Cuyo (Argentina)

Statistics

Population and area of provinces, according to the :

Provincial Gross Domestic Product (nominal) per capita, the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year, divided by the average population for the same year is in the table below, based on data for the year 2013 for the 23 provinces:

Climate

The region of Cuyo has an arid climate or a semi-arid climate with an average annual precipitation of about 100 to that is generally unreliable from year to year. The region, which encompasses a wide range of latitudes combined with elevations ranging from 500 m to nearly 7,000 m means that it has a diverse range of different climates. In general, most of the region has a temperate climate with higher elevation valleys having a more milder climate. At the highest elevations (over 4,000 m), icy conditions persist year round. Amongst all locations in Argentina, the region has the largest diurnal range in the country with areas in San Juan Province having a diurnal range exceeding 19.1 C-change. The Andes prevent rain–bearing clouds from the Pacific Ocean from coming in, while its latitude puts it in a band of the sub-tropical high pressure belt keeping this region dry. With very low humidity, abundant sunshine throughout the year, and a temperate climate, the region is suitable for wine production. Most of the precipitation falls during the summer, when hot temperatures and high insolation lead to the development of a low pressure system ("Chaco low") situated over northern Argentina that interacts with the South Atlantic anticyclone to generate a pressure gradient that brings moist easterly winds to the region, favouring precipitation, which mostly occurs in the form of convective thunderstorms. Higher elevation locations receive precipitation in the form of snow during the winter months.{{cite web|url= http://elbibliote.com/resources/Temas/paises/026_027_argentina_region_sierras_pampeanas.pdf

Summers in the region are hot and generally very sunny, averaging as much as 10 hours per day. In contrast, winters are dry and cold and average around 7–8 hours of sunshine per day. At higher elevation locations and in the western parts of Mendoza province, the mean annual temperatures range from -1.7 C in Cristo Redentor to 13.6 C with a larger difference in temperatures between winter and summer months. In San Juan Province, the mean annual temperature ranges from 17.3 C in the provincial capital to -0.2 C.{{cite web|url= http://www.cricyt.edu.ar/ladyot/catalogo/cdandes/cap10.htm#inhalt The Sierras Pampeanas, which cross into both San Juan province and San Luis province have a milder climate with mean annual temperatures ranging from 12 to. In all locations, at elevations over 3,800 m, permafrost is present while icy conditions persist year round at elevations over 4,000 m.

The Zonda, a Foehn wind characterized by warm, dry air can cause temperatures to exceed 30 C in some cases while in summer, temperatures can exceed 45 C such as in 2003. This wind often precedes following a cold front passage across Argentina and tends to occur when a low pressure system brings heavy rain to the Chilean side, and when an upper-level trough allows the winds to pass over the Andes to descend downwards. As such, when a zonda wind event occurs, the temperature may raise as much as 20 C in a few hours with humidity approaching 0%. Temperatures can dip below -10 to at the higher elevations.

Tourism

As in other parts of Argentina, nature tourism is an important source of income. Amongst sites that receive a large number of visitors, the following are its main attractions:

• Aconcagua
• Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia
• Las Leñas
• Biosphere Reserve of Ñacuñán
• San Rafael
• Barreal
• Difunta Correa
• Ischigualasto
• El Trapiche
• Merlo

|File:Atuel River Mendoza Argentina by PabloBD.jpg|The Atuel River, Mendoza Province. |File:Bodega-Mendoza-453062805.jpg|In the Cuyo region, considerable agroindustrial wine production stands out. |File:537_Arg_Uspallata_Puente_Inca.JPG|Puente del Inca natural monument. |File:Castillos_de_Pincheira.jpg|The Pincheira's Castles Provincial Reserve.

References

References

1. "Censo 2022".
2. (2012). "Central-West Argentina Summer Precipitation Variability and Atmospheric Teleconnections". Journal of Climate.
3. (2014). "Multi Hazard Scenarios in the Mendoza/San Juan Provinces, Cuyo Region Argentina". Procedia Economics and Finance.
4. "Reseña de la vitivinicultura argentina". Acenología.
5. "South American Viticulture, Wine Production, and Climate Change". Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina.
6. "Datos extremos en el país y en el mundo". Servicio Meteorológico Nacional.
7. "Climate Overview". Met Office.
8. (2002). "Climatic change and quasi-oscillations in central-west Argentina summer precipitation: main features and coherent behaviour with southern African region". Climate Dynamics.
9. (2007). "The Physical Geography of South America". Oxford University Press.
10. "Provincia de Mendoza–Clima Y Metéorologia". Secretaria de Mineria de la Nacion (Argentina).
11. "Provincia de San Juan–Clima Y Metéorologia". Secretaria de Mineria de la Nacion (Argentina).
12. "Argentina". BBC Weather.
13. (2008). "The severe zonda wind event of 11 July 2006 east of the Andes Cordillera (Argentine): a case study using the BRAMS model". Climate Dynamics.
14. (2008). "Synoptic and Thermodynamic Analysis of an Extreme Heat Wave over Subtropical South America".
15. (2003). "Analysis of Three Situations of the Foehn Effect over the Andes (Zonda Wind) using the Eta–CPTEC Regional Model". Weather and Forecasting.
16. (1998). "The Andes & Associated Circulations over Central & Eastern South America".
17. (2006). "Influence of the Subtropical Andes on Baroclinic Disturbances: A Cold Front Case Study". Monthly Weather Review.