Bella Vista (Corrientes)

Bella Vista is an Argentine city, located west of the province of Corrientes, head of the department of the same name. It is located on the banks of the Paraná River. The municipality includes the Toropi and Carayá islands in the Paraná River. It is 144 kilometers from the City of Corrientes.

Location and access routes

Bella Vista borders Santa Lucía to the south; to the east with San Roque; to the north with Municipality 3 de Abril and Saladas; and to the west with Villa Ocampo, Province of Santa Fe, separated by the Paraná River.

Provincial Route 27 connects it with the rest of the province, extending from the north from the junction with National Route 12 at a crossroads known as "Cuatro Bocas". At the southern end, RP 27 ends at the junction with RN 12, in the town of Goya.

Infrastructure

Bella Vista has hotel service and fishing guides. It has a Long Distance Bus Terminal. There are also entertainment venues for all ages, such as a casino, museum, among other activities.

Its waterfront is a meeting place, with entirely paved access. It also has a beach with free public access, on the banks of the Paraná River.

Cruz de los Milagros Park is located at the confluence of the beach and the city center, and has camping and all services. It offers a privileged view at the highest point of the city, through its 30-meter-high ravines, towards the Paraná River.

History

The historical background can be glimpsed from the year 1774. At that time, the site was called 'San Fernando de Garzas', and it remained populated by aborigines from the Gran Chaco, promoting military sites of the province to protect the place.

In later years, it began to be called 'La Crucecita', and it was used mainly to moor boats at night, when navigating the Paraná River became difficult.

The official date of founding of the City is June 3, 1825 by Brigadier Pedro Ferré, then Governor of Corrientes. In 1825, Ferré ordered the measurement of the place and issued a founding law. Since the founding act was never found, the historian Federico Palma proposes the date accepted until today, since that day the Congress of the Province was informed of the completion of the measurement.

The natural conditions of the port made it possible for deep-draft ships to dock. In addition, it had a promotion policy in relation to customs taxes. In 1827 the temple was dedicated to Our Lady of Carmen, whose image was the Virgin of Caá Caraí. The Immigrant Law of 1830 generated a great expansionary impulse from the settlement of foreigners and a diversified agricultural economy.

Numerous civil wars, and the invasion of Paraguayan forces in 1865, are some of the events that marked the history of the city of Bella Vista.

Places and colonies

• Paraje Desmochado
• Colonia Progreso
• South Lomas
• Lomas East
• North Lomas
• North
• Alta Island
• Paraje Many Islands

Population

According to INDEC data, the population is 29,071 inhabitants. Taking into account the 2010 census and of which 248 of these are born abroad. Therefore, the increase in inhabitants compared to the previous census (2001) was 14.5%.

Graphic of demographic evolution of Bella Vista between 1991 and 2010

Source of National Censuses of INDEC

Economy

Bella Vista bases its economy on industries linked to the processing and marketing of primary production. Activities related to concentrated juice and perfume factories, fruit packaging, rice dryers, sawmills, artisanal candy factories, and fruit processing industries are fundamental in supplying nationally.

The local headquarters of the Alpargatas Argentina textile factory is a reference in the town.

Notable crops with vegetables (mainly tomatoes and bell peppers), citrus fruits (orange, tangerine, lemon and grapefruit), corn and rice. Various ventures are added in Agroecology.

Culture

The province of Corrientes is the cradle of Chamamé, and Bella Vista made its contributions from prominent artists of the movement, among whom we can name: Ruvén Miño, Ricardo Scófano, Raúl Noguera, Aldo Rinesi, Rogelio Almirón, Los Hermanos Ortíz, Grupo Nuevo Tiempo, Los Hitos among others.

As for varied musical expressions, some groups with provincial and even national projection stand out: Kalacawas and La Happy Hour.

There are also references in Literature and Painting.

Tourism

With a humid subtropical climate and warm summers, Bella Vista offers a full summer season on its beaches.

Bella Vista has one of the most outstanding paleontological sites in the Province: El Toropí. Located 10 kilometers south of the city, it is reached via RP 27 and a dirt road access.

Parties and events

• National Orange Festival: It is done in the month of November. It was declared a National Festival in 2002. In its origins the orange harvests and good production of the year were celebrated, with popular songs and fruit packing contests. Years later, she began to choose the annual Orange Queen and became a village festival at a Provincial Party. Currently, the organization is in charge of the Municipal State.

• Carnivals: They take place during the months of January and February, in the Municipal Corsódromo. Brazilian influences can be seen in the costumes and the Uruguayan candombe in their rhythms. The participating chambers are: Anahí, Sapucay, Alelí, Empress and Azahar.

• Feast of Embarked Fish with Returns: This is a varied fishing tournament with return for a weekend of the month of November. Boats with equipment from all over the country and neighbouring countries participate. It has a nautical exhibition, fishing articles, crafts and gastronomy. Live shows at night with local and national artists of various musical genres, highlighting among them the chamamé. On Saturday night a queen and two princesses are chosen between a dozen applicants to represent the party at other events throughout the year. On Sunday morning the lanches are completed until evening. Upon return, the scores are scrutinized to determine the winning teams. During the closing dinner at night, the awards are given to the winners and draws among all the fishermen.

Parishes of the Catholic Church in Bella Vista

In the Catholic religion, its representation corresponds to the Virgin Our Lady of Carmen where her patron saint's day is held every year.