Chamical
Chamical is a small city in, and the seat of government of, Chamical Department in the south of La Rioja Province of Argentina. With a population of 12,919 permanent residents at the 2010 census [INDEC], up from 11,831 at the time of the 2001 census, it is the third-most populous settlement in La Rioja Province after Chilecito. It is home to the CELPA aerospace test center, founded in 1961 and operated by the Argentine Air Force. The town, which is crossed by the Tirante wadi, lies on the Ruta 38 (Spanish Wikipedia), around 140 km from La Rioja (2 hours by bus), and some 300 km from Córdoba (4 hours by bus).
Chamical | |
|---|---|
City | |
View southwest along Avenida Perón in downtown Chamical. The brushy Sierra de los Quinteros range can be seen in distant background | |
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Seal | |
| Nicknames: Perla de los Llanos ("Pearl of the Plains"), Ciudad del Cohete ("Rocket City") | |
Chamical Map of Argentina with Chamical highlighted | |
| Coordinates: 30°21′S 66°19′W | |
| Country | Argentina |
| Province | La Rioja |
| City status | 1955 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Dora Rodríguez (Justicialist Party) |
| Elevation (at City Hall) | 471 m (1,545 ft) |
| Population (2010 census) | |
| • Total | 12,919 |
| Time zone | UTC-3 (ART) |
| Zip code | F5380 |
| Area code | 03826 |
| Climate | BSh |
This young urban habitation has been an important site in several stages of Argentine history during the past fifty years. Chamical has plentiful wilderness touristic spots, such as "Las Ollitas" (a natural waterfall lake) and "La Salina" (a long salt flat).
Chamical is regarded as the tango hub in La Rioja Province.