Choele Choel

Choele Choel is the seat of the Avellaneda department and the largest town in the Middle Valley of the Negro River. It lies on the left bank of the river, facing Choele Choel Island (Isla Grande), in a farming oasis irrigated by the river, which forms a group of islands here.

Things to do

The farms grow tomatoes, apples, pears and strawberries, turned into preserves, sauces and cured meats. Every May, the Provincial Calf Festival honours country people with a horse-taming contest at the Rural Society grounds, beside National Route 22.

Getting here

National routes 22 and 250 meet here. It has an airfield for private light aircraft and helicopters.

Climate

Semi-arid: hot, dry, sunny summers and cold winters, with a July average of 7.9 °C. About 426 mm of rain falls each year.

History

On 9 July 1879 Colonel Conrado Villegas founded the “Town of Nicolás Avellaneda” on Pacheco Island, later renamed Choele Choel. A flood swept it away and on 18 March 1882 the town moved to its present site. Today it is a cosmopolitan area, settled by people of many origins.

Distances: Middle Valley of the Negro River · national routes 22 and 250