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Argentina

Río Gallegos

Administrative centre City City of Argentina Municipality

Río Gallegos, Provincial capital in southern Patagonia, Argentina

Description

Río Gallegos is the capital of the southern province of Santa Cruz in Patagonia, Argentina. The town stretches along the north side of the estuary of the river with the same name and serves as an administrative and commercial hub for the surrounding region.

History

Ramón Lista founded the settlement in 1885 to secure Argentine claims over southern Patagonia. Three years later it became the capital of what was then the Territory of Santa Cruz, which only developed into a province in the 20th century.

Culture

The name comes from a group of Spanish seafarers who were named after Galicia during the early colonial period. Near the harbor stand old corrugated iron houses from the sheep farming era, still inhabited today and reminding visitors of the first settlers.

Practical

The main streets run parallel to the riverbank, where most shops and public buildings can be found. Wind from the South Atlantic can be strong year-round, especially in spring and autumn, so pack windproof clothing.

Did you know?

On the riverbank during summer, hundreds of gulls often gather, defying the strong wind and walking across the pebble beaches. Their presence is a reminder that this town sits at a dividing line between continental Patagonia and the open waters.

Location

Güer Aike Department

Inception

March 4, 1873

Elevation above the sea

6 m

Website

http://mrg.gov.ar

GPS coordinates

-51.62324,-69.21590

Latest update

December 13, 2025 16:36

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