Abstract

This work is aimed at offering a reading of the occupation of the nor-Patagonia region between the years 1980 and 2002. To advance a multidimensional and non-reductionist analysis of the process we consider both, historical processes as the social structure in place at both sides of the Andes Mountain Range; acknowledging that the temporal echoes and the social and political conjunctures define-in important ways-the possibilities and restriction for the mobility of individuals. The results show that a strong migration of Chileans to Argentina took place even in the most algid moments of the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet; period in which labor migration and foremost that linked with political repression acquire relevance. During the 90's population increase concentrated in the Argentina's departments and Chile's municipalities which concentrate tourist resources. In many cases migration is not just for work reasons but also composed to an important extent of amenity and lifestyle migrants. In the last section, we consider the existing links between capitalism in crisis, tourist activity, and suggest some futures lines of research.