Central Department, Administrative department in southeastern Paraguay
Central Department is an administrative division in southeastern Paraguay that forms the hinterland around the capital Asunción and includes nineteen municipalities. The towns and cities spread out around the capital region and extend into agricultural zones at the edges.
The division was created in 1935 from settlements that had served as military posts and religious centers during Spanish colonial rule. Places like Luque evolved from these colonial villages into modern towns.
In Areguá, artisans work with clay and ceramics using methods passed down across generations. Other towns throughout the area hold their own festivals that bring together neighbors and strengthen local ties.
Luque hosts Silvio Pettirossi International Airport, serving as the main entry point for travelers arriving in Paraguay. Regional highways connect the area to neighboring departments and the capital.
The area is home to roughly one third of Paraguay's entire population, making it the most densely settled region in the country. Population clusters tightly around the capital.
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