Atyrá

Atyra is an old city of Paraguay, 61 kilometers from the country's capital, Asunción. Located in the Altos Cordillera, it is part of the Cordillera Department.

Original name and founding

Atyrá was initially named Atyhá, founded by the governor Domingo Martínez de Irala in 1538. The word "Atyhá" is of Guaraní origin. It used to be a Guaraní village, and was named for being the meeting place of its residents.

Geography

Located in the Altos Cordillera, the landscape of the city has large extensions of rocks that form undulations.

It is bounded to the north by the city of Arroyos y Esteros, to the north-east by Loma Grande District, to the south by Tobatí, to the west by the Altos, and to the south-east by San Bernardino and Ypacarai.

Climate

The climate is mild and dry. The average temperature is 22°C, reaching in the summer 39°C and in winter dropping to 3°C.

Demography

Atyra has a population of 15,278 inhabitants, 8,004 men and 7,274 women, according to the projections of the national Statistics, Polls and Census General Direction (2008).