Ullúm Department Explained

Ullum
Settlement Type:Department
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Argentina
Established Title:Established
Established Date:17 December 1869
Seat Type:Seat
Seat:Villa Ibañez
Leader Title:Mayor
Unit Pref:Metric
Area Total Km2:4397
Population Total:4498
Population Density Km2:auto
Population Demonym:ullunero/a
Postal Code Type:Postal Code
Postal Code:5400
Postal2 Code Type:IFAM
Postal2 Code:SJU01
Area Code Type:Area Code
Area Code:0264
Blank Name Sec1:Patron saint
Blank Info Sec1:Virgen del Carmen

Ullum is a department of the Argentinean province of San Juan. It is located in the center of the province and its landscape is dominated by mountains and low vegetation. Its seat is Villa Ibáñez. It is also characterized by the production of grapes and fruit. The San Juan River is dammed by the Ullum Dam.

Origin of name

The name of this department is of Indian origin, translated as head of the penis. This may refer to the place where rituals were held for aspiring young Aboriginal warriors or to the fertility of the land in the area, alluding directly to male fertility.[1]

Geography

The department is located in the center west of the San Juan Province, northwest of the City of San Juan. It has a surface area of 4,391 square kilometers. It is bordered by:

Ullum is entirely located on the center and foothills of the San Juan Cordillera. Between the mountains are prominent hills: the Lomadas de Las Tapias, Talacasto, Dehesa and Villicum to the east and the Sierra del Tigre and Sierra de la Invernada to the west. In the south of the department the San Juan River is dammed by the Ullum Dam.

The climate is arid with little precipitation. Temperature ranges from 35C in summer (with highs up to 40C) to 16C during the dry winters, with lows of -8C. The climate is influenced by the Ullum dam lake and by occasional snowfall in the Talacasto area.

The flora is characterized by xerophytes. The fauna includes species such as hares,puma, viscachas, Elegant Crested Tinamous, guanacos, various forest birds and silversides.

Notes and References

  1. Book: San Juan, Nostra Tierra . Ediciones Argentina . Acosta, Graciela Liliana . 2000 . San Juan . Spanish.