Borja, Paraguay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Borja
Yhacanguazu
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Borja Church
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 Borja, Paraguay
Location in Paraguay
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| Country | Paraguay |
| Department | Guairá |
| Population
(2022)
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| • Total | 10 596 |
Borja is a small town in Paraguay, located in the Guairá Department. It's about 25 kilometers (15 miles) south of Villarrica. It is also 212 kilometers (132 miles) southeast of Asuncion, the capital city.
This town is known for its two beautiful waterfalls. These are called Salto Cristal and Salto Tupasy Ykua. They are popular places for visitors to enjoy nature.
Borja was founded on October 22, 1778. Its first name was Yhacanguazu. This name comes from the Guarani language and means "large water spring." In 1929, the town's name was changed to Borja. This was done to honor Mateo Borja, who used to live there. The main jobs in Borja involve growing sugarcane. People also raise animals for their own food.
During the time when Spain ruled Paraguay (from 1535 to 1811), this area was part of important travel routes. These routes were known as the Royal Roads (Caminos reales). Spanish officials used these roads to visit towns like Caazapa, Yuty, and Itape.
In 1851, there were four schools in Borja. During the Paraguayan War, many women in the town helped their country. They gave their jewelry to help pay for the war. After the war, in 1873, there were six schools. These schools taught 350 children. Sadly, 341 of these children were orphans because of the war.
According to the 2022 Census, Borja has a total population of 10,256 people. Most people live in the countryside. Only a small part, about 3.2%, live in the town area itself. That's about 298 people.
Where is Borja Located?
Borja is in the southwestern part of the Guairá department. The town area is very close to the town of San Salvador, only 2 kilometers away.
If you want to visit Borja from Asunción, you would first take National Route 2. You follow this road until you reach the city of Coronel Oviedo. From there, you take Route 8 to Villarrica, which is the capital of the department. After Villarrica, you travel about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) south. Then, you turn onto a dirt road and drive for another 18 kilometers (11 miles) to reach Borja.
Famous People from Borja
- Andrés Rodríguez: He was the President of Paraguay from 1989 to 1993.
See Also
In Spanish: Borja (Paraguay) para niños
