A journey of discovery in Salta, Argentina

The province Salta whose capital bears the same name is located in the northwest of Argentina. Its name was derived from the Quenchua Indians , the Lule or the Sahta.

The west and the north of the province are very mountainous with the Andes and four more parallel mountain chains. The fertile valleys are nurtured by little streams which discharge into the rivers of Bermejo and Salado. In the east, the landscape is flat and versatile with swamps and wetlands, which are part of the Gran Charco.

The capital with approx. 400,000 inhabitants is in the centre of the province. Though, culture and way of living of the aborigines is still very present, the numbers of indigenous people dwindle at only about 20,000 people. Among these existing tribes are the Mataco, Chiriguano, Chorote and Chane.

Because of its history and culture, Salta is extraordinary and quite surprising. This province has an impressive landscape and lively capital with a busy historic city centre. One of the most well known railway tracks starts in Salta. The high train "tren a las nubes," translated as "train through the clouds," brings one from Salta to Antofagasta in Chile. It is a very pleasant journey to travel in between the mountain chains through the valleys of Calchaquies to the old town of Cafayate with its rich wine region.