San Carlos de Bariloche in Argentina is situated on the foothills of the Andes, surrounded by lakes (Nahuel Huapi, Gutiérrez , Moreno and Mascardi ) and mountains (Tronador, Catedral, López). It is famous for skiing but also great for walking and climbing. Cerro Catedral is one of the most important ski centers in South America.

At the crest of the Andes, with an elevation of over 3000 meters, vegetation is thin and snow almost never disappears. Going eastwards down the slope from Samoré Pass, the road passes through dense yet fairly dry forests which lack the immense rainfall of the woodlands of Chile due to the rain shadow effect, travelling along the shore of Nahuel Huapi. As we move eastwards, the humidity diminishes until the Limay river , where the dry Papas begin.

You can get to Chile by two ways; across the Andes to Puerto Montt via 4 buses and 3 boats, or via the Samor&eacute International Pass to Osorno.

The name Bariloche comes from the Mapuche word Vuriloche and it means "people from behind the mountain" (furi = behind, che = people). The Vuriloche pass was used by the Mapuches to cross the Andes and was kept secret from the Europeans priests for a long time.

Settled primarily by Austrians and Germans about 1895, San Carlos de Bariloche has the appearance of an alpine town. Population (1991) 77,600.

External links

• www.bariloche.org
• www.bariloche.com.ar
• www.onlinehoteles.com/bariloche