La Pampa

Birding La Pampa

La Pampa is a province of Argentina, located in the Pampas in the center of the country. Neighboring provinces are from the north clockwise San Luis, Córdoba, Buenos Aires, Río Negro, Neuquén and Mendoza.

Situated in the middle of the pampas, the low, flat steppe receives 500 mm of rain a year, diminishing towards the West. The low humidity and temperate weather result in high contrast in temperature between day and night, which is reflected in the vegetation of the region.Northwestern La Pampa is part of the pampa humida, adjacent to the Province of Buenos Aires. The influence of the Cuyo region can be seen in the west, with a low mountain range of 600 meters.There are only two major rivers in the province: the Colorado (“Red River”) on the border with the Province of Río Negro, and the Salado (“Salty River”) crossing it. The Salado’s level has been dropping, as its tributaries in the Province of Mendoza are diverted for irrigation.

La Pampa has long been Argentina’s most economically agricultural province, producing almost 20% above the national average. It contibutes a fourth to La Pampa’s economy, the most important activity being cattle ranching with other livestock including sheep, goats and pigs. The Northeast, on the more fertile lands, has also an important activity with wheat, maize, alfalfa, barley, and other cereals. There’s also a dairy industry of 300 centres of extraction and 25 cheese factories, honey production, and salt extraction from salt basins. La Pampa is home to very little industry, construction or mining.