Areguá Aregua | |
|---|---|
   Clockwise from top: an artisans' market, the welcome sign in front of the main church and a view from Areguá Beach. | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
| Etymology: People from above | |
| Nickname(s): City of Strawberries | |
  Areguá | |
| Country |  Paraguay |
| Department | Central |
| Government | |
• Mayor | Humberto Denis Torres Fleytas (ANR) |
| Area | |
• Total | 105 km2 (41 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 70 m (230 ft) |
| Population | |
• 2023 estimate | 83,028[1] |
• Density | 642.73/km2 (1,664.7/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-3 |
| Calling code | 291 |
| Website | https://www.municipios.gov.py/aregua/ |
Areguá is acreative city and the capital ofCentral Department inParaguay. It is known for its production ofstrawberry products,pottery,colonial architecture and historiccobblestone streets.
The district lies between theYpacaraí Lake and the basin it forms with theSalado River to the East and hills to the West.
Areguá is thought to come fromClassical Guaraniariguâ·r ("[person/people] from above, from up there"), refererring to the area's high altitude and its first inhabitants from theMbya Guarani tribes.[2]
Areguá was founded byDomingo Martínez de Irala in 1538.[3] Early settlers, numbering about 200, lived close to the church. They wereMercedarians who arrived with theSpanish to raise cattle. African slaves were put to work on these farms.[4]
It was promoted to district status on November 12, 1862 byFrancisco Solano López.
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.
In 2019, it was designed as acity of crafts and folk arts by theUNESCO as part of itsCreative Cities Network.[5][6]
Areguá is divided in twenty-fourbarrios:
| 1 | San Miguel | 13 | Costa Fleitas |
| 2 | Santo Domingo | 14 | Jukyty |
| 3 | San Roque | 15 | Valle Pucú |
| 4 | Las Mercedes | 16 | Jukyry |
| 5 | Boquerón | 17 | Isla Valle |
| 6 | San Cayetano | 18 | San Miguel |
| 7 | Santa Catalina | 19 | Caacupemí |
| 8 | Estanzuela | 20 | Fracción Yvoty |
| 9 | Kokue Guasu | 21 | Fracción Alicia |
| 10 | Pindolo | 22 | Villa Salvador |
| 11 | San Antonio | 23 | Villa Rosita |
| 12 | María Auxiliadora | 24 | Tajy Poty |
Areguá's climate istemperate. Maximum summer temperatures reach 40°C. Average winter temperatures are 0°C. The average annual rainfall is 1377mm distributed throughout the year.
Areguá's population is about 67,847. Of these residents, 33,870 are female and 33,977 are male.[7]
Areguá's economy is based onstrawberry farming. The town is also known for its pottery, which is an emergent industry in the region.
Every year, theStrawberry Expo takes place in Areguá. It consists of a month-long strawberry festival where farmers and producers sell strawberries and strawberry products (from juice, cakes and liquors to ice cream,empanadas andpastafrolas).[8]
The district'spatronal festival is February 2 (Virgin of Candelaria). Celebrations last around ten days, these include: a novena, a folk festival, serenatas and a procession that takes the image of the Virgin of Candelaria to schools, businesses and chapels, among other places.[9]
Areguá has a historic area centred onAvenida del Lago (Lake Avenue) which runs from a hilltop church to theYpacaraí Lake. In 1997, the Paraguayan parliament declared it a National Heritage Area.
Isla Valle, the local ecological organization, regulates fishing in the lake.[10]
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.[11] The formations are a protected heritage site and the hill was declared a Natural Monument in 1993.
The Paraguayan writerGabriel Casaccia was born in Areguá.[citation needed]
Districts in theCentral Department | ||
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