Santa Rosa, Paraguay facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Santa Rosa de Lima
City & District
Santa Rosa de Lima image in the Jesuit Church.
Flag
Santa Rosa, Paraguay Location in Paraguay
Country	Paraguay
Department	Misiones
Foundation	1698 by Father Ranzonier
Area
• Total	1.010 km2 (0.390 sq mi)
Elevation	142 m (466 ft)
Population  (2008)
• Total	20,306
• Density	17.4/km2 (45/sq mi)
Time zone	-4 GMT
Postal code	4890
Area code(s)	(595) (858)

Santa Rosa is a city and district in the Misiones department of Paraguay. It's known for its strong connection to the Jesuit history. This city is one of the most important places linked to the Jesuits in the region.

Exploring Santa Rosa's Location

Santa Rosa is located on a hill. It is about 257 kilometers (160 miles) south of Asunción, the capital city of Paraguay. You can find it along Route I, also known as "Mariscal Francisco Solano Lopez."

Understanding Santa Rosa's Weather

The weather in Santa Rosa can vary a lot. In summer, the temperature can reach up to 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit). During winter, the lowest temperatures are usually around 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit). The average temperature throughout the year is about 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit).

Who Lives in Santa Rosa?

According to official numbers from 2008, Santa Rosa has a population of 20,306 people. Out of these, 10,582 are men and 9,723 are women.

Santa Rosa's Past: A Brief History

The city of Santa Rosa was founded a long time ago in 1698. It was started by a Jesuit priest named Ranzonier. Families from the nearby city of Santa Maria de Fe came to live here.

Today, Santa Rosa is home to one of the most important Jesuit Reductions in Paraguay. These reductions were special communities built by Jesuit missionaries. They are now popular places for tourists to visit.

The first church in Santa Rosa was unfortunately burned down in 1883. Only its original bell was saved. This old bell is still used today in the new church built on the same spot.

What Drives Santa Rosa's Economy?

Santa Rosa is mainly an agricultural area. This means that farming is a very important part of its economy. The region also has many large ranches where cattle are raised.

Discovering Santa Rosa: Top Tourist Spots

Santa Rosa offers many interesting places to visit, especially if you love history:

• Our Lady of Loreto Chapel: This chapel was built during the time of the Jesuit missions. It still has many features from the colonial era, showing how things looked long ago.
• Church of Santa Rosa de Lima: This church is dedicated to Santa Rosa de Lima, who was the first saint from the Americas. Its decorations and style remind visitors of the Jesuit period.
• Museums: You can visit the Santa Rosa Jesuit Museum and the Museum of Loreto Chapel. These museums help you learn more about the Jesuit history of the area.
• The Bell Tower: Next to the main square, there's a tall bell tower, about 20 meters (66 feet) high. It's made of red stone and is one of the most important buildings from the Jesuit times.
• The House of Indians: This building shows what life was like during the Jesuit period. Some old houses have been turned into shops, but they still keep their original colonial look.
• Plaza Mariscal Estigarribia: In the center of this plaza, you'll find a fountain with historical monuments. It's surrounded by stone figures, including a special one of Kurupí, a character from local mythology created by the artist Koki Ruiz.
• "Itá Balanze": This is a large, wobbly stone block located on the side of a hill. It's a natural monument that seems to balance perfectly.
• Pombero Pyporé: This is a stone that stands upright in a surprising way. It has a clear footprint on it, which people say belongs to the mythical creature "Pombero".
• Sangurí Stream: During the summer, this stream is a very popular spot for people to visit and enjoy.

Cattle grazing in a field.

See also

In Spanish: Santa Rosa de Lima (Paraguay) para niños