Villa Florida

Villa Florida
Villa Florida beach sunset
Villa Florida
Coordinates: 26°24′27″S 57°07′44″W / 26.40750°S 57.12889°W / -26.40750; -57.12889Coordinates: 26°24′27″S 57°07′44″W / 26.40750°S 57.12889°W / -26.40750; -57.12889
Country	Paraguay
Department	Misiones
Established	September 6, 1880 by Bernardino Caballero
Government
• Intendente Municipal	Michel Flores (Colorados)
Area
• Total	196 km2 (76 sq mi)
Elevation	80 m (260 ft)
Population (2008)
• Total	2.914 hab.
• Density	15/km2 (40/sq mi)
Time zone	-4 Gmt
Postal code	4820
Area code(s)	(595) (83)

Villa Florida is a city in southern Paraguay located on the Tebicuary River at the entrance of Misiones Region. Initially, when it was established by the Jesuits in 1632, it was called Paso Santa María. It was officially founded as a city on September 6, 1880 during Bernardino Caballero's government.

Villa Florida is 161 km (100 mi) from Asunción. Citizens mainly work on commercial activities, cattle raising and tourism, linked to the beautiful Tebicuary River. This river nearly encloses the city, and has wide white beaches.

One of the main annual festivities is the day of the city's festival, the Inmaculada Concepcion de Maria, celebrated on December 8.

The land is mainly flat. The soil is rich in salts and minerals, which makes it especially good for cattle rising. Because of the soil characteristics, there are no forests, but some groves of trees are found close to the Tebicuary River. Close to the city there are some lime and iron mines that were exploited in the past.

Villa Florida is unusual in Paraguay in being one of the few districts that have no counties or scattered neighborhoods.

The weather is mainly mild in the four months of southern-hemisphere winter and hot in summer: temperatures range from 25 to 35 Celsius (77-95 F) during eight months and from 3 to 24 Celsius (37-75 F) during winter. This city has good conditions for outdoor activities most of the year. Nevertheless, tourists should be careful with exposure to solar ultraviolet rays.

There is nearly no population growth, because there are not enough job opportunities for young people, who migrate searching for alternatives to more populated cities.

Villa Florida was founded in September, 1880 by General Bernardino Caballero. Initially named Paso Santa Maria, it was located in the route that linked the center with the south of the country. That place was located approximately 800 meters (0.50 miles) upriver from where the bridge is now. (This bridge was inaugurated in 1968)

A well-maintained highway traces a straight line 19 km (12 mi) long that links Villa Florida with San Miguel City.

The city economy is based mainly on tourism and cattle rising. Years ago, fishing was another special attraction, but waters were over exploited, without any respect for laws. During the 70s, Villa Florida was a must for fishing fans. Nowadays, only local people still fish there for their living.