Zonda Department

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Zonda Departamento Zonda
Department
View of Zonda Valley, the most populous area of the department, located in its north-eastern corner.
location of Departamento Zonda in San Juan Province
Coordinates: 31°33′S 68°46′W / 31.550°S 68.767°W / -31.550; -68.767
Country	Argentina
Province	San Juan
Established	1935
Seat	Villa Basilio Nievas
Area [1]
• Total	2,360 km2 (910 sq mi)
Population  (2010 census [INDEC])
• Total	4,863
• Density	2.1/km2 (5.3/sq mi)
Demonym	zondino/zondina
Time zone	UTC-03:00
Postal codes in Argentina	5400
Area code	0264
Patron saint	Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Zonda Department (Spanish: Departamento Zonda) is an administrative department of San Juan Province in Argentina. Zonda is located in the south of the province, bordered by Ullum Department to the north, Sarmiento Department to the south, Calingasta Department to the east, and Pocito Department and Rivadavia Department to the west.

As of the 2010 INDEC census, Zonda has a population of 4,863, with a density of 2.6 people per square kilometer. It is one of the most sparsely populated regions in the province. The largest settlement within Zonda is concentrated towards the northeast of the department in the village of Villa Basilio Nievas, which is also known simply as "Zonda". Much of the west of the department has a mountainous, rugged terrain that is sparsely populated.

The name of the department comes from indigenous^[which?] roots, meaning "high sky". Its name refers to the warm wind characteristic of the province. Zonda has a hilly landscape with sparse vegetation and its economy centers around wine and fruit cultivation, as well as tourism.