Corrientes is the capital city of the province of Corrientes, Argentina, located on the eastern shore of the Paraná River, about 1,000 km from Buenos Aires and 300 km from Posadas, on National Route 12. It has a population of 328,689 according to the 2001 Census. Corrientes, as the provincial capital, is the most important city in the province, its economical centre, and holds the authorities and governmental institutions. It has a mix of colonial and modern architecture, several churches and a number of lapacho, ceibo, jacaranda, and orange trees. Its also home to one of the biggest carnival celebrations in the country.