Santiago, Paraguay

infobox city
name = Santiago
official_name = Santiago
department = Misiones

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image_

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mapsize = 200px
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Paraguay
subdivision_type1 = Department
subdivision_name1 = Misiones
postal_code =
country = Paraguay
elevation_m = 69
distance = 278
established_title = Re-founded
established_date = 1669
leader_title =Intendente Municipal
leader_name = Américo Romero Sanabria
(Liberal Party)
founder =
population_as_of = 2008
population_total = 7702
area_total_km2 = 740
population_density_km2 = 9
timezone = -4 Gmt
utc_offset =
timezone_DST =
utc_offset_DST =
postal_code_type =Code Postal
postal_code =4860
area_code = (595) (782)
web =
latd = 27 | latm = 9 | lats = 0| latNS = S
longd = 56 | longm = 47 | long = 0| longEW = W

Santiago is a city of Paraguay, located in the Misiones department. It is one of the most important Jesuit missions.

Toponymy

Santiago was founded as “San Ignacio de Caaguzú”, near the Apa River, it was re-founded in the Misiones department, Paraguay, in 1669 with the name of “Santiago Apóstol”.

History

in the place where is today with the name of “Santiago Apóstol”.

It is an old Jesuit Mission and still today preserves many characteristics of the colonial time, like its great main square, the “house of the indians” and a museum that preserves objects of art from colonial times.

During colonial times Santiago was a very important city because of its population, about 3,000 habitants.

It is important to mention that during the holidays it was organized the Opera of Santiago.

Geography

It is located 278 kilometers from Asunción, capital of the country. It is located on a hill, between Ayolas and San Patricio.

Climate

In summer, the temperature reaches 39º C, in winter drops to 0º C. The annual average is 21º C.

Population

Santiago has a population of 7,702 habitants, 4,017 men and 3,685 women, according to the General Direction of Polls, Statistics and Census.

Economy

The people of Santiago dedicate mostly to cattle. Also to the agriculture and sow corn, sugar cane, cotton and soy.

Municipality

It was re-founded in 1669 where is located today with the name of “Santiago Apóstol”. The current governor is Américo Romero Sanabria (Liberal Party).

Tourism

It has a interesting museum of sacred art, the “Museo Jesuítico de Santiago” (Jesuit Museum of Santiago).

The church preserves many images carved in wood by the natives. The “House of the Indians” is also a museum that exhibits images of saints. The church has a unique altarpiece in the Missions; there are also many pictures of biblical themes.

The Benedictine monastery “Tupasy María” is a beautiful place of meditation, it was founded in 1984.

The habitants of this city preserve the old traditions and in January it is celebrated the “Fiesta Tradicional Misionera” (Missioner Traditional Festivity), when artists and horse breaker from Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, show their abilities in breaking-in and horseracing. In this event traditional Paraguayan food is always present, some of the dishes are mbejú and chipa. This festivity usually attracts many tourists.

The State “Tacuatí” is place for the Festival of Breaking-in and Folklore, located 270 kilometers from Asunción, to the south, in the road to Ayolas.

The Tambo Curupay is an inn where people can stay in their visit to the city, practice sports and take strolls in the country.

How to get to Santiago?

To visit Santiago is necessary to take the deviation road to Ayolas in the Route No. 1 “Mcal. Francisco Solano López”.

References

*Geografía Ilustrada del Paraguay, Distribuidora Arami SRL; 2007. ISBN 99925-68-04-6
*Geografía del Paraguay, Primera Edición 1999, Editorial Hispana Paraguay SRL
* EVP - Wikipedia
* [http://www.evp.edu.py/index.php?title=Portada Enciclopedia Virtual Paraguaya - Portal]

External links

* [http://www.senatur.gov.py/ Secretaria Nacional de Turismo]
* [http://www.abc.com.py ABC Digital "Así es Nuestro País" MISIONES (VIII Departamento)]
* [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/PA/12/Santiago.html Coordenadas Geográficas e Imágenes Satelitales: Santiago]
* [http://www.misionesparaguay.com/ Turismo en Misiones]