Editing Alto Paraná (section)

== History ==

In colonial times, there were several settlements established in this area. The most important of these being Ontiveros, Ciudad Real, and [[Villarrica, Paraguay|Villa Rica del Espíritu Santo]]. Nevertheless, these villages did not initially prosper due to the constant attacks of the [[Bandeirantes]].

By the end of the 17th century and beginnings of the 18th century, many populations settled in this area due to the promising [[logging]] economy. These urban centers organized around military bases that served to defend them against the attacks of the Bandeirantes. Some of these cities exist into the present day, such as: Villa [[Curuguaty]], [[Ygatimi]], [[Caaguazú District|Caaguazú]], [[Lima (Paraguay)|Lima]] and [[Coronel Oviedo|Ajos]].

After the [[Paraguayan War|War against the Triple Alliance]], these lands were sold, creating large states in which the most important economic activities were the exploitation of the local forests and the cultivation of [[yerba mate]]. During the [[Paraguayan War|War Against the Triple Alliance]] many of the men of Paraguay died, and to make up for population loss, European/Middle Eastern and East Asian men immigrated to the nation. In this region, many descendants of Poles, Ukrainians, and Japanese people are found demographically similar to the neighboring Brazilian state of [[Paraná (state)|Paraná]]. There was also settlement of Brazilian from the South of Brazil, most of the people were white Brazilians of Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, German, Eastern European, Arabic blood. And Also Japanese Brazilians and Brazilians of mixed race.

By the end of the 19th century, it was a very active port known as Tacurú Pucú, which means "high termite mound". This port was used for the transport of lumber, through the Paraná River, to Encarnación, and from Encarnación to facilitate the trade of food and textiles.
After the TRI

The department, as it is today, was created in 1945.

In 1990, the department's structure was officially established.