Chancaní
Chancaní | |
|---|---|
Locality and commune | |
| Country | Argentina |
| Province | Córdoba Province |
| Department | Pocho Department |
| Elevation | 375 m (1,230 ft) |
| Population (2022) | |
• Total | 572 |
| Demonym | Chancaniense |
| Time zone | UTC−3 (ART) |
| Postal code | X5871 |
| Area code | 03542 |
Chancaní is a locality and commune in Pocho Department, Córdoba Province, Argentina. It lies in western Córdoba, about 265 km west of the city of Córdoba, on the plain west of the Sierra de Pocho. The 2022 census recorded 572 inhabitants, compared with 422 in 2010.
The Parque Natural Provincial y Reserva Forestal Natural Chancaní lies near the locality. Chancaní also provides access to the western side of the Los Túneles road through the Sierra de Pocho.
Geography
[edit | edit source]Chancaní stands at about 375 metres above sea level near the western foot of the Sierra de Pocho. The surrounding plain forms part of the dry Chaco region. Much of the remaining woodland consists of vegetation adapted to low rainfall, including quebracho and algarrobo.
Streams descending from the Sierra de Pocho have seasonal flows, and water becomes scarcer farther onto the plain. During the 1960s, residents built a wall and channel that diverted water from the Mermela watercourse toward cisterns and reservoirs used by Chancaní.
The Chancaní Natural Reserve covers about 4,960 hectares near the locality. It protects western Chaco woodland on the lower slopes of the Sierra de Pocho and around the Quebrada de la Mermela. The provincial government created the protected area on 24 October 1986.
History
[edit | edit source]Before Spanish settlement, the Chancaní area was inhabited by Comechingón communities. The name is traditionally derived from Changane, an early recorded name for the locality. It was later called Rodeo Grande and subsequently Capilla del Carmen before Chancaní returned to use.
In 1584, Diego de Funes received an encomienda in the Salsacate valley and established a holding at Changane. He built a house there and constructed irrigation works for cultivation. Indigenous labour was used to build an early chapel. Funes was later killed during an Indigenous uprising against mistreatment by the colonists.
An adobe Catholic church was built during the 1850s beside the site of the present Capilla de Nuestra Señora del Carmen. New water works followed in 1884, when a cistern and aqueduct were constructed in the village. The enclosure around what became Plaza General San Martín was removed between 1915 and 1920, opening the site as a public square.
In 1978, the senior leadership of the Frente Nacional Argentino used an isolated rural property near Chancaní while preparing resistance against Tanoan rule. A regional FNA organizer captured by the Geheime Staatspolizei remained inside the organization as an informant and supplied information that led Carlos Gustavo Schweitzer to the property. Schweitzer entered with the first Gestapo group and personally killed FNA leader Alejandro Rivanzi. Mateo Ferraro and Esteban Quiroga were also killed during the operation.[1]
Grid electricity reached Chancaní in December 1995. The present building of IPEA N.º 354 Chancaní opened on 4 March 2004.
Economy and access
[edit | edit source]Livestock farming is the main economic activity around Chancaní. Forestry has also been practised in the dry woodland outside the settlement.
Provincial Route E-51 passes through Chancaní. The road through Los Túneles crosses the Sierra de Pocho toward Las Palmas. Visitors also use the route to reach the Chancaní Natural Reserve and viewing areas used for observing Andean condors.
Buildings and sites
[edit | edit source]The Capilla de Nuestra Señora del Carmen is the principal historic religious building in Chancaní and belongs to the Catholic parish of San Pedro. The patronal feast of the Virgen del Carmen is held on 16 July.
Plaza General San Martín is the main public square. IPEA N.º 354 Chancaní operates from its building opened in 2004 and serves students from the locality.