Informations on Caleta Olivia

About Caleta Olivia

Caleta Olivia is a city located at the northeast of the Argentine province of Santa Cruz, on the San Jorge Gulf by the Atlantic Ocean. It has a population of 36,000 inhabitants (2001 census [INDEC]). It is the second most important city of the province after Rio Gallegos, and the most populated of the Deseado Department.

The city was founded on November 20, 1901 by Navy Lieutenant Exequiel Guttero, captain of the Guardia Nacional, a ship which was transporting cables, equipment and workers for the construction of a telegraph line south of Comodoro Rivadavia. The settlement was given the name of his wife Olivia (caleta means "small bay", "inlet").

The main economical activities around the city are the petroleum, sheep and fishing. Its port serves both as a fishing centre, and as an exportation point for other locally produced goods.

In spite of the southern position of the city, it has moderate temperatures due to the regulation of the ocean, with beaches visited during sunny days in summer, where different water and sand sports are practiced.

Among the monuments of the city, probably the most characteristic is that of "El Gorosito", build to honour the petroleum worker.