Salta

Salta, Argentina. Founded in 1582, Salta, the capital of the province of the same name in northwest Argentina, is known for its fine colonial architecture.

Salta, Argentina, capital of the Andean province of the same name. The town has fine examples of architecture from the colonial period, including the cathedral, and colonial-style architecture is also used in the construction of many modern buildings.

Province in northwest Argentina, bordering Chile in the west and Bolivia in the north; area 155,488 sq km/60,034 sq mi; population (1996) 866,153; capital Salta. The principal crops grown are wheat, maize, sugar cane, rice, tobacco, and fruit. Stock raising is important, a wide variety of animals being reared, such as cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, horses, mules, and donkeys. Some of Argentina's main oilfields and refineries lie in the province; an oil pipeline runs to San Lorenzo on the River Paraná.

In the west of the province are the mountain ranges, valleys, and basins of the high Andes; most of the province lies in the altiplano (high plateau) region, with an average altitude of over 2,000 m/6,500 ft. In the far east of Salta, however, there is some low-lying, forested land adjoining the Chaco plains.

There is scant rainfall here, but artificial irrigation schemes have allowed the valleys to be intensively cultivated. The General Belgrado dam is used for irrigation, flood control, and hydroelectric power.

With the exception of iron ore and lead, other minerals are not exploited on a significant scale because of transport difficulties.