Catamarca Province Plata was created in 1776, Catamarca obtained the title of "Subintendencia" under the Salta intendency. In 1821, the province claimed its autonomy, and Nicolás Avellaneda y Tula (grandfather of Nicolás Avellaneda) was elected as the first governor of the province. The name is believed to come either from Quechua "cata" 'slope' and "marca" 'fortress', or from Aymara "catán" 'small' and "marca" 'town'. Catamarca remained isolated from the rest of Argentina by its mountains until 1888, when the rapidly expanding railways first appeared in the province. Attracting immigrants with its spacious, fertile valleys and dry, agreeable weather, Catamarca was soon favored
Bob Mendoza High School, as well as officiated over varsity basketball. All told, Mendoza coached football and baseball at Morse from 1970-2000. As the football team's defensive coordinator, he won five section banners. He also coached baseball at Mission Bay High. In 1982, he coached Sam Horn, the No. 1 baseball draft in the country at the time. The same year, Mark McLemore, who Mendoza also coached, was drafted by the California Angels in the 9th round amateur draft. In 1990, Morse Tigers were ranked No. 4 in the country by USA Today. Mendoza and three teammates were featured in the "San