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Resistencia, Chaco
Resistencia is a city in northern Argentina, the capital of the Chaco Province, located on a tributary of the Parana River. As of the , the population of the city proper is 274,490 inhabitants. The metropolitan area totals 359,590, the 11th largest in Argentina.
Resistencia is a commercial and transportation center for the sparsely inhabited frontier region to the northwest. Major manufactures include processed food, textiles, refined metal, and wood and leather products. The river port of Barranqueras is nearby.
Originally called San Fernando del Rio Negro, the site was settled in the 17th century as a Jesuit mission and then abandoned in the late 18th century. Following Argentina's war with Paraguay , the site was reestablished as an important military outpost. Its present name was adopted in 1876.
Climate
The region is characteristically subtropical with out a dry season. An average of of rain fall every year, often causing temporary flooding. Temperatures in the summer tend to be in the high 90s F and are intensified by high humidity. Winters are temperate and temperatures rarely get below freezing. In recorded history, snow has never fallen in the city.
Flooding
Seasonal flooding is characteristic of Resistencia and follow every hard rain. There are various reasons for the flooding:
The city situated in a geographical depression, so it is often impossible for the rain to naturally run off into the Negro or Parana Rivers. Water from heavy rains must be pumped out.
The soil has a high concentration of clay which makes filtration difficult.
Systems of levies have been erected to reclaim land from surrounding lagoons in order to accommodate a growing population.The biggest threat to the city, however, is not the seasonal flooding caused by heavy rains but the periodic rising of the Parana River that occurs about every 20 years. The most recent occurrences where in 1962, 1982 and 1997. The river rising in 1982 was especially devastating because one of the levees the protect the city burst flooding the city for some time.
Water
Although some locals can drink the water, it's generally not advised to do so. Most tourists and locals either drink bottled water, soft drinks, or cordial.
Tourism
The city does not have many touristic attractions, except for the woodcarving contest celebrated every year for one week in July. Recent editions of the contest also included works in marble and ice, the last one very rare because of the city's subtropical weather, where temperatures below 5 C are unusual. The sculptures usually remain in the city, placed in sidewalks and parks all over the city. This has led to city being know as "The city of the sculptures" and an "Open Air Museum" (over 400 sculptures have already been placed). The city has a tax promotion which frees anyone who places a sculpture in a visible place in front of his house from taxes for one year. From Resistencia City, one can go on amusing tours or excursions - fishing in Parana River, visiting San Fernando de Rio Negro Abipone Indians Settlement, Villa Paranacito Resort and the various museums.
A few kilometers away, one can visit Corrientes City through the Barranqueras port area and General Belgrano Bridge. In the surroundings, regional products and pottery, bows, arrows, baskets, weaves and leather crafts are available.
Other interesting sites to visit include Guacara Ruins, Makalle old Fortress, San Buenaventura del Monte Alto Indians Settlement, Puerto Bermejo and Las Palmas Town.
Night Life
The night life in Resistencia is some of the best in the region. There are about six good clubs and a plethora of bars and pubs.
References
Municipality of Resistencia - Official website.
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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Resistencia, Chaco
