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Alto Paraná Department

Alto Paraná Department
Departamento de Alto Paraná
Department
Flag of Alto Paraná Department
Flag
Coat of arms of Alto Paraná Department
Coat of arms
Alto Paraná shown in red
Alto Paraná shown in red
Coordinates: 25°25′S 54°38′W / 25.417°S 54.633°W / -25.417; -54.633Coordinates: 25°25′S 54°38′W / 25.417°S 54.633°W / -25.417; -54.633
Country  Paraguay
Region Eastern Region
Established 1945
Capital Ciudad del Este
Largest city Ciudad del Este
Government
 • Governor Justo Zacarías Irún (ANR)
Area
 • Total 14,895 km2 (5,751 sq mi)
Area rank 7
Population (2007)
 • Total 703,507
 • Rank 2
 • Density 47/km2 (120/sq mi)
Time zone AST (UTC-04)
 • Summer (DST) ADT (UTC-03)
ISO 3166 code PY-10
Number of Districts 19
Website altoparana.gov.py

Alto Paraná (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈalto paɾaˈna]; Upper Paraná) is a department in Paraguay. The capital is Ciudad del Este (formerly known as Puerto Presidente Stroessner, originally Puerto Flor de Lis).

The Alto Paraná department has experienced tremendous economic and population growth in the past 50 years. Most of this growth has been concentrated in the department capital of Ciudad del Este, and mainly occurred after the construction of the Puente de la Amistad bridge in 1961, which connects Paraguay and Brazil. This department is home to the Itaipu power plant, which supplies 95% of the energy consumed by Paraguay, and the Acaray Dam. Several ecological reserves, a zoo and the Taiwanese-Paraguayan Technology Park are situated in this department.

The city of Presidente Franco was the first city founded in this department. Several important agricultural establishments are centered in the region of Minga Guazú which is home of the Guarani International Airport.

In times of the colony, there were many establishments in this area. Many of them were very important, such as: Ontiveros, Ciudad Real, and Villa Rica del Espíritu Santo. Nevertheless, these villages did not prosper due to the constant attacks of the Bandeirantes.

Many populations settled on this area due to the promising forestall activity by the end of the 17th century and beginnings of the 18th century. These urban centers organized around military bases that serve to defend them against the attacks of the Bandeirantes. From about this time are some cities that exist until now, such as: Villa Curuguaty, Ygatimi, Caaguazú, Lima and Ajos.


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