Mercedes, Corrientes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mercedes
City
Flag
Mercedes Location in Argentina
Country	Argentina
Province	Corrientes
Department	Mercedes
Population  (2010 census)
• Total	33,551
Demonym(s)	mercedeño
Time zone	UTC−3 (ART)
CPA base	W3470
Dialing code	+54 3773

Mercedes (pronounced "mer-SEH-des") is a lively city in the middle of the Corrientes Province in Argentina. It's a major town and the main city of the Mercedes Department. In 2010, about 40,667 people lived here.

Mercedes is located about 275 kilometers (171 miles) from Corrientes, the capital city of the province. It's also about 739 kilometers (459 miles) from Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital. The city was founded a long time ago, in 1829.

Mercedes is home to several schools for different age groups. These include Escuela Normal Manuel Florencio Mantilla, Colegio San Carlos, and Escuela Agrotécnica Eulogio Cruz Cabral. There are also schools like Escuela Comercial Nocturna Ejército Argentino and Instituto Popular de Mercedes Manuel López Rodríguez.

Geography of Mercedes

Mercedes is right in the center of the Corrientes province in Argentina. It's the main city for the Mercedes Department. The city is about 275 km (171 miles) from the provincial capital, Corrientes. It's also 739 km (459 miles) from Buenos Aires.

The city's exact location is 29°10′S latitude and 58°04′W longitude. This area is mostly flat or has gentle rolling hills.

Economy and Local Life

Mercedes is a very important place for raising livestock, like cows. The city often hosts big shows and fairs for livestock. These events are a great way to see the best animals from the region.

Mercedes is known as the top department in the province for livestock. It also hosts the second-largest Rural Exhibition in Argentina, after the one in Palermo, Buenos Aires. A lot of land around Mercedes is used for growing rice. There are important rice mills here that process rice for both Argentina and other countries.

The city also has interesting museums to visit. You can explore the Historical and Fine Arts Museum. There's also a Natural History Museum with over 1,000 different animal samples. About 10 km (6 miles) from the city, you can find a special place called a sanctuary. It honors the Gauchito Gil, a popular folk hero and religious figure in the area.

City Layout and Design

The city of Mercedes is designed around a central plaza, which is like a main square. Important buildings are located around this plaza. These include the Church of Our Lady of Mercy, different schools, and city government buildings. This layout is typical of many old colonial towns and helps show the city's history and culture.

What's in a Name?

The city of Mercedes got its name in 1835. It was named after "Our Lady of Mercy" (Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes), who became its patron saint. Before 1835, the area was called Paiubre. People still sometimes lovingly call Mercedes "Paiubre."

The name Paiubre means "the one who eats the most from the entrails." When talking about the Corrientes River, this means "the one that feeds the most from its own waters." This name came from the Caracarás Guaraníes, who were the first people to live here. They gathered in a place called Rincón de Aguaí, which was watered by a stream they called Paiubre. This stream was one of many parts of the large Corrientes River.

History of Mercedes

In 1825, some local residents asked for permission to start a town near the Paiubre stream. This first request didn't work out. But they tried again in 1829. On August 19, the government of the province ordered that a spot be chosen for the new town.

The land where Mercedes was founded was 100 hectares (about 247 acres). It was given by José María Gómez. The town was officially named Mercedes when its church was blessed on July 23, 1835. This is when Our Lady of Mercy became its patroness.

The city was officially created in 1832 by Governor Pedro Ferré. He ordered the building of its chapel. Even though 1832 is seen as the founding year, there's no exact date. So, the city celebrates its anniversary on July 5. This date remembers José María Gómez, who donated the land. On July 5, 1832, he brought an image of the Virgin Mary. It was then placed in the Paiubre Chapel.

In 1835, Governor Atienza officially renamed the city Mercedes. Later, in 1864, it was called a village. Finally, in 1888, it officially became a city.

Explore Mercedes: Tourism

Mercedes, Corrientes, is surrounded by many exciting places to visit. These spots show off the region's natural beauty and rich culture.

Landmarks and Nature

• The Tower of Guayaibi: This amazing landmark is made of solid stone with a basalt core. It has wooden parts and a huge collection of books. It feels like stepping back in time to when people lived closer to nature.
• La Piedra Ita Pucú: This is a very large stone formation. It has many local legends and folk stories connected to it. It's a great place to learn about the area's geology and cultural meaning.
• Iberá Wetlands: Mercedes is close to the famous Iberá Wetlands. This is one of Argentina's most important natural areas. It's perfect for people who love wildlife and nature. You can take guided tours, go on wildlife safaris, or take boat trips. You might see capybaras, caimans, marsh deer, and many kinds of birds.
• Rincón del Socorro: This used to be a cattle ranch. Now, it's a nature reserve that helps protect and restore the Iberá ecosystem. Visitors can enjoy eco-tourism activities here. These include birdwatching, horseback riding, and guided nature walks. You can also stay in comfortable places and enjoy the peaceful beauty of the wetlands. You'll also learn about the efforts to protect this special place.

These attractions make Mercedes a great place to visit for both adventure and peace in the heart of Corrientes.

Climate and Weather

Mercedes has a subtropical climate. This means it's generally warm and doesn't have a dry season. The lowest temperature ever recorded was on July 29, 2021, when it dropped to −2 degrees Celsius (28.4 °F).

Sports in Mercedes

Mercedes is home to a professional basketball team called Club Comunicaciones (Mercedes). They play their games at their home stadium, the Estadio Cubierto Club Comunicaciones.

Media and Communication

Mercedes, Corrientes, has a busy media and communication scene. Many important journalists and media people work here. For example, Minina and Meda, who runs a popular radio station, are well-known.

José Barnetche Memola is a digital marketing agency. They help local businesses use digital tools. The Flower Group and Walter Chavez are big names in the streaming world, with their own new platforms.

TuMercedes, run by Cubilla, is a major media company that reaches many people. Other important news websites include Diario Mercedes, Mi Mercedes, Aqui Mercedes, Aguijón Digital, Impacto Mercedes, Stylo, Siempre Activa, and Mercedes Total. These sites provide news and connect with the community.

The city also has a strong network of radio stations. These include Radio del Iberá, Libertad FM, Radio Chart, Mercedes Total, Planeta FM 104.5 MHz, and FM Impacto. They offer many different shows for all kinds of listeners. Mercedes' active media world offers great chances for people who want to invest in Argentina's growing media market.

See also

In Spanish: Mercedes (Corrientes) para niños