The New International Encyclopædia/Tucumán (province)

TUCUMÁN, tōō′kōō-män′. The smallest and most densely populated province of Argentina, bounded by the Province of Salta on the north, Santiago del Estero on the east, and Catamarca on the south and west (Map: Argentina, D 9). Area, 8926 square miles. The eastern portion is rolling, but the western portion becomes quite mountainous. The mountains, offshoots of the Andes, afford extensive forests in the valleys and some mines of gold, silver, and copper, but these are not extensively worked. Sugar and rum are the chief products, but cereals, rice, tobacco, and fruits are raised. The soil generally is fertile, but in some portions use must be made of irrigation. The population, which is largely mestizo, in 1895 numbered 215,742. Tucumán (q.v.) is the capital. Tucumán was originally a portion of the dominions of the Incas. After the conquest the Gobernación of Tucumán included many of the surrounding provinces and was first subject to the Audiencia of Chareas, and after 1776 to the Viceroyalty of La Plata.