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Home > Travel South America > South America Destinations > Corrientes (Capital)
Corrientes (Capital)
South America is thefourth largest continent of the Western Hemisphere. It is divided politically into 12 independent countries namely Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela and the overseas department of French Guiana. The continent extends to 7,640 kilometers from Punta Gallinas, Colombia, in the north to Cape Horn, Chile, in the south. At its broadest point, near where it is crossed by the equator, the continent extends to 5,300 kilometers from east to west.
South America is connected to North America by the Isthmus of Panama. It is washed on the north by the Caribbean Sea, on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. Topographically the continent is divided into three sections namely the South American cordillera, the interior lowlands, and the continental shield. Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion and Portuguese and Spanish are the primary languages of the continent.
Corrientes is the capital city of the province of Corrientes, Argentina, located on the eastern shore of the Parana River, about 1,000 kilometers from Buenos Aires and 300 kilometers from Posadas, on national route 12. It has a population of 328,689 inhabitants.
Corrientes, as the provincial capital, is the most significant in the province, its economical centre and holds the authorities and governmental institutions. The area of the city is 500 square kilometers.
It has a mix of colonial and modern architecture, several churches and a number of ceibo, jacaranda and orange trees. It is also home to one of the largest carnival celebrations in the country. Juan Torres de Vera y Aragon founded on April 3, 1588 San Juan de Vera de las Siete Corrientes, which was later shortened to Corrientes. The seven currents refer to the seven peninsulas on the coast of the river at this place that produced wild currents that made difficult the navigation of the river through this part.
However, its position between Asuncion in present Paraguay, and Buenos Aires made it a significant middle point, especially because of its 55 meter high lands that prevent flooding when the water level rises. It is a city with endless recreational opportunities, rich history, and modern day luxuries.
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