Humaitá

See also Fortress of Humaitá; Humaitá (disambiguation)

Humaitá is a town and distrito on the Paraguay River in southern Paraguay. During the Paraguayan War, it served as the main Paraguayan stronghold from 1866 until its fall in August 1868. During that time, it housed as many as 24,000 troops. Up until March 1868, it was the de facto home of the Paraguayan government.

Portions of the old fortifications, including some large earthworks, are still visible. It also possesses the remains of a Jesuit church dating from the 18th century.

Toponymy

Humaitá comes from the Guaraní words “yma” (meaning antique) and “itá” (meaning stone).

Geography

The predominant geography in the zone is of a sheet of low areas, of whitish land, without prominent waviness. Due to the proximity of the Paraguay River, the increase of the waves overwhelms the whole bordering zone, therefore the geopolitical importance that the city had in the past.

Climate

The climate is tropical, with temperatures reaching 0 °C in winter and 40 °C in the summer.

Humaitá, Rio de Janeiro

Humaitá, is a residential district in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is situated between the foot of Corcovado Mountain and the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon. Neighbouring districts are Botafogo, Lagoa and Jardim Botânico.

The name of the district commemorates the Battle of Humaitá in southern Paraguay, fought during the Paraguayan War in August 1868.

In 1657, Father José Martins de Matos, Vicar of the Bishopric dedicated a chapel (then recently constructed, on the wooded lower slopes of Corcovado, a site at the end of the street now called Rua Viuva Lacerda) and opened the "Caminho Novo" (new path/way) to São Clemente (St. Clement). Nowadays this path has become a major thoroughfare, Rua São Clemente, which passes through Botafogo and Humaitá.

In September 2004 the Mayor of Rio de Janeiro created a "Pólo Gastronômico" (Gastronomy Precinct) in the area bounded by the Streets; São Clemente, Humaitá, Visconde Silva, Visconde de Caravelas, Pinheiro Guimarães, Real Grandeza, Mena Barreto, São João Batista and Voluntários da Pátria, all within Humaitá and neighbouring Botafogo.

Humaitá (disambiguation)

Humaitá may refer to the following:

Places

Military

Animals