Soon after arriving at Puerto Madryn, the Welsh immigrants moved south to the Río Chubut in search of fresh water. Tre-Rawson, Rawson’s Village (named for Argentine Interior Minister Guillermo Rawson who helped these Celtic peoples to come) was the first settlement in the river valley. Founded on September 15, 1865, it was declared capital of Chubut Territory in 1885, and capital of the Province of the same name in 1957.

The population expanded rapidly in the first half of the 20th century, due in part to the railroad that connected Rawson and Playa Unión with Trelew, on the Puerto Madryn – Las Plumas line (1923-1961). Rawson continues to be a rapidly growing urban center. Playa Unión and Puerto Rawson are within its metropolitan region.

Rawson’s main square is named Plaza Guillermo Rawson. In the center is a large, modern fountain. On one corner of the park is the city tourism office. Buses to Playa Unión pass by here. Five blocks north of Plaza Rawson is the Welsh church Capilla Berwyn (Maíz and Vuelta de Obligado).

The town has several attractions where to while away a day, including the Museo de la Ciudad (Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-1 p.m., 4-8 p.m., Saturday 9 .m.-noon, 4-8 p.m. San Martín 830. Entry: free) and the Museo Policial (Police Museum) (Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-4 p.m., weekends 8 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Avenida Antártida Afgentina s/n and Costa, Tel.: 48-5701. Entry: free).

On the banks of Río Chubut is the Parque Zoológico, refuge to Patagonian species, plus a few older non-native animals in their sunset years (Wednesday-Sunday 1-7 p.m. Tel.: 48-4681. Entry: adults $1.20, children 5-12 years old $0.60, under 5 free. Getting there: take Rawson-Trelew bus via Ruta 25, $0.80, to the turn-off and walk two km / 1.2 mi from there).

Artesanía

Artesanía Patagonia (Sarmiento and 25 de Mayo)

Tours

F-2 (San Martín 198, Tel.: 48-3221, E-mail: f2turismo@hotmail.com)

Gallat’s Turismo (Moreno 174, Tel.: 48-1934, E-mail: gallats@infovia.com.ar)

Hotels

Camping is available in Playa Unión.

Hospedaje San Pedro (Belgrano 744, Tel.: 48-1721) – common bath: 1 person $16, 2 persons $26; private bath. 1 person $26, 2 persons $43; includes breakfast

Hotel Provincial (Mitre 550, Tel.: 48-1300) – 1 person $34, 2 persons $46, includes breakfast

Restaurants

Several large supermarkets operate in Rawson, including La Super Feria (San Martín and Conesa) and La Anónima (Costa 172).

Parrilla La Capital (Moreno s/n, Tel.: 1559-3194)

Babylon Pizza Bar (Piedra Buena and Cagliero, Tel.: 48-1976)

Don Jamón (Costa and Belgrano)

(Altitude: 3 m / 10 ft, Population: 22,493, Phone Code: 02965)