Esquel

Esquel is a city in southern Patagonia, Argentina, located in Chubut Province. It is the administrative seat of the Esquel Department and functions as a regional center for commerce, services, and tourism. The city sits in the Andean foothills at about 1,000 meters above sea level, near the headwaters of rivers that flow toward the Atlantic and Pacific basins. Its surroundings include Los Alerces National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for ancient lenga forests, glacial lakes, and dramatic mountainous scenery.

Economy and infrastructure: Esquel has a diversified economy based on tourism, forestry, and livestock farming, particularly sheep. The town serves as a gateway for visitors to Los Alerces and other nearby natural areas. Transport options include Esquel Airport with flights to Buenos Aires and other destinations; the historic Viejo Expreso Patagónico, a narrow-gauge tourist railway that runs between Esquel and El Maitén; and road connections to the Chilean border.

Tourism and culture: In winter, Esquel is a base for skiing and winter sports; in summer, it offers trekking, fishing, and lake excursions. Local museums and cultural centers reflect Patagonian history, indigenous heritage, and regional development. The Old Patagonian Express and related heritage tourism projects helped popularize the area beyond traditional ranching and forestry.

History: The city developed in the 20th century amid railway expansion and agricultural settlement and has grown into a regional urban center with educational institutions and services.