Villa María
Encyclopedia
Villa María is a city in Córdoba Province, Argentina
, and the head town of the General San Martín Department
. It is located in the center of rich agricultural land. The area leads the country in production of milk. The city has a population of 72,162 per the (Greater Villa María: 119,000), which makes it the third city in the province.
The city lies 137 km southeast from the provincial capital
, on the left bank of the Tercero River
, near the geographical center of Argentina, at the intersection of National Routes 9
and 158, and right next to the Cordoba-Buenos Aires Highway, one of the nation's most important communication arteries.
belonging to a wealthy family that then went on to become a Buenos Aires provincial senator and minister, founded by Italians
(170 families), Germans (57 families), and English
(10 families) immigrants. The town grew up around the train station
on the Central Argentine Railway
's line between Rosario and Cordoba
which was completed 1870. In 1875 it became an important railway junction when the Ferrocarril Andino
opened a line linking it to Villa Mercedes
, and later to San Juan
and Mendoza
.
In 1871 the city was even declared Capital of the Republic by the National Congress
, but the law was veto
ed by President
Domingo Faustino Sarmiento
on the grounds that the site was subject to attacks by aboriginal tribes and therefore unsafe for the authorities.
The town became officially a municipality
in 1883. Its first mayor was Pedro Viñas. It only had 825 inhabitants, but it grew so fast that by 1915 it had more than 10,000. Villa María became the seat of a Catholic diocese under Pope Pius XII
, in 1957.
Fall runs from early March to late May, and the change in temperature is progressive: nights are noticeably cooler by March, in April, daytime temperatures are usually between 20°C and 25°C (68F to 77F) and nights between 8°C and 14°C (46F to 57F). By late April, the weather is already very dry, and in May the frost is to be expected.
Winter in Villa Maria runs from late May to late August; daytime temperatures are usually in the range of 12°C to 20°C (53F to 68F) and nighttime lows range from 0°C to 7°C (32F to 45F). Due to the wind, humidity and fog, it often feels much colder than that. Freak variations occur frequently, as temperatures might reach 28°C (82F) for a few days in the winter (but with cool nights) and then fall and stay below 5°C (41F) a few days later. Light frost is very frequent, and moderate frost also occurs. Rain is uncommon, snow even more so. In 2007, an unusual snowstorm brought over 10 cm (4 in) of snow to the city, and temperatures plummeted to -9°C (16F)once and descended below -5°C (23F)every night for an entire week.
Spring is known for being windy with pleasant days and cool nights well into November; however, precipitation is most variable then: sometimes, the normal winter drought can last longer than expected; on other years, very severe thunderstorms bring hail and over 100 mm (4 inches) of rain in a few hours. Temperatures often change extremely quickly at this time: heat waves with 38°C (100F) might be followed by windy days and highs of 15°C (59F) and much colder nights. Frost is frequent until mid-September, but can occur even in early November. Annual precipitation ranges between 760 mm and 800 mm, and falls mostly in the summer.
The business sector or of Villa María, consists of 516 industrial enterprises (which represent about 9% of economic activity), 3,476 commercial enterprises (about 63% of activity) and 1,551 service businesses (about 28%).
The principal raw materials produced in Villa María are milk
, cereal
s, meat, fodder, orchard fruits, oils, skins and leather, clay and organic material, sand, and stone.
The area is in the middle of the nation's most important milk-producing area, with over 1.5 million litres a day, and several dairy factories are located in Villa Maria, Villa Nueva and neighbouring towns (James Craik, Arroyo Cabral, etc.), producing cheese, butter, yoghurt and "dulce de leche". Furthermore, the area is known for its agricultural production, especially soybeans, but also maïze, peanuts, etc. The strong, productive agricultural sector contributes to the economic strength of the city, as many businesses offer services and products (machinery, chemicals and fertilisers, etc.) catered to the sector. Furthermore, inhabitants from rural areas and small towns around Villa Maria often use the city's health, banking, social, commercial and educational services, in addition to shopping in the city during weekends, and investing in real estate. The presence of two university campuses and other higher education institutions attracts large numbers of students from neighboring areas, and ensures a good supply of skilled workforce in various disciplines. All in all, the city is the hub of one of the most prosperous regions in the country.
Since September 2011, regular flights are operated by AeroChaco from Villa Maria's newly inaugurated airport to Aeroparque Jorge Newbery in Buenos Aires city, three times a week both ways. There are also infrequent train services, and a very well-developed bus service, with several private companies competing on quality and fares to main cities as well as regional routes.
(founded 1970, known as UTN), the National University of Villa María
(1997, known as UNVM) and, for distance learning, the Catholic University of Salta (1998).
The UTN offers undergraduate degrees in Mechanical, Chemical and Electronics Engineering, in Information Systems, in Rural BAdmin, English and Education Technologies, and masters in Food Technologies, Quality Engineering, Hygiene and Security, as well as an MBA program and several technical certificates. The school also runs a business school called Escuela de Gestión (EDG).
The UNVM has some 3,000 students and offers undergraduate degrees in Design and Multimedia Production, Music, Education, Phys Ed, Education Management, Psycopedagogy, Nursing, Mathematics, English, Spanish and Literature, Occupational Therapy, Sociology, Local and Regional Development, Political Science, Accounting, Economics, Business, Communication, Social Work, Security, Food Engineering, Information Systems, Veterinary School and Ophtalmology.
The Universidad Catolica de Salta only offers distance learning. The programs include technical certificates in a few fields including Bank and Financial Management, undergraduate degrees in Law, Accounting, B.Admin (B.Comm), International Relations, Education Management and Retail Management, and a masters degree in Ophtalmology.
Furthermore, since 2000, there is a gastronomy school called Capacitar, dedicated to forming chefs, bakers and event managers, offering 2-year careers and short courses as well. Finally, the ESIL-Centro Universitario Mediterraneo also offers university-level education accredited by the National University of Villa Maria. The courses offered are Food Engineering, Agricultural Engineering and Physical Education.
Tertiary education is widely available in the city, with 9 institutions granting degrees. Among these, the Colegio Universitario-IES has part-time classes leading to university degrees in fields such as International Business, Multimedia and Graphics Design, Environmental Management, Financial Management, Information Systems, Logistics, Marketing, Human Resource Management, Virtual Simulations and Videogame Design, Tourism, etc.
The Leibniz institute offers university degrees in Computer Science, and technical degrees in different fields related to Computer Sciences. Several other institutions offer technical degrees.
The variety and quality of university education is remarkable for a city of the size of Villa Maria, and attracts hundreds of students from smaller cities in the province and in the region, making Villa Maria a center for student activities and nightlife. The UNVM has seen continuous growth since its creation in 1997, with a whole neighbourhood of student residences being created around the campus.
Villa María is the seat of the Intermunicipal Entity for Regional Development (Ente Intermunicipal para el Desarrollo Regional, ENINDER), consisting of 29 municipalities associated to effectively project their productive potential; by this means, these municipalities have achieved the highest gross domestic product of the provincial interior.
An airport was inaugurated in late 2010. The infrastructure and the equipment are adequate for commercial airliners such as Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 to operate from the runway, and AeroChaco has begun flying to the city three times a week from Buenos Aires using BA Jetstream 32 airplanes.
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, and the head town of the General San Martín Department
General San Martín Department, Córdoba
General San Martín Department is a department of Córdoba Province in Argentina.The provincial subdivision has a population of about 116,107 inhabitants in an area of 5,006 km², and its capital city is Villa María, which is located around 600 km from Capital Federal.-Settlements:*Arroyo...
. It is located in the center of rich agricultural land. The area leads the country in production of milk. The city has a population of 72,162 per the (Greater Villa María: 119,000), which makes it the third city in the province.
The city lies 137 km southeast from the provincial capital
Córdoba, Argentina
Córdoba is a city located near the geographical center of Argentina, in the foothills of the Sierras Chicas on the Suquía River, about northwest of Buenos Aires. It is the capital of Córdoba Province. Córdoba is the second-largest city in Argentina after the federal capital Buenos Aires, with...
, on the left bank of the Tercero River
Tercero River
The Tercero River , also known as Ctalamochita, is the river of the Córdoba Province with the most important water flow...
, near the geographical center of Argentina, at the intersection of National Routes 9
National Route 9 (Argentina)
National Route 9 is a major road in Argentina, which runs from the center-east to the northwest of the country, crossing the provinces of Buenos Aires, Santa Fe, Córdoba, Santiago del Estero, Tucumán, Salta and Jujuy...
and 158, and right next to the Cordoba-Buenos Aires Highway, one of the nation's most important communication arteries.
History
Villa María was founded on 27 September 1867 by Manuel Anselmo Ocampo, a young PorteñoPorteño
Porteño in Spanish is used to refer to a person who is from or lives in a port city, but it can also be used as an adjective for anything related to those port cities....
belonging to a wealthy family that then went on to become a Buenos Aires provincial senator and minister, founded by Italians
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
(170 families), Germans (57 families), and English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
(10 families) immigrants. The town grew up around the train station
Train station
A train station, also called a railroad station or railway station and often shortened to just station,"Station" is commonly understood to mean "train station" unless otherwise qualified. This is evident from dictionary entries e.g...
on the Central Argentine Railway
Central Argentine Railway
The Central Argentine Railway was one of the Big Four broad gauge, , British-owned companies that built and operated railway networks in Argentina...
's line between Rosario and Cordoba
Córdoba, Argentina
Córdoba is a city located near the geographical center of Argentina, in the foothills of the Sierras Chicas on the Suquía River, about northwest of Buenos Aires. It is the capital of Córdoba Province. Córdoba is the second-largest city in Argentina after the federal capital Buenos Aires, with...
which was completed 1870. In 1875 it became an important railway junction when the Ferrocarril Andino
Ferrocarril Andino
The Ferrocarril Andino was a state-owned company in Argentina which, towards the end of the 19th century, built and operated a railway connecting Villa María in Córdoba Province with the cities of Mendoza and San Juan...
opened a line linking it to Villa Mercedes
Villa Mercedes, San Luis
Villa Mercedes is a city in the province of San Luis, Argentina. It lies on the center-east of the province, on the left-hand banks of the Quinto River, 32 km from the border with Córdoba, on National Route 148, and near the intersection of National Routes 8 and 7. National Route 7 links the city...
, and later to San Juan
San Juan, Argentina
San Juan is the capital city of the Argentine province of San Juan in the Cuyo region, located in the Tulúm Valley, west of the San Juan River, at above mean sea level, with a population of around 112,000 as per the ....
and Mendoza
Mendoza, Argentina
Mendoza is the capital city of Mendoza Province, in Argentina. It is located in the northern-central part of the province, in a region of foothills and high plains, on the eastern side of the Andes. As of the , Mendoza's population was 110,993...
.
In 1871 the city was even declared Capital of the Republic by the National Congress
Argentine National Congress
The Congress of the Argentine Nation is the legislative branch of the government of Argentina. Its composition is bicameral, constituted by a 72-seat Senate and a 257-seat Chamber of Deputies....
, but the law was veto
Veto
A veto, Latin for "I forbid", is the power of an officer of the state to unilaterally stop an official action, especially enactment of a piece of legislation...
ed by President
President of Argentina
The President of the Argentine Nation , usually known as the President of Argentina, is the head of state of Argentina. Under the national Constitution, the President is also the chief executive of the federal government and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.Through Argentine history, the...
Domingo Faustino Sarmiento
Domingo Faustino Sarmiento
Domingo Faustino Sarmiento was an Argentine activist, intellectual, writer, statesman and the seventh President of Argentina. His writing spanned a wide range of genres and topics, from journalism to autobiography, to political philosophy and history...
on the grounds that the site was subject to attacks by aboriginal tribes and therefore unsafe for the authorities.
The town became officially a municipality
Municipality
A municipality is essentially an urban administrative division having corporate status and usually powers of self-government. It can also be used to mean the governing body of a municipality. A municipality is a general-purpose administrative subdivision, as opposed to a special-purpose district...
in 1883. Its first mayor was Pedro Viñas. It only had 825 inhabitants, but it grew so fast that by 1915 it had more than 10,000. Villa María became the seat of a Catholic diocese under Pope Pius XII
Pope Pius XII
The Venerable Pope Pius XII , born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli , reigned as Pope, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958....
, in 1957.
Geography and Climate
Villa Maria lies on a very flat portion Pampa, at an altitude of about 200 meters above sea level, with a gradient northwest to southeast. The Tercero river (also known as Ctalamochita river) separates the city from neighbouring Villa Nueva; due to treacherous currents and varying depth, it is not suitable for navigation (except for canoes and kayaks). The climate has four marked seasons: summers are long (from late November to early March), hot, and humid, with average high temperatures ranging from 28°C to 32°C (82F to 90F) and lows of 15°C to 20°C (59F to 68F). Heat waves are common and may bring temperatures of up to 38°C (100F) and possibly higher for a few days; however, southerly Pampero winds often bring brisk, comfortable weather following storms. Thunderstorms are common as precipitation ranges from 95 mm to 125 mm per month in the summer.Fall runs from early March to late May, and the change in temperature is progressive: nights are noticeably cooler by March, in April, daytime temperatures are usually between 20°C and 25°C (68F to 77F) and nights between 8°C and 14°C (46F to 57F). By late April, the weather is already very dry, and in May the frost is to be expected.
Winter in Villa Maria runs from late May to late August; daytime temperatures are usually in the range of 12°C to 20°C (53F to 68F) and nighttime lows range from 0°C to 7°C (32F to 45F). Due to the wind, humidity and fog, it often feels much colder than that. Freak variations occur frequently, as temperatures might reach 28°C (82F) for a few days in the winter (but with cool nights) and then fall and stay below 5°C (41F) a few days later. Light frost is very frequent, and moderate frost also occurs. Rain is uncommon, snow even more so. In 2007, an unusual snowstorm brought over 10 cm (4 in) of snow to the city, and temperatures plummeted to -9°C (16F)once and descended below -5°C (23F)every night for an entire week.
Spring is known for being windy with pleasant days and cool nights well into November; however, precipitation is most variable then: sometimes, the normal winter drought can last longer than expected; on other years, very severe thunderstorms bring hail and over 100 mm (4 inches) of rain in a few hours. Temperatures often change extremely quickly at this time: heat waves with 38°C (100F) might be followed by windy days and highs of 15°C (59F) and much colder nights. Frost is frequent until mid-September, but can occur even in early November. Annual precipitation ranges between 760 mm and 800 mm, and falls mostly in the summer.
Economy
Villa Maria sits in one of the country's most prosperous regions: it is located along the Buenos Aires-Rosario-Cordoba axis which concentrates most of the population, industry and transportation in the country, on the longest national highway, and on a cross-road with a vital road going from most of Western Argentina to Brazil. The distance to Cordoba, with 1.5 million inhabitants and famous for its educational institutions, is about 145 km, whereas the distance to Rosario (1.4 million inhabitants) and the main ports of the Parana river is 300 km. Buenos Aires is 550 km away.The business sector or of Villa María, consists of 516 industrial enterprises (which represent about 9% of economic activity), 3,476 commercial enterprises (about 63% of activity) and 1,551 service businesses (about 28%).
The principal raw materials produced in Villa María are milk
Milk
Milk is a white liquid produced by the mammary glands of mammals. It is the primary source of nutrition for young mammals before they are able to digest other types of food. Early-lactation milk contains colostrum, which carries the mother's antibodies to the baby and can reduce the risk of many...
, cereal
Cereal
Cereals are grasses cultivated for the edible components of their grain , composed of the endosperm, germ, and bran...
s, meat, fodder, orchard fruits, oils, skins and leather, clay and organic material, sand, and stone.
The area is in the middle of the nation's most important milk-producing area, with over 1.5 million litres a day, and several dairy factories are located in Villa Maria, Villa Nueva and neighbouring towns (James Craik, Arroyo Cabral, etc.), producing cheese, butter, yoghurt and "dulce de leche". Furthermore, the area is known for its agricultural production, especially soybeans, but also maïze, peanuts, etc. The strong, productive agricultural sector contributes to the economic strength of the city, as many businesses offer services and products (machinery, chemicals and fertilisers, etc.) catered to the sector. Furthermore, inhabitants from rural areas and small towns around Villa Maria often use the city's health, banking, social, commercial and educational services, in addition to shopping in the city during weekends, and investing in real estate. The presence of two university campuses and other higher education institutions attracts large numbers of students from neighboring areas, and ensures a good supply of skilled workforce in various disciplines. All in all, the city is the hub of one of the most prosperous regions in the country.
Since September 2011, regular flights are operated by AeroChaco from Villa Maria's newly inaugurated airport to Aeroparque Jorge Newbery in Buenos Aires city, three times a week both ways. There are also infrequent train services, and a very well-developed bus service, with several private companies competing on quality and fares to main cities as well as regional routes.
Institutions
The city has several institutions of higher education: the National Technological UniversityNational Technological University
The National Technological University is a National University of Argentina, specializing in engineering and exact sciences. Hosting over 75,000 students, its student body is comparable to Argentina's third-largest university and exceeded significantly only by the University of Buenos Aires...
(founded 1970, known as UTN), the National University of Villa María
National University of Villa María
The National University of Villa María is an Argentine national university located city of Villa María in Córdoba Province.-See also:*** Argentine Universities...
(1997, known as UNVM) and, for distance learning, the Catholic University of Salta (1998).
The UTN offers undergraduate degrees in Mechanical, Chemical and Electronics Engineering, in Information Systems, in Rural BAdmin, English and Education Technologies, and masters in Food Technologies, Quality Engineering, Hygiene and Security, as well as an MBA program and several technical certificates. The school also runs a business school called Escuela de Gestión (EDG).
The UNVM has some 3,000 students and offers undergraduate degrees in Design and Multimedia Production, Music, Education, Phys Ed, Education Management, Psycopedagogy, Nursing, Mathematics, English, Spanish and Literature, Occupational Therapy, Sociology, Local and Regional Development, Political Science, Accounting, Economics, Business, Communication, Social Work, Security, Food Engineering, Information Systems, Veterinary School and Ophtalmology.
The Universidad Catolica de Salta only offers distance learning. The programs include technical certificates in a few fields including Bank and Financial Management, undergraduate degrees in Law, Accounting, B.Admin (B.Comm), International Relations, Education Management and Retail Management, and a masters degree in Ophtalmology.
Furthermore, since 2000, there is a gastronomy school called Capacitar, dedicated to forming chefs, bakers and event managers, offering 2-year careers and short courses as well. Finally, the ESIL-Centro Universitario Mediterraneo also offers university-level education accredited by the National University of Villa Maria. The courses offered are Food Engineering, Agricultural Engineering and Physical Education.
Tertiary education is widely available in the city, with 9 institutions granting degrees. Among these, the Colegio Universitario-IES has part-time classes leading to university degrees in fields such as International Business, Multimedia and Graphics Design, Environmental Management, Financial Management, Information Systems, Logistics, Marketing, Human Resource Management, Virtual Simulations and Videogame Design, Tourism, etc.
The Leibniz institute offers university degrees in Computer Science, and technical degrees in different fields related to Computer Sciences. Several other institutions offer technical degrees.
The variety and quality of university education is remarkable for a city of the size of Villa Maria, and attracts hundreds of students from smaller cities in the province and in the region, making Villa Maria a center for student activities and nightlife. The UNVM has seen continuous growth since its creation in 1997, with a whole neighbourhood of student residences being created around the campus.
Villa María is the seat of the Intermunicipal Entity for Regional Development (Ente Intermunicipal para el Desarrollo Regional, ENINDER), consisting of 29 municipalities associated to effectively project their productive potential; by this means, these municipalities have achieved the highest gross domestic product of the provincial interior.
An airport was inaugurated in late 2010. The infrastructure and the equipment are adequate for commercial airliners such as Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 to operate from the runway, and AeroChaco has begun flying to the city three times a week from Buenos Aires using BA Jetstream 32 airplanes.