Primero de Marzo
Encyclopedia
Primero de Marzo is a small town and district in the marshy lowlands of the Cordillera Department
in Paraguay
. The area is located near the shallow meandering river Yhaguy which locals utilize primarily for fishing and recreation. Primero de Marzo's name is derived from the date March 1, 1870, when then Paraguayan President Francisco Solano López
was killed by Brazilian troops at Cerro Corá, thereby ending the bloody War of the Triple Alliance
.
. On June 23, 1955, the town was declared its own departmental district by presidential decree from dictator Alfredo Stroessner
. Primero de Marzo is sometimes called by its lesser know name of Colonia Alphonso Tranquera. The town celebrates its Fiesta Patronal on December 25 in honor of its patron saint Niño Jesus. Other large fiestas celebrated in the area include Cerra Corá (March 1), Pascua (Easter), la fiesta de San Juan (June), and la fiesta de San Blas (February 3).
), watermelon, tomato, pineapple, cotton, and soybeans. Fishfarming production of Tilapia
is becoming increasingly important in the rural campos.
passing through the Cordillera towns of Isla Pucú
, Eusebio Ayala District
, and finally Caacupe via Ruta 2 - Monday through Saturday. While the majority of Primero de Marzo's roads remain unpaved, flooding during the Paraguayan wet season does not adversely affect bus service to and from the Asuncion bus terminal as the main exit road is paved in crude cobble stone until its convergence with a paved highway at Isla Pucú. Daily morning service to Arroyos y Esteros
and Ruta 3 usually can be made by contracting private transportation in town; however, this route is subject to frequent rain washout.
Cordillera Department
-History:During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries this area of the country was going through a serious crisis due to population bellicosity of the Indians from Chaco. The villagers from Tobatí located north of the river Pirapo then called, had to migrate south for the continue attacks by...
in Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
. The area is located near the shallow meandering river Yhaguy which locals utilize primarily for fishing and recreation. Primero de Marzo's name is derived from the date March 1, 1870, when then Paraguayan President Francisco Solano López
Francisco Solano López (politician)
Francisco Solano López Carrillo was president of Paraguay from 1862 until his death in 1870. He was officially the eldest son of president Carlos Antonio López, whom he succeeded...
was killed by Brazilian troops at Cerro Corá, thereby ending the bloody War of the Triple Alliance
War of the Triple Alliance
The Paraguayan War , also known as War of the Triple Alliance , was a military conflict in South America fought from 1864 to 1870 between Paraguay and the Triple Alliance of Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay...
.
Demographics
According to the 2002 National Paraguayan census, Primero de Marzo has a population of 6,019 inhabitants: 3,210 male and 2,809 female. 795 inhabitants live in the urban center of Primero de Marzo while another 5,224 maintain dwellings in the various surrounding rural campos. Some of the larger outlying rural campos include General Diaz, Sargento Cabellero, San Isidro, and Mariscal Estigarribia. Running water and electricity is available to the urban inhabitants, but only some of the rural campos. There are a very few landlines for telephone service in the area. The most reliable being at the Municipality and the Cooperative, Niño Jesus Ltd. Currently, there is any internet or cellular phone service in the area due to the geography and poor public infrastructure.History and Culture
Primero de Marzo was originally founded in 1931 as "Colonia Primero de Marzo" under the aegis of the district of CaraguatayCaraguatay
Caraguatay may refer to:* Caraguatay District* Caraguatay Department* Caraguatay, Paraguay...
. On June 23, 1955, the town was declared its own departmental district by presidential decree from dictator Alfredo Stroessner
Alfredo Stroessner
Alfredo Stroessner Matiauda, whose name is also spelled Strössner or Strößner , was a Paraguayan military officer and dictator from 1954 to 1989...
. Primero de Marzo is sometimes called by its lesser know name of Colonia Alphonso Tranquera. The town celebrates its Fiesta Patronal on December 25 in honor of its patron saint Niño Jesus. Other large fiestas celebrated in the area include Cerra Corá (March 1), Pascua (Easter), la fiesta de San Juan (June), and la fiesta de San Blas (February 3).
Economy
A rural agricultural area, Primero de Marzo is centered in a region well-known for its high-quality production of petitgrain (orange essence) from the bitter orange tree (citrus aurantium). This petitgrain is generally exported to Europe for use in perfumes and skin care products. The vast majority of the harvest, production, and sale of this crop of petitgrain is organized by members of the small credit and marketing cooperative Niño Jesus Ltd. Other important crops in the area include mandioca (yuca), ka'a he'ê (steviaStevia
Stevia is a genus of about 240 species of herbs and shrubs in the sunflower family , native to subtropical and tropical regions from western North America to South America. The species Stevia rebaudiana, commonly known as sweetleaf, sweet leaf, sugarleaf, or simply stevia, is widely grown for its...
), watermelon, tomato, pineapple, cotton, and soybeans. Fishfarming production of Tilapia
Tilapia
Tilapia , is the common name for nearly a hundred species of cichlid fish from the tilapiine cichlid tribe. Tilapia inhabit a variety of fresh water habitats, including shallow streams, ponds, rivers and lakes. Historically, they have been of major importance in artisan fishing in Africa and the...
is becoming increasingly important in the rural campos.
Transportation
The bus company, Empresa 1º de Marzo operates out of the town center and maintains hourly service (3½ hours) to AsuncionAsunción
Asunción is the capital and largest city of Paraguay.The "Ciudad de Asunción" is an autonomous capital district not part of any department. The metropolitan area, called Gran Asunción, includes the cities of San Lorenzo, Fernando de la Mora, Lambaré, Luque, Mariano Roque Alonso, Ñemby, San...
passing through the Cordillera towns of Isla Pucú
Isla Pucú
Isla Pucú is a small town and district in the Cordillera Department of Paraguay. Its people are usually farmers. Technology is taking place rapidly and it is getting to be a more sophisticated place, because many of the young people are migrating to North America and Spain, to help their families...
, Eusebio Ayala District
Eusebio Ayala District
Eusebio Ayala is a district of the Cordillera Department, Paraguay. It is named after Eusebio Ayala, a former President of Paraguay. It is located approximately 72 km of the city of Asuncion, capital of the Republic of Paraguay....
, and finally Caacupe via Ruta 2 - Monday through Saturday. While the majority of Primero de Marzo's roads remain unpaved, flooding during the Paraguayan wet season does not adversely affect bus service to and from the Asuncion bus terminal as the main exit road is paved in crude cobble stone until its convergence with a paved highway at Isla Pucú. Daily morning service to Arroyos y Esteros
Arroyos y Esteros
Arroyos y Esteros is a district of the Cordillera Department, Paraguay.-Etymology:Its name describes exactly the real aspect of this place, which is surrounded by swamps and streams...
and Ruta 3 usually can be made by contracting private transportation in town; however, this route is subject to frequent rain washout.