The rivers, originating in the thaw of the Andes summits, are channelled through irrigation canals and dams.
Climate is dry, due to the mountains that block the humidity coming from the Pacific Ocean.
Political Organization and Demographic Structure T his province, the capital of which is Mendoza, is divided into 18 departments, which have separate political and administrative powers. This province is the main producer of fresh fruits, such as apples, pears, cherries, and peaches, with a total of 405,850 tons, in 1994. Forestry T he most important implanted arboreal species in the province are poplars, eucalyptus, pine trees, and willows. The above mentioned species cover an area of 19,000 hectares and, in addition to being used for lumbering, they function as natural curtains to protect the fruit trees plantations. There are also unexploited deposits of gold, silver, copper, and lead.