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Salta () is the capital and largest city in the
Argentine province Argentina is subdivided into twenty-three federated states called provinces ( es, provincias, singular ''provincia'') and one called the autonomous city (''ciudad autónoma'') of Buenos Aires, which is the federal capital of the republic ( es ...
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 center of the Valle de Lerma Metropolitan Area (Spanish: ''Área Metropolitana del Valle de Lerma'', AMVL), which is home to over 50.9% of the population of Salta Province and also includes the municipalities of La Caldera, Vaqueros,
Campo Quijano Campo Quijano is a town and municipality in Salta Province in northwestern Argentina. Personalities *Richard Maury Richard Fontaine Maury (Philadelphia, 18 December 1882 – Córdoba, 10 July 1950) was an American railway engineer and natura ...
, Rosario de Lerma, Cerrillos, La Merced and
San Lorenzo San Lorenzo is the Italian and Spanish name for Lawrence of Rome, Saint Lawrence, the 3rd-century Christian martyr, and may refer to: Places Argentina * San Lorenzo, Santa Fe * San Lorenzo Department, Chaco * Monte San Lorenzo, a mountain on t ...
. Salta is the seat of the Capital Department, the most populous department in the province.


History

Salta was founded on April 16, 1582 by the Spanish
conquistador Conquistadors (, ) or conquistadores (, ; meaning 'conquerors') were the explorer-soldiers of the Spanish and Portuguese Empires of the 15th and 16th centuries. During the Age of Discovery, conquistadors sailed beyond Europe to the Americas, O ...
Hernando de Lerma, who intended the settlement to be an outpost between Lima, Peru and Buenos Aires. The origin of the name ''Salta'' is a matter of conjecture, with several theories being advanced to explain it. During the war of independence, the city became a commercial and military strategic point between
Perú , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = National seal , national_motto = "Firm and Happy fo ...
and the Argentine cities. Between 1816 and 1821, the city was led by local military leader General Martín Miguel de Güemes, who under the command of General José de San Martín, defended the city and surrounding area from Spanish forces coming from further north. Salta emerged from the War of Independence politically in disarray and financially bankrupt, a condition that lingered throughout much of the 19th century. However, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the arrival of Italian, Spanish and Arab immigrants, particularly Syrians and Lebanese, revived trade and agriculture all over the area while further enhancing the city's multicultural flavor.


Climate

Salta has a subtropical highland climate (''Cwb'', according to the Köppen climate classification), and it is characterized by pleasant weather year-round. Located in the subtropical north, but at an altitude of 1,200 metres, Salta enjoys 4 distinct seasons: summers are warm with frequent thunderstorms, with daytime highs around and pleasant, refreshing nights around . Fall brings dry weather, pleasant days at around and mild nights at around . By winter, the dryness is extreme, with very few rain episodes. Nights are cool at on average, but daytime heating allows for high temperatures of . Snow is rare and frost is quite common, with temperatures reaching down to during the coldest nights. Spring brings sunny weather with warm days and mild nights: days range from with nights between . Salta's winters are rather warm for its elevation and far inland position for a location being just outside the tropics. Of the over of rain that Salta receives yearly, over 80% falls between December and March, when thunderstorms occur almost daily. During the rest of the year, blue skies dominate the region. Seemingly incessant summer thunderstorms greatly rejuvenate the surrounding mountainous landscape, making the various hills and mountainsides within the vicinity of the city green and lush once again. Salta receives 1863 hours of bright sunshine each year or about 5.1 hours per day. The highest recorded temperature was on November 28, 1972 while the lowest recorded temperature was on August 5, 1966.


Attractions

The city centre features a number of buildings dating back to the 18th and 19th and early 20th centuries. Clockwise around the Ninth of July Square are the neoclassical Cathedral Shrine, the French style Museum of Contemporary Art, the Cabildo (in former times, the city's town hall, nowadays a historical museum) and the neoclassical Museum of High Mountain Archaeology, which houses artifacts from the Inca civilization, including the mummies of three Inca children. The Plaza is almost completely surrounded by a gallery. Within walking distance of the 9th July Square are the Saint Francis Church and the city's three pedestrian streets: ''Alberdi'', ''Florida'' and "Caseros". The three blocks in Balcarce street closest to the train station are now the centre of night life in Salta, with restaurants, pubs and cafés on both sidewalks and concerts every night. Rising in the east is San Bernardo Hill. Its summit, from which visitors can get a view of the city and the entire valley, can be reached by car, cable car or stairway. File:Gondola in Salta, Argentina.jpg, A cable car (gondola) in Salta near Plaza del Lago File:Salta - Convento de San Francisco - Nocturno.jpg, The Church of Saint Francis File:Catedral de Salta (552008).jpg, The main cathedral File:Catedral de Salta.jpg, Inside the cathedral File:Calle Mitre - Salta.jpg, Mitre Street File:Hotel Colonial - Salta.jpg, The Colonial Hotel File:Plaza 9 de Julio - Salta.jpg, Ninth of July Plaza File:Salta-Square2.jpg File:Salta-Street1.jpg File:Newstand in Salt, Argentina.jpg, Corner newsstand in Salta File:Waterfountain at Plaza del Lago.jpg, Waterfountain and paddleboats to rent at Plaza del Lago in Salta


Culture and arts

Salta is probably the most Spanish city in Argentina by physical appearance: so much so that tourists visiting from Spain often find a strong resemblance between Salta and Andalucian cities. The local culture, however, is a blend of Spanish and gaucho (
mestizo (; ; fem. ) is a term used for racial classification to refer to a person of mixed Ethnic groups in Europe, European and Indigenous peoples of the Americas, Indigenous American ancestry. In certain regions such as Latin America, it may also r ...
, criollo, both indigenous and non-indigenous) traditions, lending the city a distinctive identity, somewhat different from the more European-like metropolises to the south. The city boasts three theatres, several museums (one of which exhibits the perfectly preserved bodies of c.500 year old Inca children sacrificed in the Andes to Inca gods), and a busy calendar of art exhibitions, shows, music festivals, and other cultural events. One of the main activities in Salta is the April Culture Festival, which lasts the entire month and offers a wide variety of activities such as cultural performances, a handcraft exposition, and live orchestral performances.


Sports

Salta residents, like most Argentines, are very enthusiastic about
football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball to score a goal. Unqualified, the word ''football'' normally means the form of football that is the most popular where the word is used. Sports commonly c ...
. The most important local clubs are '' Juventud Antoniana'', '' Gimnasia y Tiro de Salta'', and ''
Central Norte Club Atlético Central Norte is an Argentine football club from the city of Salta, from the Salta Province. The team currently plays in the Torneo Federal A, the regionalised third division of the Argentine football league system. Central Norte ...
''; many faithful fans follow each. These three clubs currently play in the third national division. Other locally popular sports include baseball (a game in which Salta players excel nationally), basketball, volleyball, rugby, and mountaineering. The main sporting venue in Salta is the Padre Ernesto Martearena Stadium; the Gimnasia y Tiro and Juventud Antoniana stadiums also see many athletic matches. The largest roofed facility in the city is the Ciudad de Salta Stadium, chiefly used for basketball, volleyball, and boxing. Over the last forty years, Salta has played host to such high-profile international sporting events as the
1990 Basketball World Cup The 1990 FIBA World Championship was the 11th FIBA World Championship, the international basketball world championship for men's teams. It was hosted by Argentina from 8 to 19 August 1990. The final phase of the competition was held at the Luna Pa ...
, the 1994
Camel Trophy Occasionally called "The Olympics of 4x4", Camel Trophy was an off-road vehicle oriented competition that was held annually between 1980 and 2000, and it was best known for its use of Land Rover vehicles over challenging terrain. The event to ...
, the 2002 Volleyball World Cup, and the 2009 Hockey Champions Challenge. The
Argentina national rugby union team The Argentina national rugby union team (Spanish: ''Selección de rugby de Argentina'') represents Argentina in men's international rugby union; it is organised by the Argentine Rugby Union ( es, Unión Argentina de Rugby). Nicknamed the Pumas ...
, the "Pumas", have played in Salta against Italy (2005), England (2009), (2013)., South Africa (2016.) and Scotland (2022) Top football clubs, including Boca Juniors, River Plate and Racing, have played friendly games in Salta in summer, off-season matches. The city was used as a stage on the route of the
2014 File:2014 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Stocking up supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the Western African Ebola virus epidemic; Citizens examining the ruins after the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping; Bundles of wat ...
and
2016 Dakar Rally The 2016 Dakar Rally was the 38th edition of the event and the eighth successive year that the event was held in South America. The event started in Buenos Aires, Argentina on January 2, then ran through Argentina and Bolivia. Sébastien Loeb and ...
.


Politics of Salta

Salta is governed by a city council of 21 members. Following the elections of November 2013 the Workers' Party has 9 seats, the
Justicialist Party The Justicialist Party ( es, Partido Justicialista, ; abbr. PJ) is a major political party in Argentina, and the largest branch within Peronism. Current president Alberto Fernández belongs to the Justicialist Party (and has, since 2021, served ...
has 6 seats, and there are 6 others.


Notable people

* Carlos Santiago Fayt, academic, judge *
Carlos Ibarguren Carlos Ibarguren Uriburu (April 18, 1877 – April 3, 1956) was an Argentine academic, historian and politician. As a writer he was noted as one of the foremost academics of the history of Argentina as well as a leading expert on constitutiona ...
, academic, politician *
César Isella César Isella (20 October 1938 – 28 January 2021) was an Argentinian singer and songwriter of folk music. He joined Los Fronterizos (The Bordermen) from 1956 to 1966, was one of the main figures of the "Movement of the New Songbook", and in the ...
, folk singer *
Christian Rodrigo Zurita Christian Rodrigo Zurita (born July 24, 1979 in Salta) is an Argentine football midfielder. He currently plays as captain for Mersin İdman Yurdu of the Spor Toto Super League in Turkey. Zurita started his career at his local club Gimnasia y T ...
, footballer *
Daniel Tinte Daniel Tinte (born 6 December 1969) is a pianist from Argentina. Tinte is part of the musical movement known as ''The Calchaquismo'', characterized by the fusion of Argentine folk dance with the improvisation of contemporary jazz and rock musi ...
, pianist, composer *
David Kavlin David Jaime Kavlin (born December 26, 1971, in Salta, Argentina) is an Argentine radio personality, actor, singer and television host. Life and career 1971 – 2000: Early life David Kavlin was born on December 26, 1971, in the province of Salta ...
, TV host * Dino Saluzzi, bandoneonist, composer *
Jorge Horacio Brito Jorge Horacio Brito (23 July 195220 November 2020) was an Argentine banker and businessman. He was the CEO of Argentina's largest bank, Banco Macro. He was also the president and chairman of the Argentine Banking Association (ADEBA) from 2003 to ...
, banker, businessman * José Alfredo Martínez de Hoz, former economy minister *
José Evaristo Uriburu José Félix Evaristo de Uriburu y Álvarez de Arenales (November 19, 1831 – October 23, 1914) was President of Argentina from 23 January 1895 to 12 October 1898. He was an adept diplomat; participating as arbiter on the peace negotiati ...
, president of Argentina * José Félix Uriburu, ''de facto'' president of Argentina * José Valdiviezo, footballer *
Juan Figallo Juan Guillermo Figallo (born in Salta, March 25, 1988) is an Argentine former rugby union player. He began playing at Jockey Club de Salta and then was recruited by the French side Montpellier Herault Rugby, Montpellier in the Top 14. Figallo wa ...
, rugby player * Juana Manuela Gorriti, feminist writer *
Noemí Goytia Noemí Goytia (born 1936) is an Argentine architect and professor specialized in history, criticism, heritage and project processes. She has received the CICOP Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Center for Heritage Conservation in 2 ...
, architect, professor *
Martina Silva de Gurruchaga Martina Silva de Gurruchaga, also known as Doña Martina Silva, was an Argentine patriot. She was known for her actions before and during the Battle of Salta in which she earned the rank of captain. Biography Gurruchaga (née Córdoba) was bor ...
, independence fighter *
Los Chalchaleros Los Chalchaleros were an Argentine musical folkloric ensemble consisting of four men, and one of the most famous folk singers in the history of Latin America. The group was established in 1948 in the northern province of Salta. It was named after ...
, folk music band * Los Nocheros, folk music band *
Luciana Pedraza Luciana Pedraza () (born January 5, 1972) is an Argentine actress and director. She is married to American actor Robert Duvall, and is the granddaughter of Argentine aviation pioneer Susana Ferrari Billinghurst. Early life Born in the Argentin ...
, actress *
Luciano Leccese Luciano Gabriel Leccese (born 1 September 1982 in Salta) is an Argentine professional footballer who currently plays for Lupa Roma. Career He played on the professional level in Primera División A for Salamanca FC and Águilas Riviera Maya. ...
, footballer * Lucrecia Martel, film director *
Luís Sillero Luis Hernán Sillero (born June 23, 1978, in Salta) is a retired Argentine football striker. The last professional club he played for is Bolivian side Blooming. Club career Sillero started playing professionally at Gimnasia y Tiro de Salta. Lat ...
, footballer *
Mariano Boedo Mariano Joaquin Boedo born Mariano Joaquin de Boedo y de Aguirre, (25 July 1782 – 9 April 1819) was an Argentine statesman and soldier. He was a representative to the Congress of Tucumán which on 9 July 1816 declared the Independence of Argent ...
, statesman * Martín Miguel de Güemes, general *
Renato Riggio Renato Riggio (born April 14, 1978 in Salta, Argentina) is an Argentine footballer. Teams * Gimnasia y Tiro, Gimansia y Tiro de Salta 1997-2000 * Unión Española 2001-2002 * Juventud Antoniana 2002-2003 * Instituto Atlético Central Córdoba ...
, footballer * Robustiano Patrón Costas, infamous sugar tycoon * Victorino de la Plaza, politician, president of Argentina *
Walter Busse Walter Alejandro Busse (born 3 March 1987) is an Argentine football midfielder who plays for Gimnasia y Tiro. Career Busse began his playing career in 2004 with Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy in the Argentine 2nd division. He played in the Prim ...
, footballer * Wilfred Benítez, Puerto Rican boxer * Sara Solá de Castellanos, wrote the lyrics of the hymn of the city of Salta


Trivia

* The film '' Taras Bulba'', starring Yul Brynner and Tony Curtis, was largely shot in the hills west of the city, near San Lorenzo. * Actor John Schneider ('' The Dukes of Hazzard'' and ''
Smallville ''Smallville'' is an American superhero television series developed by writer-producers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, based on the DC Comics character Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The series was produced by Millar Gough ...
'') was part of the cast of '' Cocaine Wars'', another film shot in Salta. * Two Hollywood celebrities have married Salta natives: Matt Damon (to Luciana Bozán Barroso), and Robert Duvall (to
Luciana Pedraza Luciana Pedraza () (born January 5, 1972) is an Argentine actress and director. She is married to American actor Robert Duvall, and is the granddaughter of Argentine aviation pioneer Susana Ferrari Billinghurst. Early life Born in the Argentin ...
).


Transportation

The city's commercial airline needs are served by Aeropuerto Internacional Martín Miguel de Güemes, with service on three domestic airlines, including Aerolineas Argentinas, which is Argentina's largest domestic and international air carrier, and low cost airline Flybondi.


See also

*
2010 Salta earthquake The 2010 Salta earthquake occurred on February 27 at in Salta Province, Argentina and had a magnitude of 6.3. It occurred less than 12 hours after the far larger magnitude 8.8 Chile earthquake, which killed 525 people. It was initially thou ...
*
Argentina wine Argentina is the fifth largest producer of wine in the world.H. Johnson & J. Robinson ''The World Atlas of Wine'' pg 300-301 Mitchell Beazley Publishing 2005 Argentine wine, as with some aspects of Argentine cuisine, has its roots in Spain. Dur ...
* Salta–Antofagasta railway * Torrontes


References

*


Notes


External links

*
Municipality of Salta
— Official website.
Government of Salta Province
— Official website.

at the Chamber of Deputies website.
Salta Province Tourism Office
* * {{Authority control Populated places in Salta Province Capitals of Argentine provinces Populated places established in 1582 Wine regions of Argentina