Mendoza (
IPA /men'doz?/) is the capital city of
Mendoza Province, in
Argentina. It is located in the northern-central part of the province, in a region of foothills and high plains, on the eastern side of the
Andes. As of the
2001 census [INDEC], Mendoza's population was 110,993. The metropolitan population was 848,660 in 2001, making
Greater Mendoza the fourth largest census metropolitan area in the country.
A major road between Argentina and Chile runs through Mendoza and the city is a frequent stopover for climbers on their way to climb Aconcagua (the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere) or for other mountaineering, hiking, horseback riding, rafting, and other sports. In the winter, skiers come to the city for its easy access to the Andes.
Two of the main industries of the Mendoza area are wine making and olive oil production.
Mendoza was founded in 1561 by Pedro del Castillo[2]. Before this time it was populated by three tribes, the Huarpes, the Puelches, and the Incas. The Huarpes devised a system of irrigation that was later developed by the Spanish. This allowed for an increase in population that might not have otherwise occurred. The system is still evident today in the wide trenches that run parallel to the city streets. It is estimated that less than 80 Spanish settlers lived in the area before 1600, but later prosperity increased due to the use of indigenous and slave labour, and the application of the Jesuits present in the region. When rivers were tapped as a source of irrigation in 1788 agricultural production increased. The extra revenues generated from this, and the ensuing additional trade with Buenos Aires, no doubt led to the creation of the state of Cuyo in 1813 with José de San Martín as governor. From Mendoza San Martin would organize the army with which he won the independence of Chile and Peru. [3]
