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BARILOCHE
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Bariloche
San Carlos de Bariloche is a city in the , situated on the foothills of the Andes, surrounded by lakes (Nahuel Huapi, Gutiérrez Lake, Moreno Lake and Mascardi Lake) and mountains (Tronador, Cerro Catedral, Cerro López). It is famous for skiing but also great for sight-seeing, water sports, trekking and climbing. Cerro Catedral is one of the most important ski centers in South America.
History
The name Bariloche comes from the Mapudungun word Vuriloche meaning "people from behind the mountain" (furi = behind, che = people). The Vuriloche pass was used by the Mapuches to cross the Andes and was kept secret from the European priests for a long time.
Settled primarily by Austrians and Germans about 1895, it was first named after pioneer Carlos Wiederhold, who established a little shop near the present city centre after crossing the Andes from Chile. In letters addressed to him, he was erroneously addressed San Carlos instead of Don Carlos, which is why the city was called San Carlos de Bariloche. The city has the appearance of an alpine town, and a population of 93,600 (, 1991: 77,600).
Bariloche was officially founded on 3rd. May, 1902, by a decree of the Executive Branch of the National Government. In 1909 there were 1,250 inhabitants, telegraph, post office, and a road connecting the city with Neuquén. Commerce, however, continued to depend on Chile until the arrival of the railroad in 1934.
Between 1935 and 1940, the Directorate of National Parks carried over a number of urbanistic works, giving the city a characteristic beauty. Among them: the Civic Center (home of a Library, a Theatre, a Museum, the City Hall, the Post Office, the Police Station and the Customs), the Cathedral, Llao Llao Hotel, and others.
Tourism
Tourism, both national and international, is the main economic activity of Bariloche, all year around. The main ski station is the one at Cerro Catedral. During the summer, beautiful beaches such as Playa Bonita and Villa Tacul welcome sun-bathers and some brave lake swimmers (the waters, from melting snow, are always very cold. Lake Nahuel Huapi averages 14 °C in the summertime). The fishing season is another great attraction. Bariloche is the biggest city of a huge Lakes District, and serves as a base for many excursions in the region. Trekking in the mountains, almost completely wild and uninhabited with the exception of a few high-mountain huts, is also a popular activity. The city is also famous for its chocolates.
Besides tourism and the many activities and services associated with it, Bariloche is home to first class scientific and technological activities. The Centro Atómico Bariloche is a research center of the National Atomic Energy Commission, where basic and applied research in many areas of the physical sciences is carried out. One of its departments is the Instituto Balseiro , a higher education institution with a small and carefully selected number of students, that awards degrees in Physics, and in Nuclear and Mechanical Engineering, and Masters and Doctorate degrees in Physics and in Engineering....
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Hotels in Bariloche
 | Villa Huinid Hotel  |
Score 8.625 from 8 reviews | | Avenida Bustillo 2,6 |  |
| Enjoy the specialities from the Patagonian and Mediterranean cuisines served at Batistín Restaurant or savour a coffee, regional dessert or drink at the Lobby Bar. ... more | | |
 | Villa Huinid Lodge |
Score 9.175 from 15 reviews | | Avenida Bustillo 2,6 | |
| Enjoy the specialities from Mediterranean and Patagonian cuisines at Batistín Restaurant. Enjoy also a coffee, regional dessert or a drink in the cosy, warm Lobby Bar, from where you have a great lake view. ... more | | |
 | Cabañas Villa Sofía  |
Score 8.5 from 1 reviews | | Avenida de los Pioneros 100 | |
| The Cabañas Villa Sofía welcomes you to Bariloche offering cozy accommodations for up to 6 people and access to a complete spa, a bar and a restaurant.
The studios, duplexes and apartments range between 36 m² and 65 m² in size. In each of them, an authentic rustic decoration is combined with a practical kitchenette, cable TV and other amenities.
Guests of Cabañas Villa Sofía also count with free parking lots and internet access in the public areas.
In addition, they can enjoy a restaurant, bar and a spa with indoor pool, whirlpool, gym, sauna and other services. ... more | | |
 | Blue Tree Bariloche  |
Score 7.575 from 22 reviews | | Calle San Martín 441 | |
| The 4-star Blue Tree Bariloche is an upscale hotel situated close to the Nahuel Huapi Lake, the Civic Center and the Bartolomé Mitre Street, some of the city’s main attractions.
In addition to comfortable, well-equipped rooms, the Blue Tree offers a welcoming bar and restaurant with tasteful decoration and the best of Patagonian cuisine.
Guests of this hotel are also invited to enjoy the on-site sauna and gym, as well as to unwind and surf the net for free in the cozy lobby. ... more | | |
 | Design Suites Bariloche |
Score 7.8 from 10 reviews | | Av. Bustillo km. 2.5 | |
| Design Suites Restaurant is a 5-star restaurant specialized in international cuisine.
The breakfast buffet is served daily from 7:30 until 10:30. Lunch is served between 12:00 and 20:00. Finally, dinner is served from 20:00 until 23:30. ... more | | |
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The "Centro Cívico"
Inaugurated on March 17, 1940, this was Argentina's first civic center. Designed by architect E. de Estrada, it was built from "ciprés" and "alerce" wood and stone quarried from Carbón mountain. A monument to Julio A. Roca stands in the center of the square. The Centro Cívico was declared a National Monument in 1987. The square is surrounded by buildings hosting the Police Station, the ex-post office and ex-customs offices (now an exhibition salon), the Offices of the Municipal Secretariat of Tourism, the Town Hall, Museum and Sarmiento Library. There is a large clock in the Town Hall tower. When it strikes 12 noon and 6 p.m., 4 figures that represent the area appear: an Indian, a missionary, a "conquistador" and a laborer.
Patagonia Museum "Francisco P. Moreno"
Inaugurated by Parques Nacionales in 1940, the museum is located at the east end of the Centro Cívico.
It was named after Francisco P. Moreno, who explored the Andes and Patagonian rivers, and donated to the government the lands which were to become Argentina's first National Park (see information on Nahuel Huapi National Park).
The museum's first director was Enrique Artayeta. Parques Nacionales acquired the museum's first anthropological and historical collection, which has since increased along with the findings of researchers.
There are various sections, including natural history, prehistory, ethnography and regional history. There is also a Temporary Exhibition room, a public library containing some 3000 books, a Design and Research Department, a collection storeroom and a theater. The museum is administrated by the National Parks superintendence and supported by Asociación Amigos del Museo -Friends of the Museum Association- which has existed since 1985.
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