Colonial and modern, safe and welcoming, the City of Salta attracts thousands of visitors every year, who when stepping on its soil, wonder at the sight of an urban profile outlined by one story houses and narrow streets and sidewalks, orderly singled out in the canvas suggested by the brownish green of the surrounding mountains.

Salta stands at 1187 metres above sea level, at the foot of the San Bernardo Mountain, and its current population is of about 500000 inhabitants.

The action core of the capital city is the Plaza 9 de Julio, a wooded park around which stand some of the most interesting buildings in town, besides the main hotels and numerous sweet and coffee shops.

The San Bernardo Mountain, with the image of The Redeemer and The Cross, dominates the panorama's ampleness, and constitutes a landmark on the Salta sierras, around which a monument to Güemes, one of the mythical heroes of Argentinean's independence, has been built.

Here, defying time and the modernization of the capital city, but replete of history, the houses of Martín Miguel de Güemes, Arias Rengel, Leguizamón, Hernández, Uriburu and the Historic Town Council or Casona de los Castañares (House of the Chestnuts), are still kept.

And as a part of history reaching present times, palpable through the buildings, stand the churches, symbols of a b religious presence that was consolidated throughout the years. But above the accumulation of riches, locals and visitors alike with no distinction at all, cannot help but be touched by the popular faith phenomena aroused by the Señor y la Virgen del Milagro (Lord and Virgin of the Miracle), the spiritual patrons of this province.

Travellers must know that Salta has a pronounced tradition for religious celebrations, mainly during the month of September. The commemoration of the Semana de Salta (Week of Salta), going from the 13th to the 20th of July, is a colourful and exceptionally glittering festivity as well.

During the 20th century Salta speeded its development and doubled its population, especially between the years 1914 - 1947 and 1947 - 1960. Around the decade of the thirties, the barrios or urban extensions begun to emerge and the occupation of the San Bernardo Mountain skirts for residential purposes started, along with the expansion of the neo-colonial architectonic style.

Since 1960, the tendency to move to the suburbs was explosive, and included the construction of the new Civic Centre at the Lomas de Madeiros by the end of the eighties.

Thereby, the elements of modernization added to the old city have imposed another rhythm on it. There is taking place a display of intense townspeople's activity that stimulates and satisfies tourism.

There are plenty of folklore restaurants where traditional music is performed and danced, and where regional dishes and wines can be tasted. There are also many establishments selling craftsmanship, where the silver, pottery and fabric works stand out.

The city has an airport with daily flights scheduled to and from Buenos Aires, San Salvador de Jujuy, Bolivia and Tucumán. It has a highway system connecting it with almost every major city in the country as well.

Its warmth and peacefulness, and the generosity of its mild weather, allow the most varied activities: the historic strolling through its big old houses, temples and museums, the tasting of typical delicacies, the enjoying of its surroundings, where nature already starts to dazzle, or the charming nightlife of its prestigious folk restaurants and modern discotheques.