Oberá

Oberá is the capital of the department Oberá in the center of the province of Misiones in northeast Argentina. With 55 493 inhabitants (2001, INDEC ) is the second largest city of the province.

Location

Oberá is located about 20 kilometers west of Uruguay in the midst of a lush sub-tropical rainforest hill country. In the area there are many streams, but no water-rich rivers. The climate is subtropical and humid, with hot summers and moderately warm winters.

History

Oberá is a young city. From 1913, immigrants from various countries of Europe, including Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland and Portugal began to settle in the area, who had entered from Brazil. They gave the place its name Oberá. From the city's official foundation in 1928 more immigrants, mainly from Eastern Europe were added. Later, also isolated Asian and African families settled in Oberá, so that today can claim the inhabitants of law, they are descendants of more than 70 nations. The city is celebrating the Fiesta Nacional del Inmigrante (German National Festival of the immigrant ) each year. The festival is the largest of its kind in Argentina and was celebrated for the 40th time in 2010.

Attractions

Structures

The various immigrant groups gave Oberá a private, multi-cultural and stylistically diverse cityscape. The Church of the Immaculate Conception was modeled on the Ukrainian- Persian style. Another church, San Antonio, however, is attributable to the German Expressionism.

Museums and parks

The Natural History Museum Florentino Ameghino ( Named after Florentino Ameghino ) provides information about the flora and fauna of the subtropical rain forest. The best-known parks include the Parque de las Naciones and the Bird Garden Jardín de los Pájaros Wendlinger.

Economy

Oberá is the center of a vast area with Yerba Mate cultivation. Moreover, it is the industrial center and the most important commercial center of the entire East of the province of Misiones.