Santa Cruz Province, Argentina

Quick Facts: Who was Santa Cruz Province, Argentina?

Subject:

Santa Cruz Province, Argentina

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A vast Argentine province in Patagonia, known for its rugged landscape and indigenous history.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Santa Cruz Province (Spanish: Provincia de Santa Cruz, Spanish pronunciation: [ˈsanta ˈkɾus], "Holy Cross") is a province of Argentina, located in the southern part of the country, in Patagonia. It borders Chubut Province to the north, and Chile to the west and south, with the Atlantic coast to the east. Santa Cruz is the second-largest province of the country (after Buenos Aires Province), and the least densely populated in mainland Argentina. It covers a land area of 243,943 km2 and had a population of 337,226 at the 2022 Census. The indigenous people of the province are the Tehuelches, who despite European exploration from the 16th century onwards, retained independence until the late 19th century.

Career & Major Achievements

Soon after the Conquest of the Desert in the 1870s, the area was organised as the Territory of Santa Cruz, named after its original capital in Puerto Santa Cruz. The capital moved to Rio Gallegos in 1888 and has remained there ever since. Immigrants from various European countries came to the territory in the late 19th and early 20th century during a gold rush. Santa Cruz became a province of Argentina in 1957. The Tehuelches inhabited these lands before the arrivals of the Spanish colonisation.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1520 Ferdinand Magellan arrived to what is currently known as San Julián Bay. 15 years later Martín de Alcazaba explored the area near the Chico River, which he named Gallegos River. Because of the attacks of British privateers, and after the visit of Francis Drake in 1578, the Spaniards sent Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa to fortify and map the Strait of Magellan and prevent access to Spanish posts in the Pacific. In the middle of the 18th century, the Jesuits settled in the area, establishing a few missions. When the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata was created in 1776, the region was set under the rule of Buenos Aires.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1520: 1520 Milestone — In 1520 Ferdinand Magellan arrived to what is currently known as San Julián Bay.
2. 1578: 1578 Milestone — Because of the attacks of British privateers, and after the visit of Francis Drake in 1578, the Spaniards sent Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa to fortify and map the Strait of Magellan and prevent access to Spanish posts in the Pacific.
3. 1776: 1776 Milestone — When the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata was created in 1776, the region was set under the rule of Buenos Aires.
4. 1888: 1888 Milestone — The capital moved to Rio Gallegos in 1888 and has remained there ever since.
5. 1957: 1957 Milestone — Santa Cruz became a province of Argentina in 1957.
6. 2022: 2022 Milestone — It covers a land area of 243,943 km2 and had a population of 337,226 at the 2022 Census.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Santa Cruz Province, Argentina

True or False: “The initial border definition between Argentina and Chile was finalized during the 1902 Arbitral award of the Andes.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While the 1902 award defined most of the border, the border dispute continued, leading to a redraw agreement in 1998.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Santa Cruz Province, Argentina