El Calafate Population 2026
El Calafate has a population of 22,844, making it the #194 biggest city in 🇦🇷 Argentina, located in Santa Cruz. It is about 127× smaller than Buenos Aires, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
22,844
Rank in Argentina
#194
Coordinates
50.34°S, 72.28°W
~205 m elevation · America/Argentina/Rio_Gallegos
Distance to capital (Buenos Aires)
2,080 km
1,292 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Santa Cruz
| City | Population | Rank in Argentina |
|---|---|---|
| Río Gallegos | 95,796 | #45 |
| Caleta Olivia | 56,310 | #83 |
| Pico Truncado | 25,194 | #172 |
| Las Heras | 24,728 | #180 |
| Puerto Deseado | 16,747 | #234 |
Cities near El Calafate
- Río Gallegos95,796 people · ~255 km away
- Las Heras24,728 people · ~489 km away
- Pico Truncado25,194 people · ~506 km away
- Río Grande52,681 people · ~494 km away
- Puerto Deseado16,747 people · ~547 km away
- Caleta Olivia56,310 people · ~557 km away
FAQ
What is the population of El Calafate?
El Calafate has a population of 22,844 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #194 biggest city in Argentina.
What region is El Calafate in?
El Calafate is located in Santa Cruz, Argentina.
Is El Calafate the capital of Argentina?
No, the capital of Argentina is Buenos Aires, about 2,080 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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