San Antonio, Paraguay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
San Antonio
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City
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 San Antonio, Paraguay
Location in Paraguay
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| Country | Paraguay |
| Department | Central |
| Founded | 1903 |
| Elevation | 57 m (187 ft) |
| Population
(2016)
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| • Total | 62,663 |
| • Density | 15/km2 (40/sq mi) |
| Time zone | -4 Gmt |
| Postal code |
2650
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| Area code(s) | (595) (21) |
| Climate | Cfa |
San Antonio is a lively city located in Paraguay, a country in South America. It sits right on the banks of the Paraguay River. This city is known for its interesting history and its many industries. It's a place where many people live and work, and it has a special connection to the river.
Contents
The Story of San Antonio
The history of San Antonio is a bit of a mystery! Some historians believe the town was started by Dr. Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia. He was a leader who built a fort here to protect Paraguayan land. Others think the town began much earlier, around the year 1679.
In 1782, a group of Franciscan Missionaries created a town for local people. They used gifts from neighbors in Asuncion to help build it. Later, in 1890, a German citizen named Gustavo Conrado Gotees might have officially founded San Antonio.
San Antonio During the Paraguayan War
San Antonio played an important role in the Paraguayan War (1864–1870). Brazilian soldiers arrived at its ports during this time. They were on their way to a big battle called Ytororo in December 1868. After the war, San Antonio became almost empty.
A New Beginning for the City
In 1903, a Paraguayan citizen named Agustin Quiñónez moved to San Antonio. He worked hard to help the city grow again. This is often called the "second foundation" of the town. Soon, families from France, Italy, Germany, and Spain came to live here.
Exploring San Antonio's Geography
Where is San Antonio?
San Antonio is located right on the Paraguay River. You can find it at about 25 degrees south and 57 degrees west. It's only about 25 kilometers (about 15 miles) south of Paraguay's capital city, Asuncion.
The city shares its borders with other districts. To the north, you'll find Ñemby and Villa Elisa. To the south, it borders Ypane. To the east, it's next to Ñemby, and to the west, it meets the Paraguay River.
Neighborhoods of San Antonio
San Antonio has 17 different neighborhoods. These include San Francisco, Mbocayaty, Pueblo, San Blas, and many more. Each neighborhood helps make up the vibrant community of the city.
San Antonio's Climate
The Paraguay River has a big effect on the weather in San Antonio. It makes the nights and early mornings feel cool and fresh. However, the days can get very hot! In summer, temperatures are usually between 25 and 36 degrees Celsius (77 and 97 degrees Fahrenheit). In winter, they are cooler, ranging from 8 to 12 degrees Celsius (46 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit).
Plants and Trees in San Antonio
San Antonio is home to many beautiful trees. You can see the colorful tajy (also known as lapacho), trébol, pine, and eucalyptus trees. There are also cedar, laurel, and palm trees. The most important protected forest area is called Parque Ytororó.
People of San Antonio
A large part of San Antonio's population is young. More than half of the people living here are between 15 and 45 years old. This makes it a very energetic and growing city!
Industries and Businesses
San Antonio is a busy city with many different industries. Businesses here include tanning (preparing animal hides) and making alcohol. Several communication companies also operate in the city. They provide services like cell phone and radio communication.
International Products Corporation (IPC)
The very first big industry in San Antonio was the International Products Corporation (IPC). This company had a large slaughterhouse. It was the main employer for many people in San Antonio and nearby towns. IPC started on May 30, 1917. It processed cattle, pigs, and goats. They had modern equipment to prepare and refrigerate meat. In its first year, the company exported a huge amount of refrigerated meat! They even bought two special refrigerated ships, named the Paraguay and the Ytororo.
Life at IPC was unique. A siren would sound every day at 2 AM for about 20 minutes. This was to let workers know it was time to get ready for their 3 AM start! The company also had a special village for its 1,400 employees. It had a shared kitchen and laundry. There was even a fun center for social activities. In the 1960s, many famous soccer teams, like Cerro Porteño and Guaraní, played games there.
IPC closed in 1978. But years later, a businessman named Don Alberto Antebi bought it. Production started again on January 12, 1981, with new, modern equipment. Today, Israel is one of its main customers.
Ports of San Antonio
In 1926, the first port in San Antonio was opened. It was used to export fruit. This port was called Puerto Naranja, which means "Orange Port." It got its name because there was a huge orange farm nearby. Most of the fruit exported through this port came from that farm.
Between 1960 and 1965, another port called Puerto Minera was used. It shipped stones from Cerro Ñemby. These stones were used to pave the streets of Puerto Pilcomayo.
Fishing in the Paraguay River
Since San Antonio is right on the Paraguay River, fishing is a very important activity here. The river is full of many different kinds of fish! You can find fish like dorado, pacu, tres puntos, corvina, piraña, and surubí.
Sports and Community Groups
San Antonio has many sports clubs that are part of the Regional League of Paraguay. Some of these clubs include Club Porvenir, Club Ytororó, and Club Coronel Romero.
The city also has a volunteer Fire Squad. The first volunteers joined on December 14, 2002. The Boy Scouts also have a facility here that opened in 1999. The local police, Precinct 24, are in charge of keeping everyone safe.
Ways to Communicate
San Antonio has two community radio stations: Radio San Pablo FM and Radio San Antonio FM. The city also has a post office and telecommunication services.
Festivals and Celebrations
The main celebration in San Antonio happens in June. It's a very colorful event because it takes place right on the beach of the Paraguay River! The streets are decorated with many flowers, bright balloons, and other ornaments. In the morning, there's a special church service. Then, there's a "Nautical Procession." This is where decorated canoes and other boats carry the image of San Antonio, the city's patron saint, on the river.
There's also an annual Expo San Antonio. This event showcases the amazing crafts made by the people who live here. It also features products from different companies. The exposition gives students a chance to show off projects they've made in school. These projects cover many areas, like science, chemistry, mechanics, electricity, carpentry, and metalwork.
See also
In Spanish: San Antonio (Paraguay) para niños
