RAWSON

Patagonia's "Little Brazilia", as this pushy little city of Rawson is called, was the first town of the Welsh rural colony formed on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in the late 19th century.

Rawson has been the capita cityl of Chubut province since 1957.

In August 1854, in the company of dozens of Italian, German, English and local adventurers, the Welsh businessman Henry Libanus Jones arrived here. His aim was to exploit the wild cattle which were believed to be abundant in the area. But all he could to find were some fossil remains.

Jones left the area, but his experience served a group of Welsh colonists who took over the existing Fortín Viejo and founded, on September 15th of that year the town of Tre Rawson (Rawson town, in Cymry), naming it after the Interior Minister, Guillermo Rawson, who had helped them so much.

Thanks to the labours of its authorities and residents, Rawson started growing steadily during the 20th century, incorporating technology corresponding to its status as capital city.

The railway arrived, the Playa Unión beach facilities were inaugurated, the first Spanish-language newspaper was published, and the old commercial port was transformed into a fishing one.

Rawson is the third largest fishing port on the Argentinean seaboard.

And so to today: a typical day in this port city will be bustling with activity in the morning to be followed by a peaceful afternoon when one can discover the beauty of its boulevards and gardens.

Together with the Playa Unión beach next to the port, Rawson serves as a tourist venue in all seasons. Its shores offer beautiful beaches where one can practice many sports and feel bond with nature.

In a sea-lion filled environment, thanks to its fishing activity, tourists will go into ecstasies over the delicious dishes prepared in the port area: salmon, cod, hake and pejerrey, all just out of the sea.

From its center, Rawson associates with main tourist attractions such as Trelew, Gaiman, Península Valdés, Punta Tombo, Punta Norte, Florentino Ameghino Dam, Puerto Madryn, Camarones and others.

Its population is 25,000 residents, and its district covers 3,122 square km.

WHAT TO VISIT
An ideal stroll around Rawson could, perhaps, start at the central square or Plazoleta Central.

María Auxiliadora Church
On the corner of San Martín Av is the María Auxiliadora Church, whose construction began in 1886. Murals depicting the wedding of Canaan in Galilee may be seen inside.

It belongs to the Salesian Order; they founded the Good Shepherd Hospital in 1920. For many years, this and the one in Viedma were the only two hospitals in Argentine Patagonia.

Don Bosco Regional Museum
The Salesians collected religious items to form a museum with them in 1941. It is sited besides the María Auxiliadora Church.

Here one may find religious cult objects that have belonged to the Welsh colony, weapons used during the "conquest of the desert" (Indian clearance drive) and a wooden Welsh cart built in 1875.

There is a very interesting collection of 32 engraved stones, carved in relief are images depicting the human figure and snake, sun and moon symbols. They were discovered in Gan-Gan, during the second decade of the past century. Specialists would rather attribute them to European settlers and not to the native Indians.

José Hernández Cultural Center
This exhibits work of quite important and talented artists. It can also be used for musical events and festivals as well as for plays and screening of films, and other activities.

Government House
The headquarters of the local government, on Fontana St (triangular block), shows mural paintings by Alejandro Lanöel. On the opposite corner stands the Post Office building, constructed in stone with roof tiles, the official architecture of the forties.

Civic Center
Going around the plaza and continuing along Fontana Street, you will find the Civic Center (Rawson's movie theater), and with it, the "Jardín de las Banderas" and the Provincial Hotel.