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Home > Travel South America > South America Destinations > Alta Gracia
Alta Gracia
South America is thefourth largest continent of the Western Hemisphere. It is divided politically into 12 independent countries namely Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela and the overseas department of French Guiana. The continent extends to 7,640 kilometers from Punta Gallinas, Colombia, in the north to Cape Horn, Chile, in the south. At its broadest point, near where it is crossed by the equator, the continent extends to 5,300 kilometers from east to west. South America is connected to North America by the Isthmus of Panama. It is washed on the north by the Caribbean Sea, on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean.
Alta Gracia is a city located in the north-centre of the province of Cordoba, Argentina. Its name means high grace. It is built upon the Sierras Chicas, in a region that the Comechingon indians used to call Paravachasca. It has about 43,000 inhabitants.
In the 17th century Alta Gracia was as a large agricultural ranch operated by Jesuits. Along with other ranches, including Colonia Caroya, Jesus Maria, Santa Catalina, La Candelaria San Ignacio de los Ejercicios, Alta Gracia was founded to economically support the Collegium Maximum or Colegio Maximo, one of Argentina's first universities today are Universidad Nacional de Cordoba, and other educational institutes that are now part of the Manzana Jesuítica, an important center in Cordoba City. The Jesuit Block and Estancias of Cordoba were named World Heritage site in 2000.
Alta Gracia has a rich historical heritage. Some of the most important places are the museum of Santiago de Liniers, El Tajamar, a man-made lake, El Obraje, a workshop were the Jesuits taught many indians the different crafts, the Sierras Hotel, which John F. Kennedy has visited and a house where revolutionary Che Guevara used to live.
It can also be considered as the preeminent, historical and potential tourism destination that enjoys a very positive reputation with worldwide travelers to become one of the most visited places.
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