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Ypacaraí Lake is a major body of water located in Paraguay, about east of the capital, Asunción. The lake lies in the western part of the Asunción-Sapucai-Villarrica graben, a
tectonic depression A structural basin is a large-scale structural formation of rock strata formed by tectonic warping of previously flat-lying strata. They are geological depressions, the inverse of domes. Elongated structural basins are also known as synclines. ...
from the
Mesozoic Era The Mesozoic Era ( ), also called the Age of Reptiles, the Age of Conifers, and colloquially as the Age of the Dinosaurs is the second-to-last Era (geology), era of Earth's Geologic time scale, geological history, lasting from about , comprising ...
, and drains to the northwest through the Salado River into the Paraguay River. The lake is surrounded by three cities:
Areguá Areguá () is the capital of Central Department in Paraguay, located from the capital, Asunción. The city lies between Ypacaraí Lake to the east and hills to the west. Areguá is known for its colonial architecture and historic cobbleston ...
,
Ypacaraí Ypacaraí is a town in the Central Department of Paraguay on the Lake Ypacarai. On the Paraguayan highway system, it is located between Asunción and Caacupé, near Areguá and San Bernardino. Known as the "City of Folklore" after the Ypa ...
and San Bernardino, the latter two being located on its shore. It is one of Paraguay's two main lakes and the site of many leisure activities. As a result of the proliferation of toxic algae or
cyanobacteria Cyanobacteria (), also known as Cyanophyta, are a phylum of gram-negative bacteria that obtain energy via photosynthesis. The name ''cyanobacteria'' refers to their color (), which similarly forms the basis of cyanobacteria's common name, blu ...
, the lake is the most polluted in Paraguay. The government has banned access to its waters.


Geography

The area of Ypacaraí Lake is about . It is long north–south and long east–west. The average depth of the water is roughly . The lake flows into the Salado River, which itself enters the Paraguay River and receives water from various bodies, of water such as the Yagua Resau, Yuquyry, Puente Estrella and Pirayu.


Weather

The weather at the lake is mailnly warm. Sunny days are frequent. Temperature varies between during the summer and during the winter.


History

The lake's original name was Tapycua. There are several possible explanations for the name. Ypacaraí means " holy lake" and is linked to the legend of the blessing of the lake by
Luis de Bolaños Luis de Bolaños (1549? – 11 October 1629) was a Spanish Franciscan friar and missionary evangelist, initiator of the system of reductions (indigenous towns) in Paraguay and northeastern Argentina. Bolaños was born in Marchena, Seville, ...
around 1600.


Art and culture

Lake Ypacarai is internationally known because of the song “Recuerdos de Ypacarai” ("Memories of Ypacarai") written by
Demetrio Ortiz Demetrio Ortiz (Piribebuy, 22 December 1916 – Buenos Aires, 18 August 1975) was a Paraguayan Paraguay (; ), officially the Republic of Paraguay ( es, República del Paraguay, links=no; gn, Tavakuairetã Paraguái, links=si), is a landloc ...
. The song has been performed and recorded by many singers, including Julio Iglesias. The nearby town of
Areguá Areguá () is the capital of Central Department in Paraguay, located from the capital, Asunción. The city lies between Ypacaraí Lake to the east and hills to the west. Areguá is known for its colonial architecture and historic cobbleston ...
offers permanent art and crafts exhibitions. The artisan center of La Cuenca hosts a fair where local artists exhibit their work. Visitors and tourists can obtain information at the cultural center Estacion A; there is also an art center, the Guaggari Center, which is located at the entrance to the city and includes a sculpture exhibition. La Casa de la Cultura is a historical museum where temporary exhibitions are also presented. It opens for the Ypacaraí Festival that takes place in September. Ypacaraí Festival has been held every year in the city of Ypacaraí since 1971. The September gathering hosts folk expression and Paraguayan art, including concerts, dance and theater. According to the City Chamber, the festival “tries to rescue and reinforce the artistic heritage of the Paraguayan culture”. Casa Hassler, a cultural center, is open for the whole year, with permanent and temporary exhibitions. Artists can show their work here for free, and there is also a history museum, a
public library A public library is a library that is accessible by the general public and is usually funded from public sources, such as taxes. It is operated by librarians and library paraprofessionals, who are also Civil service, civil servants. There are ...
and classes in acting and dance.


Tourism

The lake is surrounded by cities with facilities for tourists and other visitors. The lake's beaches are open to the public.


San Bernardino

This city is from Asunción. It has beaches, cultural centers, pubs, and interesting restaurants. San Bernardino is also called the “Summer City” because of its facilities and attractions for visitors during that season.


Areguá

Areguá is from Asunción and has a charming, bohemian atmosphere. It is a favorite place for writers and well-known personalities. This city also has a public beach. Areguá holds fairs throughout the year where local artisans sell pottery and other goods.


Travel

The lake is visible when visiting one of the surrounding cities. Buses depart to San Bernardino and Ypacaraí from the Asunción Bus Terminal, and there is a bus to Areguá from Avenida San Martín or Aviadores del Chaco in Asunción.


References

* La Magia de Nuestra Tierra- Fundación en Alianza, 2003. * Jaha, Sitios imperdibles del Paraguay. Revista informativa. Senatur, 2008.


External links


Secretaria Nacional de TurismoFestival del Lago
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ypacarai Lake Geography of Central Department Lakes of Paraguay