Calingasta is a department of the province of San Juan. It is the southwestern corner of the province, which is predominantly a landsc…Calingasta is a department of the province of San Juan. It is the southwestern corner of the province, which is predominantly a landscape of mountains and rivers. Several meanings that have been given to an indigenous root of this word. People of the inhabitants of Calían. Skirt or safe or major hills. Transforming Catalve ", as the area was called Calingasta prior to the arrival of the Spaniards.