POSADAS

city, capital of Misiones province, Argentina, bordered (north and east) by the Ro Paran, which separates it from Encarnacin, Paraguay. The settlement originated as a Paraguayan trading post and river port, known as Trinchera de los Paraguayos (Trench of the Paraguayans). In 1869, during the Paraguayan War (War of the Triple Alliance), however, the name was changed to Trinchera de San Jos. In 1879 the city was named after the national hero, Gervasio Antonio Posadas (1757-1833). An administrative centre, with a substantial portion of its population working in public service, Posadas is also important for manufacture of wood and iron products. A ferry between Posadas and Encarnacin links Argentinian and Paraguayan railways. Pop. (1980 prelim.) 139,941.