This area is called generally South, although it is in the geographical center of the province, and it embraces San Rafael 's departments and General Alyear.

Their main town is San Rafael 's city and its height average on the level of the sea it reaches the 600 meters .

The irrigation comes from the rivers Atuel and Diamond and the reservoir of The Nihuil provides the control and distribution of the waters,

From the point of view agrarian vitícola, it is an extremely fertile, but subjected area to hail storms that periodically cause big damages as much in the vineyards as in the areas of fruit-bearing and olive groves.

Cellars like Bianchi, Balbi, Suter, Goyenechea, Jean Rivier, Lavaque, Rock, etc., they elaborate fine wines that give prestige to the one that up to now is the DOC (Controlled Denomination of Origin) more evolved of the country. The grapes inks prevail in the area, mainly the Cabernet Sauvignon, the Bonarda and the Syrah.

The area has strong tourist attractiveness, as the canyon of the Atuel, the Big Valley and The Reyunos.

In the area itis also the center of more imposing ski of the Argentina , in the Valley of the Firewoods, and the neighboring Department of Malargüe is a strong producing of the petroleum.