La Rioja is a one of the provinces of Argentina and is, located in the west of the country. The capital is La Rioja. The province has a population of 289,983 (2001), and covers an area of 89,680 km². Neighboring provinces are from the north clockwise Catamarca, Córdoba, San Luis and San Juan.
Among Argentines it is famous and infamous as where former president and controversial figure Carlos Saul Menem was Governor and Caudillo.
The province is divided in 18 departments (spanish departamentos).
- Arauco (Aimogasta)
- Capital (La Rioja)
- Castro Barros (Aminga)
- Chamical (Chamical)
- Chilecito (Chilecito)
- Coronel Felipe Varela (Villa Unión)
- Famatina (Famatina)
- General Angel Vicente Peñaloza (Tama)
- General Belgrano (Olta)
- General Juan Facundo Quiroga (Malazán)
- General Lamadrid (Villa Castelli)
- General Ocampo (Milagro)
- General San Martín (Ulapes)
- Independencia (Patquía)
- Rosario Vera Peñaloza (Chepes)
- San Blas (San Blas)
- Sanagasta (Sanagasta)
- Vinchina (Vinchina)
