Presidente Franco District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Presidente Dr. Manuel Franco
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District and city
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A tripoint pillar marking Paraguay, in Presidente Franco.
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 Presidente Franco District
Location in Paraguay
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| Country | Paraguay | ||
| Department | Alto Paraná | ||
| Foundation | October 13, 1929 by Vicente Matiauda | ||
| Elevation | 184 m (604 ft) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 104 677 | ||
| Time zone | -4 Gmt | ||
| Postal code |
7700
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| Area code(s) | +595 (61) | ||
| Climate | Cfa | ||
| Website | http://www.munifranco.gov.py/ | ||
Presidente Franco, often called just Franco, is a city and district in Paraguay. It is located in the Alto Paraná Department. This city is the oldest in its department. It is known for exporting many fruits and vegetables. Presidente Franco is also famous for Saltos del Monday, a large and beautiful waterfall in Eastern Paraguay.
This city is a border port, meaning it's a place where goods and people can cross into other countries. It sits along the Paraná River in the eastern part of Paraguay.
Contents
Why is it called Presidente Franco?
Presidente Franco is known as the "City of the Three Borders." This is because it's where Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina meet. It's also where the Paraná River and Monday River join. The city is named after Manuel Franco, who was the president of Paraguay in 1918.
Geography and Nature
The city is located in the eastern part of Paraguay. It sits right next to the Paraná River. The Paraná River is one of the biggest rivers in the world. It creates many beautiful views around Presidente Franco.
Many streams and the important Monday River flow into the Paraná River here. The Monday River forms stunning waterfalls before it joins the Paraná. These waterfalls are powerful and impressive.
Forests and Wildlife
The area used to be covered by the Atlantic Forest. Large parts of this forest are now protected. One such area is the Monument Scientific Moses Bertoni. This place has many plants and animals native to the region.
You can visit the park to see different animals and birds. It's also a great place to enjoy nature. Four Guarani communities live near the park. About 40 Guarani families sell their crafts at the Bertoni museum.
Weather in Presidente Franco
The average temperature in Presidente Franco is about 21 °C (70 °F). Temperatures can reach up to 38 °C (100 °F) and sometimes drop to 0 °C (32 °F). The Alto Paraná region gets the most rainfall in Paraguay each year.
People of Presidente Franco
Presidente Franco has about 104,677 people living there as of 2020. The nearby city of Ciudad del Este has grown so much that its borders blend with Presidente Franco. Because of this, the two cities are connected in many ways. This includes their economy, schools, and healthcare.
Many people who live in Presidente Franco work in Ciudad del Este. This makes Presidente Franco a "dormitory town." It means people live there but travel to another city for work.
History of the City
The city was founded in 1929 by Don Vicente Matiauda. It was built near what is now Ciudad del Este. Presidente Franco became an important port for shipping timber and mate (a traditional drink).
In 1974, it became a third-category municipality. By 1979, it was a first-class municipality. Over time, the city grew a lot. It became a main center for other river ports nearby. Presidente Franco was a key trading hub. It was close to the river port of Encarnación.
Presidente Franco is sometimes called the "mother of cities" in its department. This is because it was the first city to be founded there. Within the city's area, you can find two major attractions. These are the Monument Scientific Moises Bertoni and the beautiful Saltos del Monday waterfalls.
Economy and Industry
Presidente Franco has many trees, so several sawmills operate in the area. Growing soybeans is also a very important part of the economy. The city also has factories that produce dairy products and process palm oil.
Fun Things to Do in Presidente Franco
Presidente Franco is rich in nature and wildlife. Here are some exciting places to visit:
- Saltos del Monday: This is a stunning natural landmark. It's a waterfall that was once a stop on an ancient Guarani route. The falls are over 40 meters (130 feet) high. They have three main waterfalls and several smaller steps. You can see them near where the Monday River flows into the Paraná River. It's amazing to watch the white foam and mist from the water hitting the rocks. You can view the falls from special walkways and viewpoints in a beautiful park. This park is great for picnics, hikes, and camping. It has unique plants and animals from the region. The rocky cliffs are perfect for climbing and rappelling. You can also hike trails along the river after the waterfalls. The nearby beaches are popular in summer.
- Paraná River Viewpoint: At the mouth of the Iguazu River, there's a viewpoint. From here, you can see the border markers of Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. You can even take a raft across the river to Argentina.
- Museum Moisés Bertoni: This is a special place that shows the research of Moisés Santiago Bertoni. He studied the rich plants of Paraguay. The museum has been recently fixed up. This protected area is 199 hectares (about 490 acres). You can see Bertoni's work in botany (plants), zoology (animals), and other sciences. It's located on the banks of the Paraná River. It protects a small part of the Atlantic forests. There are also small streams and waterfalls. Bertoni introduced about 60% of the plant species found here. The Mbya indigenous group lives north of this region.
- Milestone of the Tres Fronteras: This landmark is about 3 kilometers (2 miles) from the city center. It's the exact spot where the Paraná and Iguaçu rivers meet. It's also where the three countries – Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina – come together.
The city also celebrates the Festival of Integration and Brotherhood in the Tres Fronteras in March.
How to Get There
If you are coming from Asunción, the capital of Paraguay, it's about 341 km (212 miles) away. You can take National Route 2. If you are coming from Encarnación, take National Route 6. Presidente Franco is about 7 km (4 miles) south of Ciudad del Este. There is also an unpaved road from the south to Los Cedrales.
Sister Cities
Presidente Franco has "sister city" relationships with:
Puerto Iguazú, Argentina
Acquarossa, Switzerland
Images for kids
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A tripoint pillar marking Paraguay, in Presidente Franco.
See also
In Spanish: Presidente Franco para niños
