Paraná, Entre Ríos

 

Paraná  is the capital city of the Argentine province Entre Ríos, located on the eastern shore of the Paraná River, opposite the city of Santa Fe, capital of the neighbouring Santa Fe Province. The city has a population of 268,889 inhabitants within its urban area. Greater Paraná has a population of 312,713 inhabitants. (2022 census [INDEC])

History

During the 16th century, inhabitants of the city of Santa Fe settled at the other shore of the Paraná river. The first settlers called it “Baxada del Paraná”.

Between 1854 and 1861, it was the capital city of the Argentine Confederation.

Economy

Paraná is not only the head of the provincial government, but also an important river port for the transshipment of cereals, cattle, fish, and lumber from the surrounding region. The principal industries installed are the manufacture of cement, furniture, and ceramics.

Cityscape

The city center brings together colonial churches, European styles seen in structures like the 3 de Febrero Theatre or the Government House, the blended architectural styles of the city's Cathedral, and modern towers, such as those found near Parque Urquiza park. The city is connected to the city of Santa Fe on the other side of the Entre Ríos by the Hernandarias Subfluvial Tunnel inaugurated in 1969.

Transport

Paraná is served by General Justo José de Urquiza Airport (IATA PRA), at coordinates 31°47′07″S 60°28′09″W, 7.5 km (4.7 miles) from the city, with regular flights to Buenos Aires (Aeroparque Jorge Newbery). Another option is Sauce Viejo Airport in nearby Santa Fe.

Climate

Paraná has a Pampean climate, which under the Köppen climate classification, would be classified as a humid subtropical climate (Cfa). The average annual temperature is 18 °C (64.4 °F). Winters are characterized with mild temperatures during the day and very cold nights.[5] The average high is 18 °C (64.4 °F) while the average low is 5 °C (41.0 °F). Temperatures occasionally fall below 1 °C (33.8 °F), leading to frosts.

Spring and Fall are transitional seasons with warm temperatures during the day with cool temperatures during the night. Normally, the last frost occurs on August 4, although frosts can occur as late as October 9. The first frost occurs on June 22 though frosts as early as May has occurred.

Summers are characterized by hot weather during the day with mild to warm nights. The average temperature during summer is around 23 °C (73.4 °F); however, heat waves can push temperatures above 37 °C (98.6 °F) and cool Pampero winds can push temperatures below 10 °C (50.0 °F). Most of the precipitation occurs during the summer, receiving an average precipitation of 400 mm (16 in). The city, along with the entire province, is located in an area of high risk of tornadoes in the country, particularly during spring and summer.

Paraná receives 1,069.1 mm (42.09 in) of precipitation per year, most of it concentrated in the summer months and there are 87 days with measurable precipitation. The average relative humidity is 73%. Wind speeds are moderate throughout the year, ranging from a low of 10.1 km/h (6.3 mph) in April to a high of 16.0 km/h (9.9 mph) in September. Paraná receives an average of 2713.3 hours (or 61% of possible sunshine) of bright sunshine per year, ranging from a low of 51% in June to a high of 67% in January and February. The highest temperature ever recorded was 42.8 °C (109.0 °F) on January 2, 1963, while the lowest temperature ever recorded was −7.0 °C (19.4 °F) on July 10, 1976.

Sports

The city is home to the basketball team Atlético Echagüe. As of 2017, it competes in the Liga Nacional de Básquet, Argentina's top professional basketball division. It plays its home games at the Estadio Luis Butta. The main football teams are: Club Atlético Patronato and Club Atlético Paraná.

Paraná was the host to the inaugural U-23 Men's Softball World Cup in 2023.

Sister cities

Uruguay Salto, Uruguay

Bolivia Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia

United States Muscatine, United States

Canada Quebec City, Canada

Italy Leonforte, Italy

Notable people

Facundo Affranchino (born 1990), footballer

Fernando Alloco (born 1986), footballer

Alejandro Almada (born 1990), footballer

Walter Andrade (born 1984), footballer

Ignacio Arce (born 1992), footballer

Martín Aruga (born 1998), footballer

Roberto Ayala (born 1973), footballer

Juan Barinaga (born 2000), footballer

Sebastián Bertoli (born 1977), footballer

Poldy Bird (1941–2018), writer and poet

Iván Borghello (born 1983), footballer

Roberto Breppe (born 1941), cyclist

Edgardo Brittes (born 1982), footballer

Jorge Cáceres (1917–1975), modern pentathlete

Evaristo Carriego (1883–1912), poet

Martin Castrogiovanni (born 1981), Italy international rugby player born in the city

María Caviglia (1895–1985), politician

Andrés Chabrillón (1887–1968), poet and writer

Juan Pablo Cantero (born 1982), basketball player

Juan Cavallaro (born 1994), footballer

Gastón Comas (born 1998), footballer

Lautaro Comas (born 1995), footballer

Román Comas (born 1999), footballer

Faustino Dettler (born 1998), footballer

Juan Cruz Franzoni (born 1999), footballer

María Eugenia Duré (born 1980), politician

Mateo Franzotti (born 2003), footballer

Martín Gaitán (born 1978), rugby union player and coach

Miguel Galuccio (born 1968), petroleum engineer

Manuel Gálvez (1882–1962), writer

Lautaro Geminiani (born 1991), footballer

León Genuth (1931–2022), wrestler

Betina Jozami (born 1988), tennis player

Tomás Ledesma (born 1994), politician

Eduardo Lell (born 1964), footballer

Salvador Maciá (1855-1929), Governor of Entre Ríos Province

Rodrigo Marangoni (born 1978), footballer

Lucas Márquez (born 1988), footballer

Emilio Eduardo Massera (1925–2010), military officer

Ernesto Michel (born 1970), basketball player

Marcos Minetti (born 1989), footballer

Fausto Montero (born 1988), footballer

Emanuel Moreno (born 1990), footballer

Florencia Mutio (born 1984), field hockey player

Javier Ortega Desio (born 1990), rugby union player

Agustín Pastorelli (born 1997), footballer

Damián Patriarca (born 1983), tennis player

Enrique Pérez Colman (1886–1957), writer and politician

Joaquín Pereyra (born 1998), footballer

Osvaldo Ramírez (born 1984), footballer

Eric Remedi (born 1995), footballer

Diego Reynoso (born 1981), footballer

Matías Roskopf (born 1998), footballer

Matías Russo (born 1985), racing driver

Agustín Sandona (born 1993), footballer

Raúl Sanguineti (1933–2000), chess player

Gastón Sangoy (born 1984), footballer

Alejandro de los Santos (1902—1982), footballer

Yamil Silva (born 1996), footballer

Damián Steinert (born 1986), footballer

Ignacio Verdura (1931–2018), equestrian

María Inés Valla (born 1956), engineer

Renzo Vera (born 1983), footballer

Mariano Werner (born 1988), racing driver