Choele Choel, human settlement
Choele Choel is a small city on the banks of the Río Negro in Argentina's Río Negro province, located in Avellaneda Department. The town spreads out flat in a fertile valley and is marked by simple streets, modest houses, and open green areas.
The city was founded in 1879 by General Conrado Villegas and originally named Nicolás Avellaneda during the Conquest of the Desert, a military campaign to take control of indigenous lands. After a devastating flood, the settlement was moved to its present location in 1882, where the first post office opened in 1883.
The name Choele Choel may come from the Mapuche language and means "yellow flower race," though other explanations suggest it refers to river stones or tree bark. The city is shaped by different communities, including Welsh settlers and Russian Old Believers, who have kept their traditions alive over many generations.
The city is reachable by car via National Routes RN 22 and RN 250, and buses connect it with nearby towns. A small airport for private planes is available, though regular flights to larger cities are uncommon.
The city is home to a rare community of Russian Old Believers who have kept their Orthodox practices and traditional ways of life across generations, offering visitors insight into this distinctive cultural group. Additionally, the area became a refuge for Laotian refugees in the 1970s who settled there and added to the town's diversity.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
