Ypané facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ypané
City
Ypané Location in Paraguay
Country	Paraguay
Department	Central
Foundation	March 23, 1538
Area
• Total	52.7 km2 (20.3 sq mi)
Elevation	70 m (230 ft)
Population  (2008)
• Total	34.943 hab.
• Density	743.50/km2 (1,925.7/sq mi)
Time zone	-4 Gmt
Postal code	2660
Area code(s)	(595) (275)
Climate	Cfa

Ypané is a lively city in the Central Department of Paraguay. It's located about 27 kilometers (17 miles) from the capital city, Asunción. You can reach Ypané easily by using Routes 1 and 2. This historic city was first founded on March 23, 1538, by a Spanish governor named Domingo Martínez de Irala. Today, Ypané is known for its busy trade and industries.

The Name of Ypané

The first people who lived here called their home Pitum. This is a Guarani word that means 'medicinal water'.

The name Ypané comes from one of the three streams that flow into the Paraguay River. These streams are Ypané, Potrerito, and Ytororó. The name Ypané itself is made of three parts:

• 'Y' means water.
• 'Pa' means water running and flowing into a river.
• 'Ne' describes the smell of dry streams during times of drought.

A Look at Ypané's History

In its early years, Ypané was mostly a farming town. People grew crops and later started hunting, fishing, and growing rice. Today, it's often called a "Garden City" because of its green spaces.

Ypané was first set up as a Franciscan settlement in 1538. It was officially founded on March 23 of that year by the Spanish Governor Domingo Martínez de Irala. The city was founded again on May 6, 1862, when the Franciscans returned to Paraguay.

In 1911, the people of Ypané moved from their original spot to where the Villa Real is today.

The city's flag has two main colors:

• Green, which stands for hope.
• Yellow, which represents the sun's light and a new beginning.

These colors show how Ypané has grown from an old historic city into a beautiful garden city.

Who Lives in Ypané?

Ypané has 34,943 people living there. Out of these, 17,696 are male and 17,247 are female. The population grows by about 3.61% each year. This information comes from the General Directorate of Statistics, Surveys, and Censuses. About 34% of the people live in the city, while the rest live in the countryside.

Ypané's Geography and Climate

The district of Ypané covers an area of 5,220 hectares (about 52.2 square kilometers). This means there are about 3.5 people living per hectare.

City Areas

Ypané is divided into several neighborhoods, including:

• Lomas Verdes
• 6 de Junio
• Ytororó
• Colonia Thompson

Weather in Ypané

Ypané has a tropical climate. This means the weather changes with the seasons, depending on whether tropical or polar air is stronger.

The hottest temperatures happen in summer, reaching up to 39 °C (102 °F) or even higher. In winter, the lowest temperature can be around 1 °C (34 °F). The average temperature throughout the year is 22 °C (72 °F).

Ypané gets about 1433 mm (56 inches) of rain each year. Most of the rain falls between January and April. The driest months are from June to August.

What Ypané Makes and Sells

The main activities in Ypané are trade and industry. Farming is also important, especially growing rice, vegetables, and fruits.

The city is also known for its textile industry. People make beautiful fabrics from cotton, like hammocks, handbags, and quilts. Some residents also create ñandutí, which is a traditional Paraguayan lace.

Fun Places to Visit in Ypané

Ypané has some interesting places to explore:

• San Pedro Apóstol Church: This old church was built by the local people under the guidance of Franciscan Fathers during the time of colonization. It's right in the center of the city. The church's main altar is considered a national treasure. The patron saint of Ypané is San Pedro Apóstol (Saint Peter the Apostle). People celebrate him with various activities every year on June 29.

• Monument to the Saint of Love: You can find a special monument to Saint Valentine inside an old tree in the ancient Square of St. Peter the Apostle. This monument is in the middle of a large heart shape drawn on the ground. People in Ypané say that if you make a wish to the saint and then walk around the heart, your wish will be blessed by Saint Valentine.

• War Monuments: During the Paraguayan War (a big war fought by Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay against Paraguay), two important battles happened near Ypané.
  • The Battle of Ytororó was fought on December 6, 1868. Today, there's a monument there to honor the Paraguayan heroes.
  • The Battle of Avay (meaning 'indigenous water') also took place nearby. Here, you can see a statue of the Paraguayan Marshal Francisco Solano López.

• Centro de Atracción Turístico Municipal: In San Pedro Apóstol's Square, there's a fountain with this name. It shows the history and importance of Ypané. You can see how the three streams flow to the Paraguay River from here.

• Yvera Lagoon: Not far from Ypané, near Nueva Italia, you can visit the large Yvera lagoon. This wetland is full of life and a great place to see nature.

Even with these attractions, Ypané doesn't have many hotels, restaurants, or big shopping centers for tourists yet.

Famous People from Ypané

• Reinaldo Decoud Larrosa: Born on January 9, 1911, in Ypané, Reinaldo Decoud Larrosa was a very smart person who studied medicine, folklore, and languages. He is most famous for helping to create the Guaraní alphabet and for translating the New Testament into Guaraní.

See also

In Spanish: Ypané para niños