THE HOT SPRINGS AS TANGIBLE ASSETS AND PRACTICAL SUPPORT. CITY NEW FEDERACIÓN (ARGENTINA) AND MUNICIPALITY OF SANTO AMARO DA IMPERATRIZ (BRAZIL)

Abstract

This paper deals with the hot springs exploited in two different national contexts: in the Argentinian city of Nueva Federación and the Santa Catarina municipality of Santo Amaro da Imperatriz, in dialogue with an extensive literature on this subject, and highlighting its many uses, focusing on health, leisure and religious activities. In addition, these waters are taken as natural and cultural heritage as a source of identification and symbolic reference, and as the center of disputes "social fields of conflict" regarding power use and ownership. It also stands beyond the similarity in the way that the hot springs are exploited and designed in the aforementioned contexts. Those specificities characterize both resorts. Finally, the importance of hydrotherapy for both the province of Entre Rios to the state of Santa Catarina is highlighted.