Viedma is the capital city of the Argentine province of Río Negro and the Adolfo Alsina Department of that province.
The city of 47,246 inhabitants (2001) is located on the southern margin of the Río Negro River, 30 kilometres before from the sea, and 960 km from Buenos Aires on the National Route 3.
Together with Carmen de Patagones city across the river in the Buenos Aires Province, it is the oldest settlement in Patagonia, founded by Francisco de Viedma y Narváez under the name of Nuestra Señora del Carmen on April 22, 1779. Originally the two cities were one, both called Carmen de Patagones. The original fort was built on the south side of the river in modern Viedma, but it was destroyed within a few years. A new fort was built on the north side, in the current day Carmen de Patagones. This fort lasted much longer, and the tower still stands today. The town grew here, and eventually expanded back across the river into modern day Viedma. At some point, the town decided to split with the Río Negro as their border.
With the Conquest of the Desert, the city became the capital of all the Argentine Patagonia, and later, when it was divided in further smaller territories, the capital of the Río Negro Territory. Alvaro Barros changed the name of the city to Viedma, in 1879. During severe flooding in 1900, the capital of Río Negro was temporary moved to Choele Choel, but it was quickly restored to Viedma.
During the presidency of Raúl Alfonsín, a proposal to move the capital of Argentina from Buenos Aires to Viedma was presented to Congress. Passed in 1987 by the lower house, the idea did not prosper in the senate.
The main economical activities in the area of the Valle Inferior are cattle, as well as some agriculture with onion, maize and alfalfa being the most important.
The Gobernador Castello Airport (IATA: VDM, ICAO: SAVV) serves flights to Buenos Aires, Neuquén, Bariloche, Puerto Madryn, Trelew, Comodoro Rivadavia, Mar del Plata, and other cities in Argentina. Its located 6 km from the city, and has an average annual traffic of 30,000 passengers. 30 km downstream from Viedma, on the Atlantic shore, the El Cóndor beach resort town is the most visited tourist beach in the area.
External links
- (Spanish) Municipal information: Municipal Affairs Federal Institute (IFAM), Municipal Affairs Secretariat, Ministry of Interior, Argentina.
- Welcome Viedma (English)
- Viedma and around (Spanish)
- Viedma Portal (Spanish)
- Viedma Accommodation Portal (English)
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Coordinates: 40°48′S 63°00′W / 40.8°S 63°W
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