Jujuy Province

The most northwest province in Argentina, Jujuy Province borders Chile and Bolivia. Before being settled by Spaniards in 1593, the Incas lived in the area. Jujuy is extremely rural with little development. The main economic product is sugar cane and Jujuy’s sugar cane production accounts for 30% of Argentina’s sugarcane supply. Lots of wool from llamas and guanacos comes from Jujuy. Jujuy grows many native vegetables for local production.

In Jujuy, one can see and feel the closeness to third world Bolivia through the food, architecture, landscape, and general culture. The large differences in altitude in the region create many canyons and deserts, creating memorable bus rides and scenery. Salt flats are in the very north on the border with Bolivia and make for popular day and overnight trips. Tourists come to the tiny (53,220 kilometers squared or 20,550 miles squared) province to see the Quebrada de Humahuaca (Humahuaca Ravine) and it’s close by adobe villages, such as Tilcara, appearing as if from a time before colonization. Purmamarca, a popular adobe village is known for its 7 colored mountains (a mountain range with colors such as green, purple, brown, and shades in between) as the backdrop of the small adobe village. These villages sell typical northern Argentine food such as humitas at street stalls (see Argentine Cuisine in Argentine Culture), many alpaca wool jackets and hats, and handicrafts.

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