History

Calafate is situated in a protected
area of the cost of Lago Argentino
at the bottom of the mountain chain that has the same name.
Inhabited for more than 13.000 years
by different groups of people
that gradually formed the Tehuelche tribes.
At the present time we know
and observe part of their history through their rupestrian art.
We find few traces of these people
such as funeral deposits, caves, cave paintings,
stone or shell work areas as well
as the history of early expeditions.
The first explorer that came in 1782
was Antonio de Viedma who began a great period of many expeditions in the southern area of Patagonia.
One of the most famous expedition
was organised by an English Captain
called Robert Fits Roy
who brought Charles Darwin with him.
Many others were also memorable such
as Piedrabuena´s expedition
or Francisco Pascasio Moreno´s works.

During the first expeditions
many settlers came with the explorers
and at the end of the XIX century
they became skillful businessmen living along the route
that linked the mountain chain with the coast.
Their shops were gradually surrounded
with houses and on 7th december,
1927 was officially ruled by
decree the creation of the village.
Their inhabitants made their livings by breeding animals,
in general there was flocks of sheep.
The improvements in communications
and technology as well as the
gradually increase in tourism all over the world
have made possible that people visit
the village as a holiday destination.
In addition to this,
asphalt improvements in the motorway to
Rio Gallegos village have highly encouraged
the growth of the town.
In 2000 the internacional airport
was opened and in this way Calafate
was consolidated in its position as a touristy destination.





What is Calafate?

Calafate is not only the name of the city,
it is also the name of the brook
that runs through it and the name
of the group of hills that surround ithe city.
Furthermore, it is the name
of a little bush that existed in large quantities
on the alluvial plain near the lake.
The scientific name of the bush named Calafate
is “berberis drawiniae”.
It is short and has small leaves
and dark purple fruits very similar to
Arandano and Sauco (both are berries ).
The Calafate is used to prepare delicious marmalade,
sauce and ice-creams.
It is believed that everyone who eats
Calafate fruit will return again.
This traditional idea or thought
is believed to come into existence
from the story of “Koonex”.
She was an old tehuelche woman
that was incapable of following
her group during a wintry migration.
The tribe used to migrate during winter
seasons looking for better living conditions.
She decided to wait in a shelter that was made
by the other women of the tribe for this purpose.
According to the legend it is believed
that she felt alone and because
of that she changed into a bush to give birds
food and shelter during autumn and winter seasons.
Every year the tehuelches came back to collect its fruits.



Climate

Calafate has the same extreme weather conditions
as the whole Patagonia. However,
it is time to dispel the myth of being an unbearable weather.
The geographical position indicates that
the latitude of Calafate is at 50° 20’ degrees south.
This position is equal to London’s in the north hemisphere so Calafate is not inaccessible.
Another surprising reference
to the climate in this Santa Cruz ‘s province
town is that there is no more
than an average annual raining
rate of 300 million of precipitation
and mainly in the form of snow.
This guarantees excellent weather conditions
and a clear sky without clouds.
The Lago Argentino
waters also increase the medium temperature.
In addition to this the smooth south slopes
act as natural barriers against the winds.
As a result, there is more pleasant weather
here than in the surrounding plateau.
Therefore, there are not frequently cloudy days in Calafate.
The average of temperature is between 12°C and minus O°C.
For this reason it is a must to bring warm clothes but nothing different from those that are usually worn in a skiing center.