Santa María, Paraguay

Santa María de Fe is a town and district located in the Misiones Department in Paraguay, located about 15 km from the city of San Ignacio.

History
Father Emmanuel Berthot founded the town in 1647.

The original church was destroyed by a fire in 1889. Fortunately, many paintings were able to be salvaged and can be admired today in the church and in the museum. In the museum there are many beautiful Baroque paintings and wooden sculptures on show.

In 1787, Rev. José Agustín Molas was born in Santa María de Fe, one of the Catholic priests who took part in the independence revolution on 14 and 15 May 1811. Molas is remembered as one of the heroes who helped liberate Paraguay.

The French explorer and botanist, Amado Aimé Bonpland was detained in Santa María until 1829. Whilst he was there, he taught the local population how to cultivate different plants and methods to produce candies and liquors. He married his wife María, a daughter of a cacique, with whom he had two children.

Geography
The district of Santa María de Fe is located in the Eastern Region of Paraguay. It's located 253 km south of Asuncion, the capital of the country, one arrives at Santa Maria, taking the National Route Number 1, and then taking a detour between the cities of San Ignacio and Santa Rosa.

Limits
The district of Santa María is bordered by the following districts:
 * North: district of San Miguel and the department of Caazapá
 * East: district of Santa Rosa
 * South: districts of San Ignacio and Santa Rosa
 * West: San Ignacio

Demography
According to the 2002 Census, Santa María has a total population of 7,385 inhabitants, of which 1,981 lives in the urban area of the district.