Minga Guazú facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Minga Guazú
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City and district
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| Country | Paraguay |
| Department | Alto Paraná |
| Foundation | May 14, 1958 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 548 km2 (212 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 241 m (791 ft) |
| Population
(2008)
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| • Total | 60,719 |
| • Density | 110.8/km2 (287/sq mi) |
| Time zone | -4 Gmt |
| Postal code |
7420
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| Area code(s) | (595) (644) |
| Climate | Cfa |
Minga Guazú is a lively city and district in the Alto Paraná Department of Paraguay. It's part of a larger area called Gran Ciudad del Este. This city used to have a different name, Colonia Presidente Stroessner. But its name was changed after a big political shift. Minga Guazú was founded in 1958. It is located in the Alto Paraná Department, about 20 kilometers west of Ciudad del Este, the capital of the department. The Guaraní International Airport, a major airport, is also located in this city.
Contents
What Does Minga Guazú Mean?
The name "Minga Guazú" is quite special! It comes from two different languages. "Minga" is a word from the Quechua language, which means "cooperative work for improvement." Think of it as people working together to make things better. "Guasu" (sometimes spelled "guazú") is a word from the Guaraní language, meaning "big." So, when you put them together, "Minga Guazú" means something like Big Work in Community. It really shows how the city grew from people working together!
How Minga Guazú Started
Minga Guazú was founded and grew thanks to the hard work of the Salesians of Don Bosco. This group was led by a priest named Guido Coronel, who is known as the founder of the town. In the mid-1960s, Father Coronel decided to build a city about 20 kilometers away from the border with Brazil. The main part of the city is actually located 16 kilometers away, but the area at 20 kilometers is also very important and has a large population.
Weather in Minga Guazú
The weather in Minga Guazú is generally warm. The average temperature throughout the year is about 21 °C (70 °F). It can get quite hot, reaching up to 38 °C (100 °F) on the hottest days. In winter, it can get chilly, with temperatures sometimes dropping to 0 °C (32 °F). The Alto Paraná region, where Minga Guazú is located, gets the most rainfall in Paraguay each year.
People of Minga Guazú
In 2008, Minga Guazú had a population of 60,719 people. Out of these, about 31,358 were males and 29,361 were females. These numbers come from official estimates by the Directorate General of Statistics, Census and Surveys.
Minga Guazú's Economy
The economy of Minga Guazú is largely based on a special type of organization called a Cooperative. This Cooperative includes many of the city's residents. It has grown into a large farming and industrial center.
The main product grown here is soybeans. But farmers also grow other important crops like maize (corn), cassava, cotton, wheat, mate (a popular drink), and sugarcane. They also raise poultry and grow vegetables and beans.
Minga Guazú is also home to the biggest oil industry in Paraguay. This is a large international company called "Cargill."
Things to See and Do in Minga Guazú
Minga Guazú offers several interesting places and activities for visitors.
Guaraní International Airport
The Guaraní International Airport is located right in Minga Guazú. It's considered one of the most modern airports in South America. It's only about 4 kilometers from Route VII, a major highway, and 30 kilometers from Ciudad del Este.
Local Celebrations
- The Minga Guazú Expo is a big event held every year in September. It's a great way to see what the city has to offer.
- The city celebrates its Patronal Party on May 24. This day honors Mary Help of Christians, the patron saint.
- July 6 is a special day called the "Day of Minguero." It celebrates the people of Minga Guazú.
City Centers and Education
Minga Guazú has two main urban centers, one at Km 20 and another at Km 16.
- At Km 20, a school and a church dedicated to "Maria Auxiliadora" (Mary Help of Christians) were built in 1966. Later, the Cooperative Minga Guazú was started here. This helped the people of the village have better lives and working conditions.
- At Km 16, you'll find important public buildings and the Don Bosco College.
Nature and Recreation
The area around Minga Guazú has beautiful rivers like the Monday and Acaray. There are also smaller streams like Acaray-mi and Santa Maria.
A very popular place for tourists is the Paradise Golf Club. It's located about 24 kilometers from Ciudad del Este, along Route VII.
- You can stay in bungalows by the lake.
- Enjoy activities like horseback riding, archery, and aerobics.
- The lake is great for sport fishing, especially for fish like tilapia.
- The Club's restaurant offers delicious international food by a lovely pool and natural scenery.
- Kids have their own area with games and activities.
- There are fields for soccer, beach volleyball, soccer 5, tennis, and table tennis.
- The golf course is the main attraction. Its 18 holes are beautifully designed with nature, hills, lakes, waterfalls, and jungle.
Getting to Minga Guazú
It's easy to get to Minga Guazú!
- The city has good access to Route VII, a major highway.
- It also has a good connection to Encarnacion via Route VI.
- The Guaraní International Airport, located on the west side of the district, offers regular flights to Asunción (Paraguay's capital) and São Paulo in Brazil. You can also connect to other flights from here.
Special Features of Minga Guazú
Minga Guazú is known for several important things:
- It's called the "Industrial Capital" of Paraguay. It hosts the largest Cooperative Association in Latin America. It also has the biggest part of Paraguay's oil industry, with a large factory of the international company Cargill.
- The district is home to the Guaraní International Airport. This is the second biggest airport in the country, after the Silvio Pettirossi International Airport near Asunción.
- The Germanic Association of Alto Paraná has its main office in Minga Guazú. This is likely because many German immigrants who work in farming live in the area.
- The government of Taiwan has invested in the city, helping to set up the Parque Industrial Oriente (Eastern Industrial Park).
See also
In Spanish: Minga Guazú para niños
