Arroyos y Esteros

Arroyos y Esteros
District
Arroyos y Esteros
Coordinates: 25°04′01″S 57°06′00″W / 25.067°S 57.100°W / -25.067; -57.100
Country Paraguay
Department Cordillera
Founder March 9 by Pedro Melo de Portugal
Government
 • Intendente Municipal Ignacio Desiderio Bello Cazal
Area
 • Total 533 km2 (206 sq mi)
Elevation 70 m (230 ft)
Population (2008)
 • Total 19.001 inh.
 • Density 37/km2 (100/sq mi)
Time zone -4 Gmt
Postal code 3190
Area code(s) (595) (510)

Arroyos y Esteros (Spanish for Streams and Swamps) is a district of the Cordillera Department, Paraguay.

Etymology

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".

Information

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.

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.

Church of Arroyos y Esteros

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 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.

Arroyos y Esteros is a city of Paraguay, it was founded in 1767 and is 67 km away from the capital city Asunción.

Front of the Municipality of Arroyos y Esteros

Geography

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.

Weather

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.

Demography

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.

History

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.

Square

Economy

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.

Transportation

Route III “Gral. Elizardo Aquino” is the main 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.

Geography

Ancient house in the city of Arroyos y Esteros

Some streams nearby are:

The rivers that surround the city are:

Some hills are:

Important People from 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.

Bibliography and references

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Arroyos y Esteros.

Coordinates: 25°04′S 57°06′W / 25.067°S 57.100°W / -25.067; -57.100

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