Areguá

Areguá (Spanish pronunciation: [aɾeˈɣwa]) is one of the main cities of Central Department in Paraguay, located 28 kilometres (17 mi) from the capital, Asunción. The city lies between Ypacaraí Lake to the east and hills to the west. Areguá is known for its colonial architecture and historic cobblestone streets. Areguá is also known as the "City of Strawberries" due to its strawberry farms.

Areguá
City
Areguá landscape
Flag
Coat of arms
Areguá
Coordinates: 25°17′43″S 57°24′53″W
Country Paraguay
DepartmentCentral
Founded1538
Government
 • Intendente MunicipalLuis A. Meredes Villalba Jara
Area
 • Total147,67 km2 (5,702 sq mi)
Elevation
70 m (230 ft)
Population
 (2016)
 • Total70,490
 • Density4.8/km2 (12/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-04 (AST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-03 (ADT)
Postal code
2680
Area code(s)(595) (291)
ClimateCfa

Toponymy
Koi Hill
Playa Areguá

Areguá takes its name from its indigenous inhabitants, the Mbyá Guaraní, who inhabited the area before Spanish colonization. The local group were the Areguá ("those from above") referring to the area's high altitude.

History

Areguá was founded by Domingo Martínez de Irala in 1538.[1] Early settlers, numbering about 200, lived close to the church. They were Mercedarians who arrived with the Spanish to raise cattle. African slaves were put to work on these farms.[2]

By the end of the 19th century, Areguá had become a tourist destination to which many writers, artists and intellectuals from nearby areas retreated in the summer.

Climate

Areguá's climate is temperate. Maximum summer temperatures reach 40 °C. Average winter temperatures are 0 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1377 mm distributed throughout the year.

Demography

Areguá's population is about 67,847. Of these residents, 33,870 are female and 33,977 are male.[3]

Economy

Areguá's economy is based on strawberry farming. The town is also known for its pottery, which is an emergent industry in the region.

Places of interest

Areguá has an historic area centred on Avenida del Lago (Lake Avenue) which runs from a hilltop church to the Ypacaraí Lake. In 1997, the Paraguayan parliament declared it a "National Heritage Area".

"Isla Valle", the local ecological organization, regulates fishing in the lake.[4]

Another attraction is the Centro Artesanal de la Cuenca. At the Center, craftsmen from the region display locally made pottery and crafts. Aregua also has art galleries, including Guggiari Arte, Luis Cogliolo Galería de Arte, Paseo La Candelaria, Areguá pesebres, El Cántaro, and Museo las Margaritas.

The Koi and Chorori hills are a geologic attraction. Koi Hill is known for its formations of hexagonal sandstone.[5] The formations are a protected heritage site and the hill was declared a "Natural Monument" in 1993.

Famous people

The Paraguayan writer Gabriel Casaccia was born in Areguá.

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References
  1. Macgregor J. The Progress of America from the Discovery by Columbus to the Year 1846 Whittaker & Company, 1847 p. 1028
  2. Walker S. S. African Roots/American Cultures: Africa in the Creation of the Americas Rowman & Littlefield, 2001 p. 320 ISBN 0742501655
  3. Paraguay population Country Economy website. 2008.
  4. "Islavalle". Archived from the original on 2017-09-11. Retrieved 2017-07-20.
  5. Eckel E. B. and Milton C. Geological and Mineral Resources of Paraguay U.S. Government Printing Office, 1959 p. 34

See also
  • Geografía del Paraguay - Editorial Hispana Paraguay S.R.L.- 1a. Edición 1999 - Asunción Paraguay
  • Geografía Ilustrada del Paraguay - ISBN 99925-68-04-6 - Distribuidora Arami S.R.L.
  • La Magia de nuestra tierra. Fundación en Alianza. Asunción. 2007.
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