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Itatí, Corrientes facts for kids

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Itatí
Itatí basilica
Itatí basilica
Itatí is located in Argentina
Itatí
Itatí
Location in Argentina
Country  Argentina
Province  Corrientes
Department Itatí
Population
 • Total 7,902
Time zone UTC−3 (ART)
CPA base
W3414
Dialing code +54 3783

Itatí is a small but famous town in the province of Corrientes, Argentina. It is located in the northern part of the province. The town sits right by the Paraná River, which is a large river that also forms the border with Paraguay. About 7,902 people live in Itatí.

History of Itatí

Playa Itatí
View of the Paraná River from the bank at Itatí.

The town of Itatí has a long and interesting history. It first began as an indigenous settlement. These settlements were called "reductions." A Franciscan friar named Luis de Bolaños established this reduction on December 7, 1615. He gave it the name Pura y Limpia Concepción de Nuestra Señora de Itatí.

Later, on September 15, 1825, General Pedro Ferré officially founded Itatí as a proper town. This marked an important step in its development.

Why Itatí is Famous

Even though Itatí is a small town, it is very well-known across Argentina. This is because many people show great devotion to the local image of the Virgin Mary. The main place for this devotion is the beautiful basilica in Itatí.

The basilica was built in 1950. Inside, it holds a wooden image of the Virgin of Itatí. Many people believe this image can perform miracles. Every year, on July 16, thousands of pilgrims visit Itatí. They come from nearby areas, far-off regions, and even from neighboring countries. They come to honor and pray to the Virgin.

Meaning of the Name Itatí

The name Itatí comes from the Guaraní language. However, people disagree on its exact meaning. The first part, ita-, definitely means "stone" in Guaraní. You can see this word in other place names, like Itaipu.

The last part of the name is a bit trickier. It could mean (moro)ti, which means "white." Or, it might refer to , which means "nose." So, the name could mean "white stone" or "stone nose."

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Itatí (Argentina) para niños

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