The major settlement and capital of the Patagonian province of Santa Cruz, Argentina, is Río Gallegos. It is situated in the Güer Aike department and has a population of around 98,000 as of the 2010 census [INDEC], up 24% from the 79,000 in the 2001 census [INDEC]. Named for the Gallegos River, the city is located on its estuary 2,636 km (1,638 mi) south of Buenos Aires, the federal capital of Argentina.