METAN

Its name is derived from the Lule-Mepao language and means "Honey People". Founded in 1859, in lands donated by don José I. Sierra, it was the background for historical episodes such as the death of Marco Avellaneda in 1841, and the Las Piedras battle, 25 kms away.

In these days, Metan is an active agricultural and stockbreeding centre. It is placed in a flat area, with mountains to the west of the pre-cordillera, crossed by numerous rivers and streams runing down from them.

Alongside the Río de Las Conchas River and the Rutas Nacionales Nº 9 and Nº 34 National Routes, the municipal resort gives its services. It has modern public buildings, but keeps, as well, some of colonial style, like that of the City Council. San José, the local patronsaint, is celebrated on the 19th of March.

One of the tourist attractions is the ride to the Junta de Valderrama, at the foot of the Metán sierra, and at the junction of the two streams that form the Las Conchas River. Mountain climbing is regularly practised in the area.