Alvear, Corrientes


Alvear is a town in Corrientes Province, Argentina. It is the capital of the General Alvear Department. It is located at the mouth of the Aguapey River, along the Uruguay River, which separates it from the Brazilian city of Itaqui, with which is closely related. It is accessed via the RN 14 or the General Urquiza railway. It is located roughly 800 km north of Buenos Aires, 250 km south of Posadas and 440 km from Corrientes. According to the 2001 population census conducted by INDEC its population was 7917 inhabitants.

Etymology

The town was officially founded in 1863, in the shadow of the "Ombú Protector", a tree that is immortalized in the community coat of arms. The name is believed to derive from General Carlos de Alvear, who was born in the province of Corrientes and was honored by the members of Congress by naming the fledgling town Alvear after him. It is also said that Don Diego de Alvear, father of Carlos María, lived some years in the Itaqui pass, and that this also contributed to the imposition of the name.

Notable institutions

Also of note are the four schools of samba, 'Pilmayken, Yasí Berá, Halcones For Ever and Itá Berá.'