Santiago is a city in Paraguay, located in the Misiones Department in the south.

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages) This article contains content that is written like an advertisement. (March 2017) This article may be incomprehensible or very hard to understand. (March 2017) This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (June 2020)

Santiago
City
Santiago
Iglesia de Santiago
Santiago
Coordinates: 27°9′0″S 56°47′0″W
Country	Paraguay
Department	Misiones
Re-founded	1669
Government
• Intendente Municipal	Américo Romero Sanabria (Liberal Party)
Area
• Total	740 km2 (290 sq mi)
Elevation	69 m (226 ft)
Population  (2008)
• Total	7,702
• Density	9/km2 (20/sq mi)
Time zone	-4 Gmt
Code Postal	4860
Area code	(595) (782)

Toponymy

When it was originally named, Santiago was called San Ignacio de Caaguzú. It was re-founded in the Misiones department, Paraguay, in 1669 with the name of Santiago Apóstol.

History

Santiago is an old Jesuit mission city and today still preserves many characteristics of colonial times, like its great main square, the "house of the Indians" and a museum that preserves objects of art from colonial times.

During colonial times Santiago was a very important city because of its population of about 3,000 inhabitants.

During the holidays, it organized the Opera of Santiago.

Geography

Santiago is located 278 kilometers from Asunción, the capital Paraguay. It is located on a hill between the cities of Ayolas and San Patricio.

Climate

In summer, the temperature reaches 39°C, and in winter can drop to 0°C. The annual average is 21°C.[1]

Population

Santiago has a population of 7,702 inhabitants, 4,017 men and 3,685 women, according to the General Direction of Polls, Statistics and Census.[2]

Economy

The people of Santiago mostly raise cattle. Other local agriculture includes corn, sugar cane, cotton and soy.

Municipality

The former governor is Ignacio Larre (Liberal Party).

Tourism

Santiago has a sacred art museum, the "Museo Jesuítico de Santiago" (Jesuit Museum of Santiago). The museum displays paintings and sculptures, including a 3 part sculpture depicting the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ and La Piedad.

The church preserves many images carved in wood by the natives. The "House of the Indians" museum exhibits images of saints. The church has a unique altarpiece in the Missions, many of the pictures in the church center around biblical themes.

The Benedictine monastery "Tupasy María" is a place of meditation, it was founded in 1984.

In January the "Fiesta de la Tradicion Misionera" (Missioner Traditional Festivity) brings horse breakers from Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay to show their abilities in racing and breaking in horses. Traditional Paraguayan food is sold at the festival, including "Batiburrillo", sopa and chipa Guazu with barbecues and the traditional Mandioca. The festival is usually held on January 20, 21 and 22. Michel Telo performed at the festival in the 2014. It is organized by the "Club de Leones" of Santiago Misiones, and claims to be the biggest rural traditional festivity in Paraguay.

The State "Tacuaty" is place for the Festival of Breaking-in and Folklore, located on the road to Ayolas.

References

• Geografía Ilustrada del Paraguay, Distribuidora Arami SRL; 2007. ISBN 99925-68-04-6
• Geografía del Paraguay, Primera Edición 1999, Editorial Hispana Paraguay SR

External links

• Secretaria Nacional de Turismo
• ABC Digital "Así es Nuestro País" MISIONES (VIII Departamento)
• Turismo en Misiones