La Rioja ( local pronunciation ), founded as City of All Saints of New Rioja (in spanish: Ciudad de Todos los Santos de Nueva Rioja), is the capital and largest city of La Rioja Province, Argentina, located in the east of the province. The city and its eponymous province are named after La Rioja, a region in Spain. La Rioja is located on the foot of the Velasco Sierras, 1167 km from Buenos Aires, and 430 km from Córdoba.

History

It was founded in 1591 by the governor of Tucumán Province.

Geography

Climate

La Rioja has a semi-arid climate (BSh, according to the Köppen climate classification), with average temperatures of 5 C to 19 C in winter and 21 C to 35 C in summer, but with maximum temperatures of more than 45 C. The average annual rainfall is 411.4 mm, falling almost exclusively during the summer when moist tropical air from the northeast enters the region. The highest recorded temperature was 46.4 C on 28 December 1971 while the lowest recorded temperature was -7.2 C on 5 August 1966.

Sights

The Museo Folklórico is set in a 17th-century building, and its displays include local chaya music and the Tinkunaco festival. The 35,000-capacity Estadio Carlos Augusto Mercado Luna is located in La Rioja.

Transportation

The city is served by Capitán Vicente Almandos Almonacid Airport, with flights on Aerolíneas Argentinas.