Maquinchao

Maquinchao is the seat of the Veinticinco de Mayo department in southern Río Negro. It has 2,926 residents (2022 census) and lives mainly on wool production, which is enjoying a new boom.

Things to do

Since 2004 it has been the Provincial Wool Capital and holds the Provincial Wool Festival, with a folk music festival and the National Shearing Championship. The area has archaeological finds — arrowheads, bolas, necklaces and rock paintings — from at least 2,000 years of human presence.

Climate

Cold semi-arid, with about 200 mm a year falling mostly as snow in winter. January averages 18 °C and July 0 °C.

History

The place was known to nomadic peoples following herds of guanacos, and from the 17th century it was a crossroads of indigenous trails between the Negro River, Chubut, Valcheta and the Limay. Explorers such as Claraz, Musters and Perito Moreno passed through. Its name comes from the northern Tehuelche language and means “winter pasture”; the railway station saved it for the town.

Distances: Southern Río Negro · seat of the Veinticinco de Mayo department