SANTA BARBARA

This mountain belongs to the Yungas' or sub tropical mountain forests geographical ambit. It is bprdered by the Salta province in the north, east and south. It has a surface calculated in 4,260 square km. It has a damp and warm weather in the valleys. But it is a bit cold in its heights.

In certain areas there is a southbound wind a constantly blowing. It rains very frequently from December through March. Corn, alfalfa, sugarcane, wheat, barley, oranges, lemons, bananas, peaches, grapes and cherimoyas are grown in the region. Important woods can be found in its forest and breeding cattle, sheep and horses is the main activity of the area.

To get to Villa Monte there is access from San Pedro de Jujuy, through the Nº 1 National Route (paved), and from Palma Sola (consolidated dirt road).

Due to its difficult access and scarce population, the flora and fauna of this region remain almost untouched; and its conservation is intended at the Portal de Piedra.

The area has a camping area with restrooms and a common kitchen, a shed in the middle of the forest or lodging at the house of a local family.

Horse riding and trekking can be enjoyed in horse trails, taking a one or two day long excursions. There is bilingual personel attention.

FUERTE DE SANTA BARBARA FORT

At the outermost eastern part of the Jujuy province, and at 1,300 m. a.s.l., between the Santa Barbara sierra, with a 2,500 m altitude, and the Centinela hill, with 1,970 m, a Spanish fort was built that was also known as the Presidio Santa Barbara prison.

It was meant to contain the indigenous invasions, mostly mobs, coming from El Chaco.

Its current ruins show double stone walls packed with rubble, standing in a rectangular shape with pikes which are extensions of the angles opposite to the road; it had a tile roof.

Different studies agree that the current geometrical trace of the town repeats that of an extensive town of the San Francisco culture.

It is, then, an important archaeological site. The location, of great beauty, is a place to raise cattle and extract wood. The access is precarious during the southern hemisphere's summer and is not recommended to those don't want to risks their lifes.. It has 423 inhabitants.

THERMAL WATERS

Aguas Calientes:
Thes thermal baths are also known as Fuente de la Quinta. Its waters are alkaline, with calcium and magnesium, and have outstanding curative properties with a temperature of about 53º Centigrade.

Palma Sola:
Its name comes from a famous orange grown in the area that bore the name. It is a valley of subtropical weather, standing between two brooks of the Santa Rita stream. Agriculture is the most important economic activity, as their fruit trees are notable.

Villa Monte:
Surrounded by sierras, it has a subtropical weather. The Los Rastrojos and Santa Rita streams can be seen in the neighbourhood.