Pilar, Paraguay

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Pilar
native_name =


image_size =
image_caption =


image_size =
image_caption =

---

image_shield =Coat_of_arms_of_Paraguay.svg


mapsize = 200px
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Paraguay
subdivision_type1 = Department
subdivision_name1 = Ñeembucú
leader_title = Intendente Municipal
leader_name = Carlos Francisco Silva Medina.
established_title = Foundation
established_date = October 12, 1779
area_total_km2 = 1130
area_footnotes =
population_as_of = 2008
population_total = 28,716
population_density_km2 = 82
timezone = -4 Gmt
utc_offset =
timezone_DST =
utc_offset_DST =
latd=26 |latm=52 |lats=12 |latNS=S
longd=58|longm= 18|longs=0 |longEW=W
elevation_m =
postal_code_type = Postal code
postal_code = 2800
area_code = (595)(86)
website =

Pilar is the capital city of the Paraguayan department of Ñeembucú, located along the Paraguay River in the southwestern part of the country. Located about convert|358|km|abbr=on from Asunción, Pilar serves as an important center of commerce and government for the far southwestern region of the country.

History

Pilar was founded by Pedro Melo de Portugal on October 12th, 1779. The original name of the settlemnt was "Villa del Ñeembucú", named for the nearby Arroyo Ñeembucú that flows into the Paraguay River. Four years later it was renamed "Villa del Pilar" by Spanish priest Marcial Antonio Uliambre, for the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar ( _es. Catedral-Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar) in his hometown of Zaragoza.

The old town council building in Pilar is where former president Francisco Solano López is believed to have uttered a now famous phrase in defiance against combatants in the costly

Climate

Situated near the confluence of the Paraguay and Paraná rivers, Pilar is in a region of the country with many small streams, rivers and wetlands that contribute to a humid climate. The average annual temperature is convert|22|°C|abbr=on. Summer temperatures can reach as high as convert|40|°C|abbr=on, and it winter it drops to as low as convert|2|°C|abbr=on. The rainy months are January, March, April and October; the dryer are May and August.

Demographics

Pilar has a total population of 29,327, with 14,298 men and 15,030 women, according to information provided by the General Directorate of Statistics, Polls and Census.

Tourism

In the center of the city are important historic places, such as:
* Marshall López Square and Heroes’ Square

* The Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar, Patron Saint, which day is celebrated on October 12th

* The Town Council Museum, a building constructed in 1817, during the government of President Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia. It is very well preserved, with a great balcony where the Colonel López spoke famous words. This is the only building of this nature that is still preserved in the country. In the museum can be founded: photographs, trophies and medalls that belonged to the Marshall López, as well as pieces of columns from the old church, weapons, bullets, ammunitions, chains, lances, shields and other artifacts.

* The house of Juanita Pesoa, Marshall López love of youth and mother of his three children. This Colonial house, with ample walls and characteristics of the XIX century, is situated in the Alberzoni Street.

The restaurants and hotels offer in their menus a variety of delicious food prepared with fish, like the surubí, corvina, pacú and dorado.

There is a great nocturnal activity; there are bars, pubs and restaurants that open all night.

The Pilaerense, América and Capitan Bado Clubs organized the traditional parties in New Year.

In Holy Week people organize fishing competition.

Important anniversaries

* May 1st: Festivity of San José Obrero

* May 14th: Civil parade in commemoration of the Paraguayan Independence

* October 12th: Festivity of the Virgin del Pilar

Transportation

Pilar is served by Carlos Miguel Jiménez Airport, however there are no commercial airline traffic connected to it.

Ferry traffic from the harbor of Pilar connects to Puerto Cano in Argentina. There is a paved highway -#4 National Highway, 140km long- that starts at San Ignacio and leads to Pilar.

= Sources =
* [http://world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=&men=gcis&lng=en&des=wg&geo=-179&srt=npan&col=abcdefghinoq&msz=1500&pt=c&va=x World Gazeteer: Paraguay] – World-Gazetteer.com
* EVP - Wikipedia
* [http://www.evp.edu.py/index.php?title=Portada Enciclopedia Virtual Paraguaya - Portal]