El Calafate is located in the South of Lake Argentino, in the Southwestern part of the province of Santa Cruz. According to the last census,the population of El Calafate is around 20000.

The name of the town is due to a native bush in South Patagonia. In spring, it produces yellow flowers while in summer a purple berry. It is said that whoever tries this berry will come back to Patagonia.

The weather is dry. The rainfall is around 300mm. per year. The maximum average temperature in summer is 18ºC and the minimum in winter is -2ºC.

In summer the longest day starts at 5:50 AM and the sunset is at 11:00 PM. In winter, the shortest day lasts only 8 hours.

Since El Calafate is the closest point to Los Glaciares National Park, it is a major center of tourism.