File:ParqueLuro032.JPGStables at the former Roca-Luro Estate, now the Luro Prairie Preserve.
In 1604 Hernando Arias de Saavedra was the first European explorer to reach the area; it was later explored by Jerónimo Luis de Cabrera in 1662. But it was not until the 18th century that Spanish colonists established permanent settlements here.
Resistance of the local indigenous people prevented much expansion until the government of Juan Manuel de Rosas. It did not cease until Julio Roca's conquest of the desert in the 19th century. The territory was divided between the officers, and they erected the first Argentine settlements.
The Territorio Nacional de La Pampa Central was erected in 1884, containing the Río Negro Province and parts of other surrounding provinces. It had around 25,000 inhabitants. By 1915 there were 110,000 residents, a reflection of movement to that area. In 1945 the territory was divided and La Pampa became a province.
In 1952 its constitution was written and the province was renamed after Eva Peron. In 1955 after the government changed and the Peróns went into exile, both La Pampa and Chaco, which had been named for Juan Perón, were reverted to their original names.
The general aspect of the central-eastern part of the province is that of a plain gently tilted to the east that is dissected by valleys.<ref name=Tripaldietal2018/> The surface of the plain has a calcretecrust. The valleys of La Pampa, known as the transverse valleys (Template:Langx) are NE-SW oriented, with breadths of various kilometers and lengths of tens of kilometers. Some of the valleys host very large fossilinland dunes.<ref name=Tripaldietal2018>Template:Cite journal</ref> Formerly functioning as windfunnels for sand<ref name=Tripaldietal2018/> at present these valleys are an ecotone region between the Dry and Humid Pampas.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Being located in the Pampas, the province has a cool temperate climate.<ref name=IRN>Template:Cite web</ref> In general, the province is dominated by two different types of climates: a temperate one in the east and a semi-arid one in the west.<ref name=clima>Template:Cite web</ref> Precipitation generally decreases from east to west and from north to south.<ref name=IRN/><ref name=clima/> Being characterized by large thermal amplitudes, the climate of the province has continental characteristics, particularly in the west where thermal amplitudes are much larger.<ref name=IRN/><ref name=clima/> The general atmospheric circulation is one of the most important factors that influence the climate on a regional scale.<ref name=INTAclimate1>Template:Cite web</ref> During summer, the South Atlantic High is displaced to the southeast, which brings hot and humid air masses from the north and northeast.<ref name=INTAclimate1/> The South Pacific High in summer is responsible for bringing cooler air masses from the southwest which when these two contrasting air masses meet lead to precipitation occurring.<ref name=INTAclimate1/> In contrast, winters are dry due to the northward displacement of the South Atlantic high and the topographic barrier of the Andes north of 40oS which prevents frontal systems that bring precipitation from reaching the province.<ref name=INTAclimate1/> Any winds from the southwest during winter bring in cold and dry weather since most of the precipitation and humidity are released in the Andes.<ref name=INTAclimate1/> As such, most of the precipitation occurs during summer.<ref name=IRN/>
Temperature
Mean annual temperatures in the province range between Template:Convert although the thermal amplitude (difference between temperatures in the warmest and coldest months) is large.<ref name=IRN/><ref name=INTAclimate1/> In summer, mean temperatures in the warmest month (January) range from Template:Convert in the north and northeastern parts to Template:Convert in the west and southwestern parts of the province.<ref name=INTAclimate1/> Temperatures tend to be cooler in the west owing to the higher altitudes.<ref name=INTAclimate1/> In winter, mean temperatures in the coldest month (July) range from Template:Convert in the north to Template:Convert in the west and southwest.<ref name=INTAclimate1/> The northern parts are the warmest parts of the province; absolute maximum temperatures can reach up to Template:Convert.<ref name=INTAclimate1/> The lowest temperatures ever recorded range from Template:Convert in the northeast to Template:Convert in the southwest.<ref name=INTAclimate1/>
Precipitation
One characteristic of the precipitation in the province is that most of the precipitation occurs from October to March with little precipitation during winter.<ref name=INTAclimate1/> Mean annual precipitation ranges from a low of Template:Convert in the southwest to Template:Convert in the northeast.<ref name=IRN/> Precipitation generally decreases from northeast to southwest.<ref name=IRN/> Most of the precipitation is caused by frontal systems.<ref name=INTAclimate1/> Precipitation is highly variable from year to year.<ref name=INTAclimate1/>
Economy
La Pampa, long Argentina's most economically agricultural province, produced an estimated US$3.144 billion in output in 2006, or, US$10,504 per capita (almost 20% above the national average).<ref name=pbg>Template:Cite web</ref> Now, the GDP per capita of the province is of US$14.000.
Agriculture contributes a fourth to La Pampa's economy, the most important activity being cattle ranching, with 3,632,684 (2002) head, which takes place all over the province. Other livestock include 202,428 sheep, 140,498 goats and 64,118 pigs.
The Northeast, on the more fertile lands, has also an important activity with wheat (10% of the national production), sunflower (13% of NP), maize, alfalfa, barley, and other cereals.
There's also a dairy industry of 300 centres of extraction and 25 cheese factories, honey production, and salt extraction from salt basins.
La Pampa is home to hundreds of oil and gas wells, as well as deposits of sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, and copper.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Tourism is an underdeveloped activity, however. Visitors start at Santa Rosa and reach Lihué Calel National Park, Parque Luro Provincial Reserve or visit one of the many estancias, some of which are dedicated to agritourism.
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Government
The provincial government is divided into the usual three branches: the executive, headed by a popularly elected governor, who appoints the cabinet; the legislative; and the judiciary, headed by the Supreme Court.
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The Constitution of La Pampa Province forms the formal law of the province.
