Neuquén

Neuquén - Photos: 1 y 3. Jorge González / 2. Santiago Gaudio

apital city of the homonimous province, Neuquén is situated in Confluencia, the site where the Limay and Neuquén Rivers converge and give origin to the Negro River.
You can get there through Route 22 across the High Valley of Río Negro, or along the Camino del Desierto ("Road of the Desert") passing by Catriel and 25 de Mayo cities. Hardly 5 km. from Neuquén and after crossing the river bearing the same name, there is another booming urban center: Cipolletti City, in the neighbouring province of Río Negro.
The cliffs on the flanks of these rivers create an adequate environment for Neuquén, which had a strong development in the sixties and seventies due to hydroelectrical and oil investments.
The orchards surrounding Neuquén and the vigour of a city without inactive timetables will give you a strong impression of the power of Patagonia from its very beginning.