| Arroyos y Esteros | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
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| Country | Paraguay | ||
| Department | Cordillera | ||
| Founder | March 9 by Pedro Melo de Portugal | ||
| Government | |||
| • Intendente Municipal | Ignacio Desiderio Bello Cazal | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 533 km2 (205.8 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 70 m (230 ft) | ||
| Population (2008) | |||
| • Total | 19.001 inh. | ||
| • Density | 37/km2 (95.8/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | -4 Gmt | ||
| Postal code | 3190 | ||
| Area code(s) | (595) (510) | ||
Arroyos y Esteros (Streams and Swamps) is a district of the Cordillera Department, Paraguay.
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Its name describes exactly the real aspect of this place, which is surrounded by swamps and streams. It was also named Tobatí Tuyá, which is one of the rivers of this region.
Its founder, Governor Pedro de Melo de Portugal called it "Chapel Duarte", but in 1849 Carlos Antonio López named it "Arroyos y Esteros".
Arroyos y Esteros is a small town, growing economically as well as in population. There are approximately 20,000 people living in the district, but these are found mostly in 13 outlying satellite communities, with only 8,000 inhabitants in the center of town. The topography can best be described in the words of the towns founder, Father Fidel Maíz, as having a lot of streams and swamps. The most valuable resources in the town are its citizens.
Once quite isolated, Arroyos now sits on the International Highway 3, which allows for rapid transit to Asuncion and the possibility of round trip travel in the same day. Historically Arroyos has close ties to the larger and more prosperous Tobati, approx. 23 km to the south, but this is slowly eroding as the bright lights of Asuncion draw more and more of the townspeople to the capital for business and study. An ongoing feud between the town's mayor currently threatens the fragile link with the capital.
The principal economic activity in Arroyos y Esteros is agriculture, especially sugarcane. Pineapple and melons are other important crops. Sesame was introduced a few years ago and is slowly making inroads, despite some early crop failures. There are several large ranches in the area with cattle, and some other lesser animals (sheep, goats). The arrival of a sugar factory dedicated to producing organic sugar changed the face of the arroyense economy as many former small molasses factories shut down to deliver the raw material to the more efficient large factory.
The international leisure circuit now makes a stop in Arroyos y Esteros at the Carlos Franco Country & Golf Club, an internationally renowned 18 hole course, owned by the eponymous PGA golfer, Paraguay’s own Carlos Franco. Employing literally hundreds of people in the maintenance and development of the course, as well as in the first class dining establishment, administration, and attention to clients, CFCGC is bringing visibility and, more importantly, buckets of money to the region.
The town's fiesta patronal is October 4- San Francisco, however each company has its own fiesta patronal, also the Foundation Day, March 9, celebration invented by the current mayor to boost tourism in Arroyos y Esteros. The fiesta de la piña (Pineaplpe Festival) and alike are not to be missed.
The churrascaria Boa Vista, once nationally renowned, has suffered greatly from the owner’s absence after she married soccer star Gabriel “Loco” Gonzalez. Once the pinnacle of the Arroyos dining experience, with over four kinds of meat available at one time, and a complete salad bar, Boa Vista has been relegated to minimal offerings of milanesas, hamburgers and lomitos, and the occasional chorizo and overcooked beef rib, although with its ever-changing hours of operation one should call ahead for a reservation if expecting to entertain business clients or other important persons.
Across the street, one can break his fast at the more dependable Churrascaria Manduvira, although arrive early to enjoy a selection of food that is not hamburger or empanada. Also, due to the owner’s religious beliefs no alcoholic beverages are sold on the premises, although he does not object to the consumption of such beverages bought elsewhere and does not charge a corking fee. There is something to eat here 24 hours a day, good for a late night pick-me-up after putting in long hours at the office.
Former head chef of Manduvira, Edgar Benegas, left thatched roof of Manduvira behind to launch his solo venture, “Edgar’s Bar and Grill”, a VIP establishment, currently ranked number one among the Arroyense foodie circles. Edgar serves up slabs of ribs and beef every night accompanied by his charming wife, Rocio.
If looking to savor traditional Arroyense cooking, do not overlook ña Ramona’s bistro, located in downtown Arroyos by the plaza. Said to be the house of the very same Father Fidel Maíz, with its rumors of buried treasure and the ghosts that guard it, ña Ramona’s offers the very best of classic Paraguayan favorites such as so’o apua, vori vori de gallina, and my personal favorite, guiso de mondongo. Call ahead for daily specials, reservations are a must.
Not for nothing is Arroyos y Esteros known as the Valle Organico (Organic Valley). At the full-service farmers market every Saturday morning, one can buy the freshest, organic produce direct from the small farmers. Find here a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, from acelga to zucchini, homemade jams, cheese, milk, eggs, and traditional Paraguayan snack foods cooked in the tatakua on the premises.
Arroyos y Esteros is a city of Paraguay, it was founded in 1767 and is 67 km away from the capital city Asunción.
The land is completely surrounded by rivers, Piribebuy and Manduvirá River, which are mouths of many swamps and streams before these important rivers flow into Paraguay River. According to a local legend, two images of the Mother Virgen were found, one of those is the one in Caacupé, the faithful capital city of Paraguay, and the other one is in Tobatí. Arroyos y Esteros is a very wealthy region in vegetation because of its privileged location.
The weather is mild and dry. Temperature ranges from 23 to 27 Celsius (73.4-80.6 F) during winter 3 Celsius is the minimum.
Arroyos y Esteros has 22.723 inhabitants, who 12.052 are men and 10.670 women, according to the census (2002). There are 2.049 people in the urban area and 16.592 in the rural area. Because of not enough job opportunities, young people migrate to search for better life conditions.
This city was founded by the Governor Pedro de Melo de Portugal who gave the name “Capilla Duarte”, Carlos Antonio López named it “Arroyos y Esteros” in 1849. Since there is no exact date on the foundation, it was established Priest Fidel Maiz birth and death as the date the town celebrates its foundation, which is March 9.
People who live there say that when the first President, Carlos Antonio López, went to visit Priest Maíz, said to the priest: "I had to cross rivers, streams and swamps to get here", and that is the reason this city was named Arroyos y Esteros.
Arroyos y Esteros is best known as the “World's Cradle of Organic Sugar” and famous because it is the main sugar cane producer of Paraguay, honey and rum are other products gotten from the sugar cane. People also grow pineapple, banana and some other crops. The city economy is also based on cattle raising.
Route III “Gral. Elizardo Aquino” is the first way to get there. Buses from “Empresa Fidel Maiz”, which pass by Emboscada, connect the city with the capital city of Asuncion. Another way to get to Arroyos y Esteros is going from Caacupe through Tobati.
The peaceful, bucolic resort Piro'y sits 8 kilometers from the highway, on the sandy banks of the Manduvirá River. Here, families gather to enjoy volleyball, barbecues, fishing, and the occasional outdoor concert. Sundays are highly recommended for an unforgettable day in the countryside. Ype Kuá is a resource where people can stay and enjoy nature, go horseback riding, or go boating and see wild animals. Arroyos y Esteros is also known as "La Esmeralda de las Cordilleras", because of the special green of its vegetation and farming.
Some streams nearby are:
The rivers that surround the city are:
Some hills are:
Route Nº III “Gral. Elizardo Aquino” connects the city with Asuncion. One could take a longer, but more scenic route by Route II, via Caacupé and Tobatí, passing important natural rock formations to reach the ecological paradise of Arroyos y Esteros.
Priest Fidel Maiz, was born in Arroyos y Esteros and was a very important character during the War of the Triple Alliance.