Ayolas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ayolas
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District
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Clockwise from top: a view of the sunset from the coast, people getting off a watchtower and a photographer taking pictures.
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| Etymology: Juan de Ayolas | |||
| Nickname(s):
A Paradise by the River
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 Ayolas
Location in Paraguay
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| Government | |||
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• Mayor
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Carlos María Arrechea Ortiz (ANR) | ||
| Area | |||
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• Total
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122 km2 (47 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 70 m (230 ft) | ||
| Population | |||
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• 2023 estimate
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19,739 | ||
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• Density
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622/km2 (1,611.0/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-4 | ||
| Calling code | 72 | ||
| Website | https://www.municipalidadayolas.gov.py | ||
Ayolas is a city in the department of Misiones, Paraguay. It is located about 310 km southeast of Asunción. The city sits right on the banks of the Paraná River. Ayolas is also the name of the district where the city is found.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The city is named after Juan de Ayolas. He was an important explorer who worked with Pedro de Mendoza. Juan de Ayolas founded a place called Puerto la Candelaria. This place is now known as Fuerte Olimpo on the Paraguay River. People believe that Chaco Indians killed him because he disappeared and was never seen again.
Before it was called Ayolas, the area was known as "Paraje San Josemí." The original plan was to build Ayolas in Coratei. But the founders found Coratei to be an empty place. So, they decided to build Ayolas in Paraje San Josemí instead. This spot was a Jesuit port. It already had some people, a church, and a town square. It was a much better place to start a new city.
Where is Ayolas?
Ayolas is in the southern part of Paraguay. It is close to the towns of Santiago, San Juan Bautista, and San Ignacio. Across the river, you can see Ituzaingó in Argentina. Ayolas is on the north bank of the Paraná River. This river forms the border with Argentina. The city is also very close to the Yacyretá Dam.
Ayolas used to be a small fishing village. But it changed a lot when the Yacyretá Hydroelectric Dam was built. Now, it has modern buildings and roads. This makes it the most modern city in the Misiones department. Corateí beach is famous for its white sands. Many tourists visit it in the summer. People enjoy water sports there.
In summer, the temperature can reach about 41 °C (106 °F). In winter, it can drop to 0 °C (32 °F). The average temperature for the year is around 21 °C (70 °F). The area has very low chances of earthquakes.
About 18 km from Ayolas, there is a special place called the Atinguy Refuge. It covers 100 hectares (about 250 acres). Many different animals live here. The Yacyretá Binational Entity has taken care of this refuge since 1982. You can take guided tours on special paths. The refuge protects native animals from the dam area. It also helps to breed animals that are in danger.
How Many People Live Here?
Ayolas has a population of about 15,219 people. Out of these, 7,749 are male and 7,470 are female. Most people, about 10,851, live in the rural areas. About 4,368 people live in the city area. Ayolas is the second most populated city in the department. Only San Ignacio has more people.
A Look Back in Time
The city of Ayolas was founded in 1840. Patricio Aquino started it because José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia asked him to.
The Binational Entity of Yacyreta is located within the city. When the dam was being built, a new part of the city was planned. This new area was built right next to the old town. It was made to house all the workers. So, in 1979, Villa Permanente was created. It was a model town with different house styles and a very organized layout. It also had modern schools, shopping areas, a hospital, and a bus station.
As the dam project grew, more workers were needed. This led to the creation of other housing areas. These included "Mil viviendas" (meaning "thousand houses") or "Nucleo 1" and "Nucleo 2" in the mid-1980s. Workers were often given these houses for free. This encouraged them to move from bigger cities. For a long time, the employer even paid for things like water, electricity, and phone services.
The district is well-known for fishing, especially for a fish called "EL DORADO." After the Yacyretá hydroelectric power plant was finished, the city became a popular place for tourists. Thousands of visitors from Paraguay and other countries come here now.
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What About the Economy?
The people of Ayolas work in farming, trade, and fishing. Fishing is a very important activity for the city. It is what Ayolas is most known for. But with the building of the "Yacyreta Binational Dam," working at the dam has become a main source of jobs and money for many people in Ayolas.
The Yacyretá hydroelectric dam is near the town. Its name means "country of the moon." This is because it is close to an island with special plants and animals. You can find the Arary forest and wide sand dunes with clear lagoons. This dam created many jobs for people in the town and nearby areas. It is a project built by both Paraguayans and Argentines.
Getting Around
You can reach Ayolas by taking a turn off Route I Mcal Francisco Solano López. This turn is after you pass the town of Santiago.
The city also has the Juan de Ayolas Airport. However, no regular passenger flights use this airport.
Fun Things to Do
Near Ayolas, you can visit the Yacyretá hydroelectric dam. It is called "country of the moon" because it is near an island. This island has unique plants and animals. You can see the Arary forest and beautiful lagoons. The dam has brought many jobs to the area. It is a project shared by Argentina and Paraguay.
Ayolas has an archaeological museum. It displays old objects found in the area. These include pots used by the local Indians. You can also see many animal and plant species.
Fishermen love Ayolas because of its great fishing spots. You can catch amazing fish like boga and dorado. The beaches of Coratei and San José-mí are also very popular.
In the San José-mí church, there is a statue of the Virgin Mary. It is special because it is stuffed with straw. This statue dates back to the Jesuit times.
In September, Ayolas celebrates the Arary Festival. It takes place at the Mil Viviendas Theatre. Many artists from Paraguay and Argentina perform there.
Sister Cities
Ayolas is connected with another city:
Diamante, Argentina
See also
In Spanish: Ayolas (Paraguay) para niños
