Itapúa Department
Encyclopedia
Itapúa is a department
in the southern region of Paraguay
. The capital is the city of Encarnación. It is divided into 30 districts, making it the department with the most districts in the country.
, with the city of Encarnación
as the capital. It had a high economic growth in the first 30 years by the coming of immigrants and the Carlos Antonio Lopez Railway
, the growth was accompanied with several ups and downs.
Then came an era of decline until the 50's when the Carnaval Encarnaceno becomes known and attract tourists from various regions. In the 80's the department becomes more industrial, but modestly, if compared with other departments like Central Department
.
In 1989 Yacyretá
began repositioning the people living in the Yacyretá Reservoir, it still continues. The San Roque González de Santa Cruz Bridge
was inaugurated in 1991, connecting not only the city of Encarnación and Posadas
, but Paraguay with Argentina
.
and refers to the place where Encarnación, the current capital city, was founded, the site was known as "itá" (rock, stone) and "Punta" (tip), then the translation being: "Tip of the Stone".
and Alto Paraná
, 8,9% of Paraguay's total population lives in this department.
, German
, Russia
n, Ukrainian
, French
, Japan
ese, Polish
, and recent time there were also immigrants from Syria
and Lebanon
. Because of this cultural diversity Itapúa was given the name "Melting pot
", making it the most cosmopolitan department of Paraguay.
In the beginning, the first economic sector of the immigrants was the exploitation of natural resources, especially timber
, in the Alto Paraná and San Rafael Hills, now a national park, but now they hold several thriving industries. They also engaged in agriculture
(soybean, corn, tung, corn, etc.) and livestock
.
Department (subnational entity)
Department is the name given to the administrative and political subdivisions of many countries.As a territorial unit, "department" was first used by the French Revolutionary governments, apparently to emphasize that each territory was simply an administrative sub-division of the united sovereign...
in the southern region of Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
. The capital is the city of Encarnación. It is divided into 30 districts, making it the department with the most districts in the country.
History
This department was created after the breakup of the Misiones DepartmentMisiones Department
Misiones is a department located in the southern region of Paraguay. Its capital is San Juan Bautista. The eighth of Paraguay's 17 departments, it was created in 1906, then known as the San Ignacio Department, and was not given its present name until 1945...
, with the city of Encarnación
Encarnación, Paraguay
Encarnación is the capital city of the Paraguayan department of Itapúa, located at the south of the department, on the right-hand shore of the Paraná River, opposite Posadas, Argentina...
as the capital. It had a high economic growth in the first 30 years by the coming of immigrants and the Carlos Antonio Lopez Railway
Rail transport in Paraguay
The Rail system in Paraguay consisted primarily of a 376 km main line of standard gauge between Asunción and Encarnación . The infrastructure was administered by Ferrocarriles del Paraguay S.A. , corporation established in 2002...
, the growth was accompanied with several ups and downs.
Then came an era of decline until the 50's when the Carnaval Encarnaceno becomes known and attract tourists from various regions. In the 80's the department becomes more industrial, but modestly, if compared with other departments like Central Department
Central Department
Central is a department in Paraguay. The capital is Areguá. With its 1,929,834 inhabitants it is the most populated of the 17 departments of Paraguay.-Boundaries:*North: the departments of Cordillera and Presidente Hayes....
.
In 1989 Yacyretá
Yacyretá Dam
The Yacyretá Dam or Hydroelectric Power Station Jasyretâ-Apipé is a dam and hydroelectric power plant built over the waterfalls of Jasyretâ-Apipé in the Paraná River, between the Argentine Province of Corrientes and the Paraguayan City of Ayolas. The dam is named for Yacyretâ Island just upstream,...
began repositioning the people living in the Yacyretá Reservoir, it still continues. The San Roque González de Santa Cruz Bridge
San Roque González de Santa Cruz Bridge
The San Roque González de Santa Cruz Bridge, is a long cable-stayed bridge that crosses the Paraná River between the cities of Posadas, capital of Misiones Province, Argentina and Encarnación, Paraguay, capital of the Paraguayan department of Itapúa. The main bridge is long and the approaching...
was inaugurated in 1991, connecting not only the city of Encarnación and Posadas
Posadas, Misiones
Posadas is the capital city of the Argentine province of Misiones, located at the south of the province, on the left-hand shore of the Paraná River, opposite Encarnación, Paraguay. The city has an area of 965 km² and a population of 323,739 ....
, but Paraguay with Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
.
Toponymy
The name is in guaraníGuaraní language
Guaraní, specifically the primary variety known as Paraguayan Guaraní , is an indigenous language of South America that belongs to the Tupí–Guaraní subfamily of the Tupian languages. It is one of the official languages of Paraguay , where it is spoken by the majority of the population, and half of...
and refers to the place where Encarnación, the current capital city, was founded, the site was known as "itá" (rock, stone) and "Punta" (tip), then the translation being: "Tip of the Stone".
Demography
According to the 2002 National Census Itapúa has a total population of 453,692 inhabitants making it the third most populated department of the country after CentralCentral Department
Central is a department in Paraguay. The capital is Areguá. With its 1,929,834 inhabitants it is the most populated of the 17 departments of Paraguay.-Boundaries:*North: the departments of Cordillera and Presidente Hayes....
and Alto Paraná
Alto Paraná Department
Alto Paraná is a department in Paraguay. The capital is Ciudad del Este .The Alto Paraná department has experienced tremendous economic and population growth in the past 50 years...
, 8,9% of Paraguay's total population lives in this department.
Cultural diversity
Much of the Itapúa region was colonized by immigrants from different origins, among them are the ItalianItaly
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n, Ukrainian
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
, French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese, Polish
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, and recent time there were also immigrants from Syria
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
and Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
. Because of this cultural diversity Itapúa was given the name "Melting pot
Melting pot
The melting pot is a metaphor for a heterogeneous society becoming more homogeneous, the different elements "melting together" into a harmonious whole with a common culture...
", making it the most cosmopolitan department of Paraguay.
In the beginning, the first economic sector of the immigrants was the exploitation of natural resources, especially timber
Timber
Timber may refer to:* Timber, a term common in the United Kingdom and Australia for wood materials * Timber, Oregon, an unincorporated community in the U.S...
, in the Alto Paraná and San Rafael Hills, now a national park, but now they hold several thriving industries. They also engaged in agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
(soybean, corn, tung, corn, etc.) and livestock
Livestock
Livestock refers to one or more domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fiber and labor. The term "livestock" as used in this article does not include poultry or farmed fish; however the inclusion of these, especially poultry, within the meaning...
.
Administrative division
The department is divided into the following 30 districts:| District | Population (2002) | District | Population (2002) | District | Population (2002) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Alto Verá Alto Verá Alto Verá is a district and town in the Itapúa department of Paraguay.-Demography:The district has a total population of 13799, of which 529 lives in the urban area, according to the 2002 national census.-Location:... |
13,799 | 11 Fram Fram, Paraguay Fram is one of the 30 districts in the Itapúa Department of Paraguay.-History:Fram was founded in March 20, 1927 by Norwegian Pedro Cristophensen, along with Matt Sanchez, a native of Carmen del Paraná... |
6,923 | 21 Nueva Alborada Nueva Alborada Nueva Alborada is a town in the Itapúa department of Paraguay.- Sources :* – World-Gazetteer.com... |
9,193 |
| 2 Bella Vista | 9,193 | 12 General Artigas General Artigas General Artigas is a town in the Itapúa department of Paraguay.- Sources :* – World-Gazetteer.com... |
11,042 | 22 Obligado Obligado Obligado is a town in the Itapúa department of Paraguay.- Sources :* – World-Gazetteer.com... |
11,441 |
| 3 Cambyretá Cambyreta Cambyretá is a town and district in the Itapúa department of Paraguay.- Sources :* – World-Gazetteer.com... |
9,193 | 13 General Delgado General Delgado General Delgado is a town in the Itapúa department of Paraguay.- Sources :* – World-Gazetteer.com... |
6,611 | 23 Pirapó | 6,754 |
| 4 Capitán Meza Capitán Meza Capitán Meza is a town in the Itapúa department of Paraguay.- Sources :* – World-Gazetteer.com... |
9,193 | 14 Hohenau Hohenau (Paraguay) Hohenau is a city of the Itapúa Department, Paraguay, located 8 kilometers away from Trinidad and 365 kilometers away from Asunción. It has extensive cultivation fields and streams nearby like the Capi'ivary, Poromocó, Mansisovy, Santa María and others.-Name:... |
9,685 | 24 San Cosme y Damián San Cosme y Damián San Cosme y Damián is a town in the Itapúa department of Paraguay.- Sources :* – World-Gazetteer.com... |
7,322 |
| 5 Capitán Miranda Capitán Miranda Capitán Miranda is a town in the Itapúa department of Paraguay.- Sources :* – World-Gazetteer.com... |
9,193 | 15 Itapúa Poty Itapúa Poty Itapúa Poty is a town in the Itapúa department of Paraguay.- Sources :* – World-Gazetteer.com... |
14,642 | 25 San Juan del Paraná San Juan del Paraná San Juan del Paraná is one of the 30 districts of the Itapúa Department, Paraguay.Is located to the west of the city of Encarnación, the capital of the department, and was founded by Joaquín de Alós y Brú in 1789.... |
7,091 |
| 6 Carlos Antonio López | 17,622 | 16 Jesús | 5,560 | 26 San Pedro del Paraná San Pedro del Paraná San Pedro del Paraná is a town in the Itapúa department of Paraguay.This village is far 360 km of the country's capital Asunción by Route No. 1 Mariscal Francisco Solano López which, in turn, reaches Encarnación.-Geography:... |
28,598 |
| 7 Carmen del Paraná Carmen del Paraná Carmen del Paraná is a town in the Itapúa department of Paraguay.- Sources :* – World-Gazetteer.com... |
9,193 | 17 La Paz | 3,076 | 27 San Rafael del Paraná San Rafael del Paraná San Rafael del Paraná is a town in the Itapúa department of Paraguay.- Sources :* – World-Gazetteer.com... |
20,434 |
| 8 Coronel Bogado Coronel Bogado Coronel Bogado is a town in the Itapúa department of Paraguay.- Sources :* – World-Gazetteer.com... |
17,065 | 18 Leandro Oviedo Leandro Oviedo Leandro Oviedo or José Leandro Oviedo is a village in the Itapúa department of Paraguay.- Sources :* – World-Gazetteer.com... |
4,353 | 28 Tomás Romero Pereira Tomás Romero Pereira, Paraguay Tomás Romero Pereira is a town in the Itapúa department of Paraguay.- Sources :* – World-Gazetteer.com* – Tomas Romero Pereira Municipality... |
27,239 |
| 9 Edelira Edelira Edelira is a town in the Itapúa department of Paraguay.- Sources :* – World-Gazetteer.com... |
22,287 | 19 Mayor Otaño Mayor Otaño Mayor Otaño or Mayor Julio D. Otaño is a town in the Itapúa department of Paraguay.- Sources :* – World-Gazetteer.com... |
12,157 | 29 Trinidad Trinidad, Paraguay Trinidad is a town in the Itapúa department of Paraguay.- Sources :* – World-Gazetteer.com... |
6,873 |
| 10 Encarnación Encarnación, Paraguay Encarnación is the capital city of the Paraguayan department of Itapúa, located at the south of the department, on the right-hand shore of the Paraná River, opposite Posadas, Argentina... |
93,497 | 20 Natalio Natalio Natalio is a town in the Itapúa department of Paraguay.- Sources :* – World-Gazetteer.com... |
19,456 | 30 Yatytay Yatytay Yatytay is a town in the Itapúa department of Paraguay.- Sources :* – World-Gazetteer.com... |
11,415 |
Limits
- North: the departments of Alto ParanáAlto Paraná DepartmentAlto Paraná is a department in Paraguay. The capital is Ciudad del Este .The Alto Paraná department has experienced tremendous economic and population growth in the past 50 years...
and CaazapáCaazapá DepartmentCaazapá is a department in Paraguay. The capital is the city of Caazapá. Among Paraguayans, the department is well known for its orange and mandarin trees, and for its forest hills...
. - South: with Argentina (ProvincesProvinces of ArgentinaArgentina is subdivided into twenty-three provinces and one autonomous city...
of MisionesMisiones ProvinceMisiones is one of the 23 provinces of Argentina, located in the northeastern corner of the country in the Mesopotamiсa region. It is surrounded by Paraguay to the northwest, Brazil to the north, east and south, and Corrientes Province of Argentina to the southwest.- History :The province was...
and CorrientesCorrientes ProvinceCorrientes is a province in northeast Argentina, in the Mesopotamia region. It is surrounded by : Paraguay, the province of Misiones, Brazil, Uruguay, and the provinces of Entre Rios, Santa Fe and Chaco.-History:...
). Separated by the Paraná RiverParaná RiverThe Paraná River is a river in south Central South America, running through Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina for some . It is second in length only to the Amazon River among South American rivers. The name Paraná is an abbreviation of the phrase "para rehe onáva", which comes from the Tupi language...
. - East: the Republic of Argentina (Misiones Province).
- West: with the Misiones DepartmentMisiones DepartmentMisiones is a department located in the southern region of Paraguay. Its capital is San Juan Bautista. The eighth of Paraguay's 17 departments, it was created in 1906, then known as the San Ignacio Department, and was not given its present name until 1945...
.
Climate
The climate is humid subtropical with a tendency to low temperatures, the annual average is 15°C, with a maximum of 40°C and a minimum of -3°C. Rainfall is abundant, with an annual average of nearly 1,700 mm, recorded throughout most of the year except in July and August.See also
- List of high schools in Itapúa