Cipolletti is a city situated in the northern part of the Patagonian province of Río Negro, Argentina. It lies on the north-eastern shore of the Neuquén River, positioned just before this waterway joins the Limay River to form the Negro River. The settlement is located a short distance upstream from the city of General Roca and faces the provincial capital of Neuquén across the river, which is connected to Cipolletti by road and railway bridges.

The city was originally founded as a fort named Confluencia by General Lorenzo Vintter in 1881. Its name was later changed to honor César Cipolletti, who was one of the forerunners in studying the irrigation system of the Negro River. This historical development established the area as the heart of the apple and pear cultivation zone known as the Alto Valle, shaping its agricultural identity over time.

Geographically, the city is defined by its riverfront location and its relationship with neighboring settlements. Across the river lies Neuquén, while the neighborhood of Las Perlas sits south of that city, approximately 14 km west from its center, possessing the character of an independent town. The urban layout is closely tied to the irrigation systems pioneered by César Cipolletti, which support the region's significant fruit production industries.

The area serves as a central hub for fruit cultivation, particularly apples and pears, within the Alto Valle region. This agricultural focus defines much of the local character and economic activity. The proximity to both Neuquén and General Roca creates a interconnected urban environment, with the broader agglomeration including these adjoining cities forming a significant population center in the Patagonian region.

Cipolletti had a population of 105,647 inhabitants according to the 2022 census conducted by INDEC. It ranks as the third-most populated settlement in Río Negro province, following San Carlos de Bariloche and General Roca. Together with Neuquén and Plottier, it forms the Greater Neuquén agglomeration, which had a combined population of 500,336 people in 2022. The city experiences a borderline semi-arid climate with hot, dry summers and cool winters.