Rawson este capitala provinciei Chubut, in Patagonia cu o populatie de circa 26,000 de locuitori is the head town of the Rawson Department, which has 122,000 inhabitants (figures as per the 2001 census [INDEC]). Even though it is the provincial capital, its population is smaller than that of other cities in Chubut: Comodoro Rivadavia, Trelew, Puerto Madryn and Esquel.

Rawson became the provincial capital in 1957, when Chubut was constituted as a province. There are two small museums in Rawson. The City Museum has historical objects and old photographs. The Don Bosco Museum has a collection of local history and wildlife, including artefacts from the Welsh community. The General San Martín Zoo and Park covers 6 hectares of the shore of the Chubut River.