San Juan

San Juan is a major city in Capital Department, Argentina, sitting in the Tulúm Valley at 640 meters (2,100 feet) and stretching along the river of the same name with mountains on three sides. The street grid shows wide avenues and tree-shaded roads linked by public buses.

Juan Jufré founded the settlement in 1562, which relocated three kilometers south in 1593 due to flooding. The 1944 earthquake destroyed much of the town, prompting reconstruction with earthquake-resistant structures.

Named after John the Baptist, the city's patron saint, and residents call themselves Sanjuaninos. Vineyards and olive groves shape the surroundings while postwar architecture defines the downtown.

The street layout with wide avenues makes orientation straightforward, and public buses connect different neighborhoods. Domingo Faustino Sarmiento Airport offers domestic flights and sits close to downtown.

A network of irrigation canals runs through the streets and keeps green spaces alive in this desert region. These canals transform the dry terrain into an oasis with parks and shaded avenues.

Location: Capital Department

Inception: 1562

Elevation above the sea: 640 m

Website: https://municipiosanjuan.gob.ar

GPS coordinates: -31.53750,-68.53639

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:40