are a non- climacteric type of fruit, generally occurring in clusters.
The cultivation of grapes began perhaps 8,000 years a ...
s. Other dishes available include roast meat –
beef
Beef is the culinary name for meat from cattle (''Bos taurus'').
In prehistoric times, humankind hunted aurochs and later domesticated them. Since that time, numerous breeds of cattle have been bred specifically for the quality or quantit ...
or
kid
Kid, Kids, KIDS, and K.I.D.S. may refer to:
Common meanings
* Colloquial term for a child or other young person
** Also for a parent's offspring regardless of age
* Engage in joking
* Young goats
* The goat meat of young goats
* Kidskin, lea ...
– and especially grilled
trout
Trout are species of freshwater fish belonging to the genera '' Oncorhynchus'', '' Salmo'' and '' Salvelinus'', all of the subfamily Salmoninae of the family Salmonidae. The word ''trout'' is also used as part of the name of some non-salm ...
from the nearby lake, seasoned with lemon. Beverages include white
Torrontés
Torrontés is a white grape variety, mostly produced and known in Argentine wine, producing fresh, aromatic wines with moderate acidity, smooth texture and mouthfeel as well as distinctive peach and apricot aromas on the nose.Robinson, Jancis '' ...
wine, made in the neighbouring Calchaquí valleys, and beer brewed in San Miguel de Tucumán.
References
External links
TafíDelValle.com Portal, Tafí del ValleTafíDelValle.ORG Tourist Portal, Tafí del ValleEnte Tucumán TurismoTourist information for the province of
Tucumán
Information portal of the municipality of Tafi del Valle
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tafi del Valle
Populated places in Tucumán Province
Tourist attractions in Tucumán Province
Cities in Argentina