Ypacaraí Lake
Encyclopedia
Ypacaraí Lake is a major waterbody located in Paraguay
about 25 km east of Asunción
. The lake lies in the western part of the Asunción-Sapucai-Villarrica graben
, a tectonic depression
of Mesozoic
age, and drains to the northwest trough Salado River
into Paraguay River
. The lake is surrounded by three cities: Aregua
, Ypacarai
and San Bernardino
, abeit only the last one develops at its shores.
has been widely known because of the song “Memories of Ypacarai”, written by Demetrio Ortiz. This is one of the two Paraguayan main lakes. It is located 28 km (17.4 mi) from Asuncion
, and
Around this lake appealing activities take place. During Summer time, the lake is visited by local and travelers that enjoy its beaches and the great landscape.
The lake outflows in Salado River, that goes itself in Paraguay River. And the lake receives water from various brooks, as Yagua Resau, Yuquyry, Puente Estrella y Pirayu.
that tells that Luis de Bolaños
blessed the place around 1600. Others tell that Ypacarai is a confusion of other words in Guarani
, and the outcome is similar to what happened with the word kangaroo
, original from Australia
.
This is a very interesting place. For instance, there are permanent art craft exhibitions, and the antique architecture
and city structure are worth seeing.
La cuenca: The Artisans Center, offers a faire where local artists show their work.
Estacion A: This is a culture center, where visitors and tourists can obtain to information.
Guggiari Center: Art center with sculpture
exhibition
. It is located at the very entrance of the city.
Ypacarai
La Casa de la Cultura: This is a historical museum
, where some exhibitions are also presented. This museum opens specially during September, when an important festival takes place.
Festival del Lago
: Every year, in Ypacarai city, since 1971 this festival is celebrated. This is a popular party that encourages folk
expression and Paraguayan Art. This event goes on in September. One can enjoy concerts, dance
and theater.
According to the City Chamber, this festival “tries to rescue and reinforce the artistic heritage of Paraguayan culture”
San Bernardino
Casa Hassler: is a cultural center, open the whole year. Artists can show their work here at no cost. Here there are permanent and temporal exhibitions. Besides, there is a History Museum, a Public Library
, acting and dance lessons.
In Aregua one can also visit the Artisans fair, where the locals offer pottery and clay figures.
Aregua: A 31 km (19.3 mi) from Asuncion. One can take an exit from Ruta 2 in Capiata
City, or Leaving from Luque city.
San Bernardino: A 48 km (29.8 mi) from Asunción. From Ruta 2, take the exit to the city.
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...
about 25 km east of Asunción
Asunción
Asunción is the capital and largest city of Paraguay.The "Ciudad de Asunción" is an autonomous capital district not part of any department. The metropolitan area, called Gran Asunción, includes the cities of San Lorenzo, Fernando de la Mora, Lambaré, Luque, Mariano Roque Alonso, Ñemby, San...
. The lake lies in the western part of the Asunción-Sapucai-Villarrica graben
Geology of Paraguay
The country of Paraguay lies geologically at the borderzone between several cratons being most of the country covered by Tertiary sediments and thick regolith. Due to thick Tertiary sediment and regolith development few outcrops are available in Paraguay. East of Paraguay River that Precambrian and...
, a tectonic depression
Graben
In geology, a graben is a depressed block of land bordered by parallel faults. Graben is German for ditch. Graben is used for both the singular and plural....
of Mesozoic
Mesozoic
The Mesozoic era is an interval of geological time from about 250 million years ago to about 65 million years ago. It is often referred to as the age of reptiles because reptiles, namely dinosaurs, were the dominant terrestrial and marine vertebrates of the time...
age, and drains to the northwest trough Salado River
Salado River
The Salado River is a river that crosses several provinces of Argentina, flowing from its source in the Salta Province to end in the Paraná River, in the Santa Fe Province. Because its origin, its flow varies widely within the year, and it can dry out in some parts of its path during the winter...
into Paraguay River
Paraguay River
The Paraguay River is a major river in south central South America, running through Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina...
. The lake is surrounded by three cities: Aregua
Areguá
Areguá is a city in Paraguay; located 28 km away from the capital city Asunción. It is the capital of Central. Probably the best feature of this Paraguayan town is its geographical location; it lays between a group of rolling hills with a distinctive rock formation and a beautiful blue lake,...
, Ypacarai
Ypacaraí
Ypacaraí is a town in the Central Department of Paraguay on Lake Ypacarai. On the road system, it is located between Asunción and Caacupé. In 2004, the village had a population of 30,150, and is 64.1 m above sea level. Notable agricultural crops of the area include tobacco and cotton...
and San Bernardino
San Bernardino, Paraguay
San Bernardino is a town and distrito in Paraguay, located on the shores of Ypacarai Lake in the Cordillera Department...
, abeit only the last one develops at its shores.
Ypacarai Lake
This beautiful lakeLake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
has been widely known because of the song “Memories of Ypacarai”, written by Demetrio Ortiz. This is one of the two Paraguayan main lakes. It is located 28 km (17.4 mi) from Asuncion
Asunción
Asunción is the capital and largest city of Paraguay.The "Ciudad de Asunción" is an autonomous capital district not part of any department. The metropolitan area, called Gran Asunción, includes the cities of San Lorenzo, Fernando de la Mora, Lambaré, Luque, Mariano Roque Alonso, Ñemby, San...
, and
Around this lake appealing activities take place. During Summer time, the lake is visited by local and travelers that enjoy its beaches and the great landscape.
Geography
Ypacarai Lake area is about 90 km² (34.7 sq mi) and its length is 24 km (14.9 mi) from north to south and 6 km (3.7 mi) from east to west. The average deep of the water is about 3 metres (9.8 ft).The lake outflows in Salado River, that goes itself in Paraguay River. And the lake receives water from various brooks, as Yagua Resau, Yuquyry, Puente Estrella y Pirayu.
Weather
The weather is mainly warm. Sunny days are frequent. Temperature might vary between 20 and 38 °C (68 and 100.4 F) during summer and between 3 and 25 °C (37.4 and 77 F) during winter.History
In early days, this lake name was Tapycua. There are several versions that could explain the meaning of its name. Some affirm that Ypacarai means Holy Lake, because of the legendLegend
A legend is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude...
that tells that Luis de Bolaños
Luis de Bolaños
Luis de Bolaños was a Spanish Franciscan friar and missionary evangelist, initiator of the system of reductions in Paraguay and northeastern Argentina....
blessed the place around 1600. Others tell that Ypacarai is a confusion of other words in Guarani
Guaraní 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 the outcome is similar to what happened with the word kangaroo
Kangaroo
A kangaroo is a marsupial from the family Macropodidae . In common use the term is used to describe the largest species from this family, especially those of the genus Macropus, Red Kangaroo, Antilopine Kangaroo, Eastern Grey Kangaroo and Western Grey Kangaroo. Kangaroos are endemic to the country...
, original from Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Transportation
One can see this lake visiting one of the surrounding cities. From Asuncion Bus Terminal buses depart to San Bernardino and Ypacarai. To go to Aregua, one can take the bus from Avenida San Martín o Aviadores del Chaco, in Asuncion.Art and Culture
AreguaAreguá
Areguá is a city in Paraguay; located 28 km away from the capital city Asunción. It is the capital of Central. Probably the best feature of this Paraguayan town is its geographical location; it lays between a group of rolling hills with a distinctive rock formation and a beautiful blue lake,...
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
and city structure are worth seeing.
La cuenca: The Artisans Center, offers a faire where local artists show their work.
Estacion A: This is a culture center, where visitors and tourists can obtain to information.
Guggiari Center: Art center with sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
exhibition
Exhibition
An exhibition, in the most general sense, is an organized presentation and display of a selection of items. In practice, exhibitions usually occur within museums, galleries and exhibition halls, and World's Fairs...
. It is located at the very entrance of the city.
Ypacarai
La Casa de la Cultura: This is a historical museum
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
, where some exhibitions are also presented. This museum opens specially during September, when an important festival takes place.
Festival del Lago
Ypacaraí Festival
The Ypacaraí Festival has been held in the city of Ypacaraí, Paraguay, since 1971, between August and September. It is a folklore festival organized with great emphasis on all kinds of cultural manifestations....
: Every year, in Ypacarai city, since 1971 this festival is celebrated. This is a popular party that encourages folk
Folk
The English word Folk is derived from a Germanic noun, *fulka meaning "people" or "army"...
expression and Paraguayan Art. This event goes on in September. One can enjoy concerts, dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
and theater.
According to the City Chamber, this festival “tries to rescue and reinforce the artistic heritage of Paraguayan culture”
San Bernardino
Casa Hassler: is a cultural center, open the whole year. Artists can show their work here at no cost. Here there are permanent and temporal exhibitions. Besides, there is a History Museum, a Public Library
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
, acting and dance lessons.
Tourism
Ypacarai is a relatively shallow lake. Boats and small ships can navigate it without inconvenience. The lake is surrounded by cities with necessary facilities for tourists and visitors. Beaches are open to public, and they are very popular during summer, especially in San Bernardino.San Bernardino
It is located 48 km (29.8 mi) away from Asunción. This city has beaches, cultural centers, pubs, and interesting restaurants. San Bernardino is also called “Summer City”, since it has facilities and attractions for visitors.Aregua
It is 31 km (19.3 mi) from Asunción. This is a beautiful city, with a bohemian charming touch. Writers’ choice and important characters favorite place. This city also has a public beach.In Aregua one can also visit the Artisans fair, where the locals offer pottery and clay figures.
Gastronomy
Cities that surround the lake offer great variety of gastronomic styles. There are plenty of places that offer fast food and traditional flavors. Fruit salads, pastries, chipas and empanadas are some options.How to get there
Ypacarai: 34 km (21.1 mi) from Asunción taking Ruta 2.Aregua: A 31 km (19.3 mi) from Asuncion. One can take an exit from Ruta 2 in Capiata
Capiatá
Capiatá is a city in Central Department, Paraguay.It is the only city in Central that borders seven cities: Aregua, Itaugua, Juan Augusto Saldívar, Luque, Ñemby, San Lorenzo and Ypane....
City, or Leaving from Luque city.
San Bernardino: A 48 km (29.8 mi) from Asunción. From Ruta 2, take the exit to the city.