Formosa, Argentina

From Freepedia

Formosa is the capital city of the Argentine province of Formosa, located at coordinates 26°12′ S 58°12′ W on the banks of the Paraguay River. The city has an area of 6,195 km² and a population of 209,787 (2001).

Information about the City

The city is located on the Ruta Nacional #11 ("National Rout #11"), some 1,200 kilometres from Buenos Aires. The Formosa Airport El Pucú (IATA FMA) is located at coordinates 26° 12′ 04″ S, 58° 13′ 09″ W, 7 kilometres south of the city, serves charter flights, and regular flights to Buenos Aires. The climate is humid sub-tropical, with average temperatures of 22°C to 33°C in summer, and 12°C to 23°C in winter, with no dry season.

Formosa is the hub of the provincial industrial, that processes the product of the natural resources of the province. The port that serves the Paraguay towards the Paraná River is the main transport mean for the provincial production.

Notable sights of the city include the Nuestra Seńora del Carmen Cathedral, the Government House, the Torelli Botanic Forest Garden, the Provincial History Museum (Museo Histórico Provincial), the Estadio Centenario ("Centenary Stadium") football stadium, the Guaicole fauna reserve, the shore of the Paraguay River, the Isla de Oro Island, and the Central Square named after José de San Martín.

History

The lands were traditionally inhabited by Tobas and Wichí (Matacos) Indians.

Comandante Luis Jorge Fontana founded on April 8 1879 to be the capital of the Territorio Nacional del Chaco from 1884 to June 15 1955, when it gained the status of province.

The name of the city (and the province) comes from the old Spanish word Fermosa (currently Hermosa) meaning "beautiful".