Capital of the homonymous province, Neuquen is situated at the confluence of two rivers: Limay and Neuquen. It is the most thriving city in the Patagonia. Its first inhabitants were mapuches, and then colonists came, being followed later by people of all latitudes. It is a centre devoted to services and also concentrates commercial and cultural activities. Its industries process regional raw materials, some in the modern Industrial Area, which counts with industrial, waste processing plants, winemakers, brandy making, food industries and building material manufacturing. It is the site of the prestigious National University of Comahue and it has an international airport. It is a peaceful city, with wonderful trees and fruit orchards in its outskirts. It has some beach areas along the Limay River, where fishing and water sports take place. Together with Cippoletti they make up the main metropolitan area of the Patagonia, separated by the Neuquen river but united by a railway and a regular bridge. The growth of the population has been rapid, especially in Neuquen, due to the expansion of agro industrial activities in the Alto Valle, industrial locations, the discovery of important oil and natural gas sites and the construction of public works, such as El Chocon-Cerros Colorados, Piedra del Aguila, Alicura and Arroyito, all of them hydroelectric complexes. All this makes Neuquen a very special place.