Pilar, Paraguay facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pilar
City
Clockwise from the top: The city view of Pilar, the Local government of Pilar, Cabildo of Pilar, Downtown Pilar and the Pilar umbrellas at the city center
Flag
Pilar, Paraguay Location in Paraguay
Country	Paraguay
Department	Ñeembucú
Foundation	October 12, 1779
Area
• Total	1,130 km2 (440 sq mi)
Population  (2019)
• Total	32,810
• Density	29.04/km2 (75.2/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC-04 (AST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-03 (ADT)
Postal code	2800
Area code(s)	+595 (786)

Pilar is a city in Paraguay. It is the capital of the Ñeembucú department. You can find it along the Paraguay River in the country's southwest. Pilar is about 258 kilometers (160 miles) from Asunción, the capital of Paraguay. It is an important center for business and government in this part of the country.

History of Pilar

Pilar was started by Pedro Melo de Portugal on October 12, 1779. Its first name was Villa del Ñeembucú. This name came from a nearby stream called Arroyo Ñeembucú. This stream flows into the Paraguay River.

Four years later, a Spanish priest named Marcial Antonio Uliambre changed the name. He renamed it Villa del Pilar. He chose this name after a famous church in his hometown. That church is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza, Spain.

People of Pilar

Pilar has a total population of 32,810 people. This includes 14,298 men and 15,030 women. These numbers come from the General Directorate of Statistics, Polls and Census.

Fun Things to Do in Pilar

The city center of Pilar has many old buildings. These buildings date back to when the city was founded.

• The Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar is a beautiful church. Italian missionaries built it. People celebrate its special day on October 12.

• During Semana Santa (Holy Week), Pilar hosts a big fishing contest. Many people come from all over Paraguay and northern Argentina to join or watch.

• Pilar is right on the Rio Paraguay. This makes it a great place for boating and fishing. You can find walking paths, picnic areas, and parks along the riverbanks.

• The calmer Arroyo Ñeembucú stream has a beach. Locals enjoy this beach on hot days in December.

• The Town Council Museum was built in 1817. It was made during the time of President Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia. This building is very well kept. It is the only one of its kind still standing in Paraguay. The museum shows many historical items. These include old photos, trophies, and medals. Some items belonged to Marshall López. You can also see parts of old church columns, weapons, and other historical artifacts.

• A very popular event is the "Fiesta Hawaiana" Party. It happens every January 2. This party is held by the Ñeembucú River. In recent years, 20,000 to 30,000 people have attended. They come from Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay.

Pilar is known as one of the safest and cleanest cities in all of Paraguay.

Getting Around Pilar

The ferryboat connecting Pilar to Formosa, Argentina–Paraguay border

Pilar has an airport called Carlos Miguel Jiménez Airport. However, only private planes use it.

The city is located right on the Argentina–Paraguay border. A ferry connects Pilar's harbor to Puerto Cano in Argentina. Puerto Cano is near Resistencia and Formosa.

There is a paved road, Route 4. It is 140 kilometers (87 miles) long and starts at San Ignacio.

Not long ago, there was no paved road to Asunción. The city would become almost cut off when it rained a lot. But now, there is the Villeta–Alberdi–Pilar Route. This road connects Pilar to the capital. Daily buses use this route to go to many other cities.

The main way to travel to other cities is by bus from the Central Terminal. Buses go to Asunción and its nearby towns like Luque, Ñemby, and San Lorenzo. They also go to Ciudad del Este, Villarrica, Pedro Juan Caballero, Encarnación, Santa Rita, Humaitá, Concepción, Mariscal Estigarribia, and Villa Hayes.

Inside Pilar, motorcycles and mopeds are very common. Bicycles are also used a lot. You might even see people riding horseback or in horse-drawn carts. Of course, people also walk or drive cars and trucks on the same streets.

Pilar's Climate

Pilar is near where the Paraguay and Paraná rivers meet. This area has many small streams, rivers, and wetlands. This makes the climate very humid.

The average temperature each year is 22°C (72°F). In summer, temperatures can reach 40°C (104°F). In winter, it can drop to -3°C (27°F). The rainiest months are January, March, April, and October. The drier months are May and August. This climate is known as a "Cfa" climate.

Images for kids

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  The Pilar Cathedral, Paraguay

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  Coastal Avenue, Pilar, Paraguay

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  Nuestra Señora del Pilar Cathedral, Pilar, Paraguay

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  Pilar, Paraguay

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  Interior of the Pilar Cathedral, Paraguay

Sister Cities

Pilar has special connections with other cities, called sister cities:

• Carmelo, Uruguay
• Reconquista, Argentina

See also

In Spanish: Pilar (Paraguay) para niños