- Altos (Paraguay)
infobox city
name = Altos
official_name = San Lorenzo de la Cordillera de los Altos
department = Cordillera
image_
map_size = 200px
country= Paraguay
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name =Paraguay
subdivision_type1 = Department
subdivision_name1 = Cordillera
leader_title = Intendente municipal
leader_name = Luis Emilio Saldivar Cardenas
elevation_m = 207
distance = 83
established_title = Founded
established_date =August 10th ,1538
population_as_of = 2008
population_note =
population_total = 13.114
population_metro =
population_urban =
population_density_km2 =
population_density_sq_mi =
area_total_km2 = 92
population_density_km2 = 73
timezone = -4 Gmt
utc_offset =
timezone_DST =
utc_offset_DST =
postal_code_type = Postal code
postal_code = 3240
area_code = (595) (516)
latd = 25 | latm = 14 | lats = 0 | latNS = S
longd = 57 | longm = 15| long = 0 | longEW = WAltos is a district and locality of the
Cordillera Department ,Paraguay .Etymology
It is also called “Altos de Ybypytaré”, which in
Guaraní means “path of the wind”, previously called “San Lorenzo de la Cordillera de los Altos”, one of the oldest cities ofParaguay . It is known as the “Terrace of the country” because of its high altitude.Climate
The climate in this department is mild and dry. The average
temperature is 22ºCelsius , insummer reaches 39°C and inwinter drops to 3°C.Demography
Altos’ population is 13,114 in total, 6,862 men and 6,252 women, according to information provided by the Statistics, Polls and Census General Direction.
History
There are two versions of its foundation. The first tells that
Domingo Martínez de Irala founded it, onAugust 10th ,1538 . The second one tells that it was FriarLuis de Bolaños in1580 , with the purpose of being the first “Reducción Guaraní” ofRío de la Plata and Paraguay.It was the hiding place of
Joseph Mengele , notoriousnazi scientist and medical doctor, who experimented in the Nazi concentration camps. Mengele and his wife flew to Altos in1959 , after the government of Occidental Germany discovered their home inBuenos Aires ,Argentina , and he received the notification for arrest. His wife did not adapt to this new life and left him. In1960 , he panicked after hearing news of the interest of the nazi hunter in his capture,and with kidnapping ofAdolf Eichmann , left Altos to go to Hohenau in the South ofParaguay .Economy
The Altos is known for the harvesting of
pharmacological plants andcoffee , as well as general agriculture, woodcraft, and the breeding of horned cattle.Tourism
The church is from the time of the
Jesuit Missions and in honor of its patron saint, San Lorenzo (Saint Lawrence).It is located in Heroes' Square in the center of the city.
Marshal
José Félix Estigarribia 's fatal plane crash 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, with modern and comfortable amenities that recreate colonial times.
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 visitors to try the refreshing Paraguayan beverage called “Tereré”, served to ameliorate 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.
People from Altos
Altos is the hometown of the internationally renowned artist
Luis Alberto del Paraná . His house is located in the historical area of the city. Luis Alberto traveled through allEurope , entertaining with his music and receiving important awards for his records.How to get to Altos
Access to the city is through the cities
Atyrá andLoma Grande , located to the east of Altos.References
* Illustrated Geography of Paraguay, 2007. Arami S. R. L. Distributor.
* Geography of Paraguay, First Edition 1999, Editorial HIspana Paraguay S. R. L.
* 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.fallingrain.com/world/PA/8/Altos.html Coordenadas Geográficas e Imágenes Satelitales: Altos]
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