Formosa, Argentina

Formosa is the capital city of the Argentine province of Formosa, on the banks of the Paraguay River, about convert|1200|km|mi|0|lk=on|abbr=on from Buenos Aires, on National Route 11. It has a population of about 210,000 as per the census-ar|2001.

Formosa is the hub of the provincial industry, that processes the product of its natural resources. The port that serves the Paraguay towards the Paraná River is the main transport means for the provincial production.

Notable sights of the city include the "Nuestra Seńora del Carmen" Cathedral, the Government House, the "Torelli" Botanic Forest Garden, the Provincial History Museum ("Museo Histórico Provincial"), the "Estadio Centenario" ("Centenary Stadium") football stadium, the "Guaicole" fauna reserve, the shore of the Paraguay River, the "Isla de Oro" Island, and the Central Square named after José de San Martín.

The local climate is humid sub-tropical, with average temperatures of 28 °C in summer and 16 °C in winter.

The El Pucú Airport airport codes|FMA|SARF, at coord|26|12|04|S|58|13|09|W, 7 kilometres south of the city, serves charter flights, and regular flights to Buenos Aires.

History

The lands were initially inhabited by Toba and Wichí (Mataco) aboriginals. On April 8 1879 Commander Luis Jorge Fontana founded the settlement that would become the capital of the National Territory of Chaco from 1884 to June 15 1955, when it gained the status of province.

The name of the city (and the province) comes from the archaic Spanish word "fermosa" (currently "hermosa") meaning "beautiful". The name "Vuelta Fermosa" or "Vuelta la Formosa" was used by Spanish sailors in the 16th century to describe the area where the Paraguay River makes a turn, right in front of the actual city. These sailors were searching for the legendary Sierra del Plata. [ [http://www.argentinaturistica.com/foriresenia.htm Reseña] (Spanish)]

Formosa is mentioned in the novel "Travels with My Aunt", by Graham Greene.

Culture

The city, which is only a few hundred meters away from Paraguay across the river, has a culture closer to that of Paraguay than the "porteño" culture of Buenos Aires. Laid back and relaxed, its young people relax on the Costanera, the recently restored pathway along the Río Paraguay which serves as a venue for arts displays and features a fast-food restaurant, or at boliches, local clubs.

Festivals

Formosa celebrates the Fiesta de la Virgen de la Catedral in July 16th in honor of its patron saint. Celebrations, which occur in the main Plaza San Martín, include the traditional pericón dance and stalls selling everything from food to balloons.

It also celebrates the Fiesta del Río in November, Carnaval on weekends in February and Día de la Fundación de Formosa in April.

Climate

The city has a climate considered as "Humid Subtropical" or "Cfa" by Köppen classification. Winters are generally mild, air frosts are very uncommon . Summers are hot and humid. During the most extreme heat waves, temperatures exceed 40°C (113°F). Temperatures have exceeded 35°C (95°F) in every season [cite web
url =http://www.smn.gov.ar/?mod=clima&id=30&provincia=Formosa&ciudad=Formosa|title = Guía Climática para el Turismo (Climate Guide for Tourists)
accessmonthday = Mar 8
accessyear =2008
language = Spanish] .

Rainfall can be expected throughout the year though summer is usually the wettest season. Thunderstorms can be intense with frequent lightning, powerful gusts of wind and intense precipitation.

Infobox Weather
location = Formosa, Argentina
single_line =Yes
metric_first =Yes
Jan_Hi_°C = 33.5
Feb_Hi_°C = 32.8
Mar_Hi_°C = 31.9
Apr_Hi_°C = 27.3
May_Hi_°C = 24.3
Jun_Hi_°C = 21.5
Jul_Hi_°C = 21.9
Aug_Hi_°C = 24.2
Sep_Hi_°C = 25.2
Oct_Hi_°C = 28.8
Nov_Hi_°C = 30.8
Dec_Hi_°C = 32.6
Year_Hi_°C = 27.9
Jan_Lo_°C = 22.4
Feb_Lo_°C = 21.9
Mar_Lo_°C = 20.6
Apr_Lo_°C = 18.5
May_Lo_°C = 15.2
Jun_Lo_°C = 12.1
Jul_Lo_°C = 12.1
Aug_Lo_°C = 13.4
Sep_Lo_°C = 14.2
Oct_Lo_°C = 17.5
Nov_Lo_°C = 19.9
Dec_Lo_°C = 21.1
Year_Lo_°C = 17.4
Jan_Precip_cm = |Jan_Precip_mm = 156.2
Feb_Precip_cm = |Feb_Precip_mm = 120.6
Mar_Precip_cm = |Mar_Precip_mm = 151.7
Apr_Precip_cm = |Apr_Precip_mm = 212.5
May_Precip_cm = |May_Precip_mm = 115.3
Jun_Precip_cm = |Jun_Precip_mm = 75.7
Jul_Precip_cm = |Jul_Precip_mm = 55.5
Aug_Precip_cm = |Aug_Precip_mm = 61.8
Sep_Precip_cm = |Sep_Precip_mm = 102.2
Oct_Precip_cm = |Oct_Precip_mm = 108.4
Nov_Precip_cm = |Nov_Precip_mm = 202.3
Dec_Precip_cm = |Dec_Precip_mm = 136.2
Year_Precip_cm = |Year_Precip_mm = 1498.4
source =Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (Argentine Meteorological Service) (NB: Data from the period 1981-1990)cite web
url =http://www.smn.gov.ar/?mod=clima&id=30&provincia=Formosa&ciudad=Formosa|title = Guía Climática para el Turismo (Climate Guide for Tourists)
accessmonthday = Mar 8
accessyear =2008
language = Spanish]
accessdate = Mar 2008

References

External links

* [http://www.formosa.gov.ar/ Official website] (Spanish)
*
* [http://www.unf.edu.ar/ National University of Formosa] (Spanish)