Country Argentina Department Paraná Elevation 77 m (253 ft) | Province Entre Ríos Founded 23 October 1730 Demonym(s) Paranaense | |
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Paraná ([paɾaˈna]) 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 247,863 (2010 census ).
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Map of Parana, Entre Rios, Argentina
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.
The centre of the city gathers colonial churches, European styles such as that of the 3 de Febrero Theatre or the Government House, the mixed styles of the city's Cathedral, and modern towers like those near the 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.
Paraná is served by General Justo José de Urquiza Airport (IATA PRA), at coordinates 31°47′07″S 60°28′09″W, 7.5 kilometres (4.7 mi) from the city, with regular flights to Buenos Aires (Aeroparque Jorge Newbery). Another option is Sauce Viejo Airport in nearby Santa Fe.
History
During the 16th century, inhabitants of the city of Santa Fe settled also at the other side of the Parits neighbour capital of 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. 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) although heat waves can push temperatures above 37 °C (98.6 °F) while 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 40.0 °C (104.0 °F) on January 11, 1972 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.