Around 45 years ago, Santa Victoria (marked with the red pin on the map) was a tiny village in the province of Salta on the edge of the Argentinian Andes, sitting alonside the River Santa Victoria, with a handful of houses and little else. Even 20-30 years ago, though more people lived there, it hadn’t changed too much. Today, it’s a rapidly expanding, much-in-demand village with its own hospital, several corner shops, master baker (and conditorei), many thriving businesses (including at least one providing IT training), a new school and college.

In recent decades, families who once lived and worked in the mountains have settled here. That said, nowadays, many young people from the village head for Salta, or Buenos Aires, for example, to find work, many of whom say they will move back once work allows - some even waiting for retirement to make their final return. Predominately inhabited by indigenous people rather those of European origin, such as common in the rest of Argentina, the following photos give a feel for this growing town and its environs.