Puerto Madryn city was founded in 1865 when the first white inhabitants – the Welsh – arrived. The first effective doubling took place with the construction of the railway, which started in June 1889, for settlers to carry their agricultural production from the valley to the port. Another moment that fostered its progress was the setting up of ALUAR aluminium plant, in 1971, when the population was smaller than 6,500 inhabitants. Since then, there was and outstanding increase compared to the rest of Argentinian cities. According to the 2001 census, 57,571 people, aged about 25, live in Puerto Madryn, though an important increase during the last years is estimated. At the same time, educational institutions have expanded, covering from kindergarten to tertiary and university levels – Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Universidad Tecnológica Nacional – offering specific courses related to the context such as Licentiate in Marine Biology and Arid Zones and the course of Fishing Engineering, among others. In the same way, through “Centro Nacional Patagónico CENPAT – CONICET”, scientific research as well as doctorate and post-doctorate works are done. Students, scholarship researchers and guests from all over the world take part of them.
Puerto Madryn holds unquestionable tourist value and strategic location, being the main service centre of the Patagonian coast and the gateway to Vales Peninsula, that was declared Natural Heritage of Humanity by the UNESCO in 1999.
Its main income is provided by fishing activity, aluminium production and tourism. The latter started during the 60s when the Bahía Nueva Submarine Tourism Promoting Committee was formed, with the aim to project and build artificial reefs within San José and Nuevo Gulfs, visited at present by tourists to perform the traditional submarine baptism in this prominent National Diving Capital.
Whale and Summer Season
Along the 5 km seaside on which the city extends, there are 7 beaches, most of which act as restaurants and bars all year long, and in summertime places where many water sports are practised.
In winter, when tourists get back from excursions, they usually go biking in the city or waking along the coast or downtown, ideal activities for this peaceful and secure place.
During the whale season (from June to December) whales can be frequently seen from the coast and their typical sounds can be heard at night.