Altos (Paraguay)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| San Lorenzo de la Cordillera de los Altos | |||
| Altos | |||
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| Coordinates: | |||
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| Department | Cordillera | ||
| Founded | August 10th, 1538 | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 92 km² (35.5 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 207 m (679 ft) | ||
| Area code(s) | 516 | ||
Altos is a district and locality of the Cordillera Department, Paraguay.
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[edit] Etymology
It is also called “Altos de Ybypytaré”, which in Guaraní means “path of the wind”, previously called “San Lorenzo de la Coordillera de los Altos”, one of the oldest cities of Paraguay. It is known as the “Terrace of the country” because of its high altitude.
[edit] Climate
The climate in this department is mild and dry. The average temperature is 22º Celsius, in summer reaches 39º C and in winter drops to 3º C.
[edit] Demography
Altos’ population is 13.114 habitants in total, 6.862 men and 6.252 women, according to information provided by the Statistics, Polls and Census General Direction.
[edit] History
There are two versions of its foundation. The first, tells Domingo Martínez de Irala founded it, on August 10th, 1538. The second one tells that was Fray Luis de Bolaños in 1580, with the purpose of being the first “Reducción Guaraní” of Río de la Plata and Paraguay.
It was the hiding place of Joseph Mengele, notorious Nazi scientific and medical doctor, who experimented in the Nazi concentration fields with children, women, etc. Mengele and his wife flew to Altos in 1959, after the government of Occidental Germany discovered their home in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and he received the notification for arrest. His wife did not adapt to this new life and left him. In 1960, he panicked after hearing news of the interest of The Nazi Hunter in his capture, and so leave Altos to go to Hohenau in the South of Paraguay.
[edit] Economy
The people in Altos dedicate to the production of medical plants and coffee, as well as the manufacturing of craftsmanship in wood, the farming of watermelons and other vegetables, and the breeding of horned cattle.
[edit] Tourism
The church is from the time of the Jesuit Missions and in honor of its patron saint, San Lorenzo (Saint Lawrence).
The Heroes Square it is located in the center of the city.
The plane crash in which the Marshall José Félix Estigarribia died was near the city of Altos, by the Aguaí Stream.
The most important artisan production is the carving of timbó wood in the shape of animals, mythological beings and masks that are later painted with intense colors. The masks became famous as “kamba ra’anga”, an image of the mulatto, used in the re-enactments of the battles between the kambá (mulattos) and the guaicurúes (natives), during the festivities of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, on July 28th and 29th in Itaguazú, located 2 kilometers from Altos. This is an important festivity of colonial origins in which are also organized games and prepared typical food.
The route to access the city provides a beautiful landscape for visitors to enjoy, because it goes up a chain of mountains and looks down onto the Ypacaraí Lake and the exuberant vegetation surrounding it. “The Tukanga Route” is an outing offered by the Municipality and it is called that way because of the abundance of “tucanes” (toucans) in the area. The region is distinctive for its richness in natural resources.
There is also the Saldivar Stream, located in a natural reserve with more than 4 hectares, 8 kilometers from the center of city.
The farm “El Gaucho” has 4 hectares of abundant vegetation, but also with modern and comfortable installations that relive the Colonial time. It offers rides on horses, strolls through the countryside and a relaxing time resting in the Paraguayan hammocks near the poll.
The rural hotel “La Grappa” offers visitors the natural environment of the mountainous country, in addition to nights of Paraguayan and Latin American folklore.
“The Bar of Tereré” is a very particular establishment that invites to try the refreshing Paraguayan beverage called “Tereré”, served to appease the high temperatures. In this bar, the experts guide the visitors in the right selection of the yerba, yuyo (medical herb) and utensils for the tereré. All in a place decorated with traditional crafts and furniture. It is located in the avenue that connects San Bernardino and Altos.
[edit] People from Altos
Altos is the hometown of the international famous artist Luis Alberto del Paraná. His house is located in the historical part of the city. Luis Alberto traveled through all Europe, entertaining with his music, receiving in return important awards for his records.
[edit] How to get to Altos
The access to the city is through the cities Atyra and Loma Grande, that are located to the east of Altos.
[edit] References
- Illustrated Geography of Paraguay, 2007. Arami S. R. L. Distributor.
- Geography of Paraguay, First Edition 1999, Editorial HIspana Paraguay S. R. L.
