Borja
Yhacanguazu | |
---|---|
![]() Borja Church | |
Coordinates: 25°57′10″S 56°29′50″W / 25.95278°S 56.49722°W | |
Country | Paraguay |
Department | Guairá |
Population (2022) | |
• Total | 10 596 |
Borja is a town in the Guairá Department of Paraguay. Located 25km to the South of Villarrica and 212km to the South East of Asuncion.[1] Its main tourist attractions are two small waterfalls Salto Cristal and Salto Tupasy Ykua.[2]
It was founded under the name of Yhacanguazu on October 22, 1778 by the Spanish Governor of Paraguay Pedro Melo de Portugal. The original name is in Guarani and it means large water spring. The current name of Borja was adopted in 1929 to honor Mateo Borja, a former resident. The main economic activity are sugarcane cultivation and subsistence livestock farming.[1]
During Spanish rule in Paraguay (1535-1811) this area was part of a trackway known as the Royal Roads (Caminos reales) The roads were used by the Spanish authorities to visit the towns of Caazapa, Yuty and Itape.[2]
A report from 1851 asserts that there were 4 schools in the town. During the Paraguayan War many local women donated their jewelry to help with the costs. After the war, by 1873 it was reported that there were six schools and 350 children of whom 341 were orphans,[2]
According to the 2022 Census this district has a total population of 10 256 people.[1] Only 3.2% of the total population lives in the urban area, 298 inhabitants.