Neuland Colony facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Neuland Nielaunt, Newland
Neuland Colony Location in Paraguay
Country	Paraguay
Department	Boquerón
Foundation	April 26, 1947
Area
• Total	36,367 km2 (14,041 sq mi)
Elevation	122 m (400 ft)
Population  (2008)
• Total	3,400
Time zone	UTC-04 (AST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-03 (ADT)
Postal code	9100

Neuland Colony (which means "New Land" in German) is a special community in Paraguay. It was founded by Mennonites, a group of people who follow a certain Christian faith. Many of these Mennonites spoke a language called Plautdietsch.

After World War II, thousands of Mennonites from the Soviet Union needed a new home. The Mennonite Central Committee bought land in Paraguay in 1947. This land became Neuland, a safe place for these refugees. In 2008, about 3,400 people lived there.

Neuland is located in the Boquerón Department. It's close to Filadelfia, the capital city of Boquerón. The area is part of a large region called the Gran Chaco. Neuland has a museum about its history and a monument to the Chaco War.

The community also has its own newspaper, Neuland – Informiert und Diskutiert. It's one of several German-language newspapers in Paraguay.

What's in a Name?

The name "Neuland" means "New Land" in German. This name shows that it was a fresh start for the settlers. It is the newest of the Mennonite colonies in Paraguay.

Weather and Climate

Neuland has a tropical climate. Summers are very hot, reaching up to 45°C (113°F). Winters are cooler, with temperatures around 9°C (48°F). The average temperature is 25°C (77°F). The region often has long dry spells. These dry periods are sometimes followed by very heavy rains.

Land and Geography

The land in Neuland is mostly flat. It is usually less than 300 meters (980 feet) above sea level. There are some gently rolling hills. These areas have rich soil, which is great for farming and raising animals.

Neuland is located in the Gran Chaco region. It is near Filadelfia, the main city of the Boquerón Department. It's also not far from the Presidente Hayes Department.

History and Fun Things to Do

Neuland has a museum that tells the story of how the colony was settled. There is also a monument that remembers the Chaco War (1932–1935). This war was an important event in Paraguay's history.

Every month, the newspaper Neuland informiert und diskutiert is published. It's one of several German newspapers in the country. In May, Neuland hosts a special event called the Rodeo Neuland.

The Professional School Neuland gets help from Germany. Many skilled workers are trained here. They then use their knowledge to help the region grow.

Fort Boquerón is part of the Neuland district. This was the site of a very important battle during the Chaco War in 1932. A statue by Hermann Guggiari stands there. Visitors can also see displays about the first settlers of Neuland and their hard work.

The Cooperative Neuland has a team that creates special tours. These tours teach visitors about the different cultures in the area. They also show historical battle sites from the Chaco War. You can explore nature reserves and see the plants and animals of the region. Some tours even let you stay with local families.

The Chaco area is very delicate. So, large groups of tourists are not encouraged. Instead, ecotourism is promoted. This means visiting in a way that protects nature and teaches people about it.

Amistad Park is a special place. It is kept just like the Chaco was 60 years ago. This helps people see how the land used to be. The Cooperative Neuland is working to make the area even better for visitors. They want to improve things like roads and places to stay.

Getting Around

You can reach Neuland by taking a detour from Route PY09. This road is also known as Ruta Transchaco. You turn off at a place called Cruce Pioneros, which is at kilometer 413. From there, the road to Neuland is in very good condition.

Learning and Culture

People in Neuland really value culture and education. Music and singing are very important art forms here. There is a talented Youth Symphony Orchestra. Its musicians are taught by international artists. In 1993, a music education center was started. It helps train new musicians. It also organizes practices and concerts, including classical music and folk songs from different cultures.

The Joy Choir is a special group. It includes people facing health challenges, those new to the community, and seniors. Singing in the choir helps them feel better and have fun. The choir also visits hospitals to cheer up patients. Doctors at Hospital Neuland suggested starting the choir.

Education is also a top priority in Neuland. The first settlers cared about education even before they built their homes. Sometimes, classes were held under the shade of trees! They believed that education was the best investment they could make.

Today, schools in Neuland have modern classrooms. They also have labs and workshops for hands-on learning. Education is required until ninth grade. Students from different villages and the town center ride a school bus. The Cooperative manages this bus service.

For university education, the Cooperative offers scholarships. These help students study in Asunción or other countries. After finishing their studies, these students are expected to come back. They then use their knowledge to help their community grow.

Training for different jobs is also a big focus. There are special schools that prepare people for many professions. These include farming, dairy farming, carpentry, and mechanics. You can also learn to be a secretary or an accountant. There are even programs to train future teachers for primary schools across the country.

Economy and Work

Neuland has faced many challenges, but it has become a successful community. It is an important farming area. Farmers grow crops like peanuts, cotton, sorghum, and sesame. Neuland is also a major region for raising animals. They raise cattle for both meat and dairy products.

Images for kids

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  Main street, Neuland

See also

In Spanish: Boquerón (municipio de Paraguay) para niños