Helvecia facts for kids
Helvecia is a town in the Santa Fe province of Argentina. It is located in the center-east part of the province, right next to the San Javier River. This river soon flows into the much larger Paraná River.
In 2001, about 8,500 people lived in Helvecia. It is the main town, or "head town," of the Garay Department.
Where is Helvecia?
Helvecia is about 94 kilometers (58 miles) north-northeast of Santa Fe, the capital city of the province. You can reach Helvecia by using Provincial Route 1 and National Route 11.
The town is also very close to an important historical site. It is only 15 kilometers (9 miles) away from the ruins of Cayastá, which used to be the old capital of the province.
How Helvecia Started
Helvecia was founded in 1865 by a person named Dr. Teófilo Romang. He made a deal with the government of Santa Fe province. He received 50 square kilometers (about 19 square miles) of land for free. In return, he promised to start a farming community with 125 families who were immigrants.
Dr. Romang first arrived on January 1, 1865, with 12 people from Switzerland. They came to check out the land and plan the new settlement. Helvecia officially became a "comuna," which is a type of local government, on July 14, 1886.
Fishing and Festivals
Helvecia is a great place for fishing, especially for a type of fish called "amarillo." This fish is also known as the Banded Pimelodid.
Every July, Helvecia hosts a special event called the National and Provincial Amarillo Fishing Festival. This festival includes fun fishing contests where people try to catch the biggest amarillo. There are also many folkloric celebrations, which means traditional music, dances, and other cultural activities.
See also
In Spanish: Helvecia para niños
