Catriel

Catriel lies at the far north of Río Negro, in the General Roca department, on the right bank of the Colorado River, on the border with La Pampa and closely tied to Neuquén and southern Mendoza. It has 24,202 residents (2022 census). Sitting on one of the region’s busiest roads, it is called “The Northern Gateway to Patagonia”, and for its main industry, “Provincial Oil Capital”.

Festivals

Provincial Oil Festival: on 29 and 30 November, with exhibitions, local artists and guests.

Climate

Dry and continental, with little rain, strong winds and fewer than 150 frost-free days a year. It sits about 300 metres above sea level.

History

It began as a grazing colony; the original Colonia Catriel was 24 km west of today’s town. In November 1959 YPF struck oil at the “RCO XI” well, and from the 1960s the town grew very quickly.

Distances: Far north of Río Negro · on the border with La Pampa · Colorado River