Paraná, Entre Ríos

Paraná is the capital city of the Argentine province Entre Ríos, located on the eastern shore of the Paraná River, opposite the city of Santa Fe, capital of the neighbouring Santa Fe Province. The city has a population of 268,889 inhabitants with its urban area, Greater Paraná, having 391,962 inhabitants. 

History
During the 16th century, inhabitants of the city of Santa Fe settled at the other shore of the Paraná river. The first settlers called it “Baxada del Paraná”.

Between 1854 and 1861 it was the capital city of the Argentine Confederation.

Economy
Paraná is not only the head of the provincial government, but also an important river port for the transshipment of cereals, cattle, fish, and lumber from the surrounding region. The principal industries installed are the manufacture of cement, furniture, and ceramics.

Cityscape
The city center brings together colonial churches, European styles seen in structures like the 3 de Febrero Theatre or the Government House, the blended architectural styles of the city's Cathedral, and modern towers, such as those found near Parque Urquiza park. The city is connected to the city of Santa Fe on the other side of the Entre Ríos by the Hernandarias Subfluvial Tunnel inaugurated in 1969.

Transport
Paraná is served by General Justo José de Urquiza Airport (IATA PRA), at coordinates -31.78528°N, -60.46917°W, 7.5 km from the city, with regular flights to Buenos Aires (Aeroparque Jorge Newbery). Another option is Sauce Viejo Airport in nearby Santa Fe.

Climate
Paraná has a Pampean climate, which under the Köppen climate classification, would be classified as a humid subtropical climate (Cfa). The average annual temperature is 18 C. Winters are characterized with mild temperatures during the day and very cold nights. The average high is 18 C while the average low is 5 C. Temperatures occasionally fall below 1 C, leading to frosts.

Spring and Fall are transitional seasons with warm temperatures during the day with cool temperatures during the night. Normally, the last frost occurs on August 4 although frosts can occur as late as October 9. The first frost occurs on June 22 though frosts as early as May has occurred.

Summers are characterized by hot weather during the day with mild to warm nights. The average temperature during summer is around 23 C although heat waves can push temperatures above 37 C while cool Pampero winds can push temperatures below 10 C. Most of the precipitation occurs during the summer, receiving an average precipitation of 400 mm. The city, along with the entire province is located in an area of high risk of tornadoes in the country, particularly during spring and summer.

Paraná receives 1069.1 mm of precipitation per year, most of it concentrated in the summer months and there are 87 days with measurable precipitation. The average relative humidity is 73%. Wind speeds are moderate throughout the year, ranging from a low of 10.1 km/h in April to a high of 16.0 km/h in September. Paraná receives an average of 2713.3 hours (or 61% of possible sunshine) of bright sunshine per year, ranging from a low of 51% in June to a high of 67% in January and February. The highest temperature ever recorded was 42.8 C on January 2, 1963, while the lowest temperature ever recorded was -7.0 C on July 10, 1976.

Sports
The city is home to the basketball team Atlético Echagüe. As of 2017, it competes in the Liga Nacional de Básquet, Argentina's top professional basketball division. It plays its home games at the Estadio Luis Butta. The main football teams are: Club Atlético Patronato and Club Atlético Paraná.

Paraná was the host to the inaugural U-23 Men's Softball World Cup in 2023.

Sister cities

 * 🇺🇾 Salto, Uruguay
 * 🇧🇴 Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
 * 🇺🇸 Muscatine, United States
 * 🇨🇦 Quebec City, Canada
 * 🇮🇹 Leonforte, Italy

Notable people

 * Facundo Affranchino (born 1990), footballer
 * Fernando Alloco (born 1986), footballer
 * Alejandro Almada (born 1990), footballer
 * Walter Andrade (born 1984), footballer
 * Ignacio Arce (born 1992), footballer
 * Martín Aruga (born 1998), footballer
 * Roberto Ayala (born 1973), footballer
 * Juan Barinaga (born 2000), footballer
 * Sebastián Bertoli (born 1977), footballer
 * Poldy Bird (1941–2018), writer and poet
 * Iván Borghello (born 1983), footballer
 * Roberto Breppe (born 1941), cyclist
 * Edgardo Brittes (born 1982), footballer
 * Jorge Cáceres (1917–1975), modern pentathlete
 * Evaristo Carriego (1883–1912), poet
 * Martin Castrogiovanni (born 1981), Italy international rugby player born in the city
 * María Caviglia (1895–1985), politician
 * Andrés Chabrillón (1887–1968), poet and writer
 * Juan Pablo Cantero (born 1982), basketball player
 * Juan Cavallaro (born 1994), footballer
 * Gastón Comas (born 1998), footballer
 * Lautaro Comas (born 1995), footballer
 * Román Comas (born 1999), footballer
 * Faustino Dettler (born 1998), footballer
 * Juan Cruz Franzoni (born 1999), footballer
 * María Eugenia Duré (born 1980), politician
 * Mateo Franzotti (born 2003), footballer
 * Martín Gaitán (born 1978), rugby union player and coach
 * Miguel Galuccio (born 1968), petroleum engineer
 * Manuel Gálvez (1882–1962), writer
 * Lautaro Geminiani (born 1991), footballer
 * León Genuth (1931–2022), wrestler
 * Betina Jozami (born 1988), tennis player
 * Tomás Ledesma (born 1994), politician
 * Eduardo Lell (born 1964), footballer
 * Salvador Maciá (1855-1929), Governor of Entre Ríos Province
 * Rodrigo Marangoni (born 1978), footballer
 * Lucas Márquez (born 1988), footballer
 * Emilio Eduardo Massera (1925–2010), military officer
 * Ernesto Michel (born 1970), basketball player


 * Marcos Minetti (born 1989), footballer
 * Fausto Montero (born 1988), footballer
 * Emanuel Moreno (born 1990), footballer
 * Florencia Mutio (born 1984), field hockey player
 * Javier Ortega Desio (born 1990), rugby union player
 * Agustín Pastorelli (born 1997), footballer
 * Damián Patriarca (born 1983), tennis player
 * Enrique Pérez Colman (1886–1957), writer and politician
 * Joaquín Pereyra (born 1998), footballer
 * Osvaldo Ramírez (born 1984), footballer
 * Eric Remedi (born 1995), footballer
 * Diego Reynoso (born 1981), footballer
 * Matías Roskopf (born 1998), footballer
 * Matías Russo (born 1985), racing driver
 * Agustín Sandona (born 1993), footballer
 * Raúl Sanguineti (1933–2000), chess player
 * Gastón Sangoy (born 1984), footballer
 * Alejandro de los Santos (1902—1982), footballer
 * Yamil Silva (born 1996), footballer
 * Damián Steinert (born 1986), footballer
 * Ignacio Verdura (1931–2018), equestrian
 * María Inés Valla (born 1956), engineer
 * Renzo Vera (born 1983), footballer
 * Mariano Werner (born 1988), racing driver