General Roca, Río Negro

Through the centre of the city drives the wide rail train lane that joins Zapala with Bahía Blanca and Buenos Aires.

Together with Villa Regina, Allen, Cinco Saltos, Cipolletti, Neuquén and many other smaller towns, they constitute the lineal urbanization of the Alto Valle of the Negro River.

Several buildings dating back to the time before the flooding and subsequent move of the town can be still visited: In the afternoon of 20 June 2016, a series of loud blasts could be heard in General Roca, causing buildings to shake and windows to rattle, but police, firefighters and emergency workers could not find any evidence of an explosion or natural calamity.

The astronomical observatory in nearby Neuquén later revealed that the cause had been a meteor that burst in the atmosphere over the city, at an estimated speed of 2,400 kilometres per hour (1,500 mph).

Rainfall is sparse year round, resulting in a relative arid influence of the climate, being located in the Andean rain shadow.

A panoramic picture of General Roca at night where fireworks can be seen.
A panoramic picture of General Roca at night where fireworks can be seen.