Itauguá

Itauguá
Itauguá
Country	Paraguay
Department	Central
Founded	June 27, 1728
Founded by	Baron Martín de Barúa
Government
• Intendente Municipal	Luis A. Salinas Tanasio
Area
• Total	122 km2 (47 sq mi)
Elevation	170 m (560 ft)
Population  (2008)
• Total	89,449
• Density	1,090.84/km2 (2,825.3/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC-4 (-4 Gmt)
Postal code	2680
Area code	(595) (291)

Itauguá is a city of the Central Department, Paraguay. Founded in 1728, it's known by its exquisite and peculiar art of the ñandutí and its music.

The San Rafael Museum shows valious objects of the Colonial Age.

The National Hospital, one of the most important institutions of healthiness, is located in this city.

This city is about 30 kilometers away from Asunción. It was founded by the Baron Martín de Barúa, June 27, 1728.

History and Toponymy

The architecture of the Colonial Age is still visible in the center of the city.

His name is related to the Ytay stream, that flows through the land. So, "ita" (Stone in Guaraní language), plus the suffix "gua", that indicates belonging in Guaraní language.

Actually is denominated as the "City of the Ñandutí" because that is his main artesian work, known by his similarity to the spider webs.

One of the most important cultural expressions is the "Ñandutí Festival" that gathers a lot of audience every year since more than 30 years. The first edition was in June 1970. Of this event participates great artists such as Juan Cancio Barreto, Grupo Generación, Quemil Yambay, Vocal Dos, Oscar Pérez and his band, also the famous band of Juan Carlos Oviedo and the Acuña Brothers.

The city possesses supply of drinkable water across Meetings of Environmental Reparation and does not possess sanitary sewer. It possesses, in addition, the polysport "Dr. Nicolás Léoz"

Demography

Itauguá has 89,449 inhabitants, from which 44,997 are males and 44,451 females, according to the General Office of Statistics, Polls and Census.

Tourism

Among the touristic attractions are the hills Patiño and Cerrito, the Virgen del Rosario Church, the San Rafael Museum, and the colonial houses built during the time of the former dictator Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia.

Climate

The climate is pretty fresh. The warm weather predominates with high temperatures during the spring and the summer.

Economy

Itauguá is characterized especially by the manufacture and sale of textiles of Ñandutí. This products are exported to many foreign countries. The tourists always shows very interested about the ñandutí, considering it as an everlasting product that easily conquers the international markets.

Neighborhoods and Companies

This are some of its companies:

• Aldama Canada
• Potrero
• Virgen de Guadalupe
• Guayaivity
• San Antonio
• Zeballos
• Itaugua-Guazu
• Mbokajaty
• Cañada

How to get there

You can get to the city of Itauguá following the Route 2. Going from Asunción, there are many public buses that go to there. The route is thoroughly signalized.

Outstanding citizens

Itauguá is proud of his culture, the music is one the popular passions of the municipality, several representative artists of the Paraguayan song have cradle itagueña. They were born in Itaguá, Félix Fernandez known by his poems in Guarani, the writer Nicolás Cóppulo and Juan Crisóstomo Centurión, hero of the Paraguayan War and out-standing politician during the postwar. The city is also a cradle of important artists and musical groups as Vocal Dos, Evolucion and others

Art and culture

The city celebrates intensely near the end of June to remember his foundation. The festivals attract the attention of other cities with his dances, music and folcloric bands.

Ñanduti

Is a lace weaved with needles tailored in circular frames. This fabric gives a very delicate detail to many clothes and decorates. It's mandatory to get to Itauguá to hear the legend of the Ñandutí that is told with pride by the inhabitants.

References

• Reportaje al País. Tomo 1. Edición 2001. Asunción Paraguay.
• Geografía Ilustrada del Paraguay - ISBN 99925-68-04-6 - Distribuidora Arami S.R.L.
• La Magia de nuestra tierra. Fundación en Alianza. Asunción. 2007.

External links

• SENATUR
• World Gazeteer: Paraguay – World-Gazetteer.com