Río Gallegos, Santa Cruz

Río Gallegos, Santa Cruz

Río Gallegos is the capital and largest settlement of the Patagonian province of Santa Cruz in Argentina. Established on 19 December 1885 to increase Argentine power over southern Patagonia, it became the capital of the then Territory ofSanta Cruz in 1888. Néstor Kirchner, later President of Argentina, served as the city’s mayor from 1987 to 1991.

About Río Gallegos, Santa Cruz in brief

Summary Río Gallegos, Santa CruzRío Gallegos is the capital and largest settlement of the Patagonian province of Santa Cruz in Argentina. Established on 19 December 1885 to increase Argentine power over southern Patagonia, it became the capital of the then Territory ofSanta Cruz in 1888. Néstor Kirchner, later President of Argentina, served as the city’s mayor from 1987 to 1991 and is interred in a mausoleum in a city cemetery. The city has a cold, windy, semi-arid climate, with occasional snow during the winter.

It is one of the windiest cities on earth, with winds above 50 kilometres per hour commonplace, and 100kmh not exceptional. The main association football club is Boca Rio Gallego of the Torneo Argentino B, the fourth tier of Argentine football. It was base of Argentine Air Force Mirage III interceptors and A-4 Skyhawks strike aircraft during the 1982 Falklands War.