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Republic of
2014
Paraguay
República del Paraguay
The word Guaraní can describe Paraguay’s language, money, or native peoples.
The full name of Paraguay’s capital is quite a mouthful—Nuestra Señora Santa María de la Asunción (Our Lady
Saint Mary of the Assumption)—but most people just call it Asunción.
The world’s largest rodent, the capybara, lives in Paraguay. It can grow to be 4.5 feet (1.3 m) long and looks like a
giant guinea pig.
In 1900, about half of the country’s land was owned by just 79 people.
The gallopa is a famous Paraguayan folk dance performed by women balancing bottles on their heads. The
bottles may be attached to each other, but they are not attached to the dancer’s head. Some women can balance
as many as seven bottles on their heads while they dance.
People thought that the giant peccary (a furry, pig-like animal that can weigh up to 90 pounds [40 kg]) had been
extinct for thousands of years until 1972, when giant peccaries were discovered living in Paraguay. Before then,
scientists had only found fossils of the animal.
Flag
The flag of Paraguay was most recently adopted on 27 November 1842. Unlike most
flags, Paraguay’s flag is different on the front and the back. Both sides have three
stripes. Red stands for justice, white for peace, and blue for liberty. On the front is the
national coat of arms with a star that stands for the nation and palm and olive branches
that symbolize unity and peace. On the back is a picture of a yellow lion with the words
“peace” and “justice” above it.
National Image
Paraguay’s national coat of arms appears on the flag. In the center is a star, which
stands for Paraguay as a nation. The palm and olive branches stand for unity and
peace. Paraguay’s first national emblem was adopted in 1812, soon after the nation
gained independence from Spain. This original emblem was based on the Spanish flag.
Eventually, Paraguayans changed their coat of arms to reflect their independence.
Land and Climate
Area (sq. mi.): 157,048
Area (sq. km.): 406,752
Paraguay is a little bit smaller than Iraq or the state of California. Paraguay is
sometimes called “an island surrounded by land” because, unlike most other South
American countries, Paraguay is landlocked (none of its borders touch the ocean).
Paraguay was hard for early visitors to get to because most people came to South
America by boat, and Paraguay is located in the center of the continent. The Río
Paraguay (Paraguay River) divides the country in two. East of the river, the land is
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fertile and green. Most of the population lives in this part of the country. West of the
river, the land is dry and hard to farm, and the climate is hot. Northwest Paraguay is
desert.
Because Paraguay is south of the equator, the seasons are opposite those in the
Northern Hemisphere. The warm season is from September to April, and the cool, rainy
season is from May to August.
Population
Population: 6,623,252
About 95 percent of the population is mestizo, of mixed Spanish and native Paraguayan
ancestry. Although Paraguayans are proud of their heritage and history, people with full
native heritage are often treated unfairly. They usually live in poorer areas and are less
educated than those of mixed ancestry. The biggest native Paraguayan group is the
Guaraní, but there are many other, smaller tribes too.
In the past, Paraguay’s population was very small because many were killed in wars
with other countries and the country’s borders were closed to immigration. In the last
hundred years, Paraguay has encouraged immigration to increase its population. Now
there are immigrants from places like Spain, Japan, Italy, Portugal, Germany, and other
South American countries. Some of Paraguay’s immigrants, such as Germans and
Italians, have become part of the culture in Paraguay. Others, like people from Asia and
the Middle East, live mostly apart from the rest of the culture.
Language
Paraguay has two official languages: Spanish and Guaraní. Spanish is the language
commonly used in government, business, and education, but in everyday life most
people speak Guaraní, the language of the native Paraguayans. Paraguay is one of the
only countries in Latin America to make one of its native languages an official language
of the country. Outside of cities, some people speak only Guaraní, but most
Paraguayans speak or understand Spanish too. Paraguayans mix many Guaraní words
with Spanish, and, as a result, many of their words are different from those of other
Spanish-speaking countries.
Can You Say It in Guaraní?
Hello
Mba'éichapa
(mb-AH-eish-pa)
Good-bye
Jajohech apeve
(jaj-OH-hesh AH-peve)
Yes
Hee
(hee)
No
Nahániri
(nah-AN-eri)
Please
Ikatupa
(ikat-OO-pa)
Thank you
Aguijetaite
(awej-EEt-ite)
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Religion
About 90 percent of Paraguayans are Roman Catholic. Catholic rituals and holidays are important to Paraguayan
society, but not as much as in most other Latin American countries. For much of Paraguay’s history, Catholicism was
not as prominent because bishops had a hard time getting to the area and some of Paraguay’s dictators limited the
practice of Catholicism. The Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, is especially important to Paraguayans. They place
pictures of her in churches, homes, and even cars and buses. Crosses are also common religious decorations. In the
countryside, people mix Christian beliefs and traditional beliefs. For example, although most Paraguayans who live
outside cities are Roman Catholic, they may still fear the evil spirits from Guaraní folklore and perform rituals that they
believe will protect them.
Time Line
7000 BC
7000 BC
Ancient peoples settle in what is now Paraguay
1500
1524
Portuguese explorer Alejo Garcia becomes the first European to enter
Paraguay
1526
Sebastian Cabot explores Paraguay and reports back to Spain that
there may be riches there
1535
Spain officially claims Paraguay
1537
The Spanish found the city of Asunción
1600
1609
Spanish Jesuits (Roman Catholic missionaries) begin converting
Guaraní (the native Paraguayans) to Roman Catholicism
1610
The Jesuits establish the first reducciones, missions where Guaraní
who had converted to Christianity lived and worked
1700
1767
King Charles III of Spain forces the Jesuits to leave Paraguay, fearing
that they will try to establish a separate country
1776
Spain makes Paraguay part of the Vice-royalty of La Plata, whose
capital is Buenos Aires, Argentina
1800
1811
Paraguay gains independence from Spain
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1814
Paraguay’s first dictator, José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia, comes to
power
1864
The War of the Triple Alliance begins when Brazilian troops invade
Paraguay’s neighbor Uruguay; Paraguay sends troops to attack Brazil
1870
The war ends; Paraguay has lost over half of its population and large
amounts of land
1900
1932
Paraguay and Bolivia begin the Chaco War over the Chaco area in
western Paraguay, which both countries claim
1935
The Chaco War ends and Paraguay gains territory from Bolivia; almost
90,000 people are killed in this war
1954
General Alfredo Stroessner takes control of the government, beginning
more than 30 years of dictatorships
1989
Andres Rodriguez overthrows Stroessner and is then elected
president
1992
A new constitution takes effect, reducing the power of the president
and establishing Guaraní as one of the country’s official languages
1993
Paraguay’s first free elections take place
2000
2002
People throughout the country stage a protest demanding that the
government take control of the country’s weak economy
2007
The government declares a state of emergency first when dengue
fever breaks out and then again when wildfires destroy 250,000 acres
(100,000 ha) of land
2008
Former bishop Fernando Lugo wins the presidential election, making
him the first president in 61 years not representing the Colorado
political party
2011
Paraguayans approve a constitutional change giving the vote to the
large number of citizens living abroad
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PRESENT
Early Paraguay
The early Paraguayans left no written records of their civilization, but archaeologists have found carvings on cave walls
and rocks that they are able to study to learn more about these early peoples. The people lived in tribes and grew
crops like corn, beans, sweet potatoes, cotton, tobacco, pumpkins, coconuts, and papayas. They also hunted, fished,
and gathered wild fruits. When the first Europeans arrived in the 16th century, they mixed freely with the Paraguayans,
learning their language and customs and sometimes having children with the women. These children were the first
Paraguayan mestizos, people with both native and Spanish ancestry.
In the 1600s, Jesuit missionaries began to teach many tribes about Catholicism. They set up reducciones, missions
where Paraguayans who converted to Christianity lived and worked. These settlements were almost totally
self-sufficient. The people raised their own crops and animals, grew cotton to make clothing, and even printed their
own schoolbooks. The reducciones ran well until 1767, when the Spanish threw the Jesuits out because they were
worried the Jesuits would attempt to establish their own country inside Paraguay. Soon the reducciones were
abandoned, and the tribes went back to their lives in the forest.
Independence to Dictatorship
In 1776, Spain made Paraguay part of a territory whose capital was Buenos Aires,
Argentina. The Paraguayans did not approve of being governed by Buenos Aires, and
they were unhappy with the high taxes they paid to the Spanish. They rebelled, and in
1811, Paraguay became an independent country.
The first leader was José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia. He was the first in Paraguay’s
long line of dictators (absolute rulers). Francia believed that to create an organized
society, people had to give up many freedoms. He closed schools, post offices, and
newspapers. He also sent out a force of secret police to spy on citizens and report
those who disagreed with him. When Francia lost power, he was followed by more
dictators. The government changed so often that between 1870 and 1932, there were
over 30 different presidents—about one every two years! During this time, the country
was very unstable. No one knew who would be the next leader and what that person
would do with the country.
Conflicts with Neighbors
While Paraguayans fought among themselves for control of the government, the
country also began fighting the War of the Triple Alliance against Brazil, Argentina, and
Uruguay. In 1864, Paraguay became nervous when Brazil invaded Paraguay’s
neighbor Uruguay. When Paraguay attacked, Uruguay and Argentina joined sides with
Brazil. Paraguay was greatly outnumbered, and by the time the war ended, over half of
the citizens of Paraguay had been killed and the country had lost much of its territory.
In 1932, Paraguay and Bolivia began fighting over the Chaco area in western
Paraguay. Both countries wanted control of this land because of the possibility of
valuable oil and gas being found there. Although Paraguay won and gained control over
more territory, many Paraguayans were killed and the country became even more
disorganized.
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Trying out Democracy
Finally, the government stopped changing hands in 1954 when General Alfredo
Stroessner established a dictatorship that would last 35 years. Although this made the
country more stable, Paraguayans did not have a say in their government, and many of
their leaders were dishonest and corrupt. In 1989, the government was overthrown, and
Andres Rodríguez was elected president. He changed some of the strict laws and gave
Paraguayans more freedom. This marked the beginning of Paraguay’s turn towards
democracy (government by the people). It continued in 1992, when Paraguay adopted
a more democratic constitution that spread the government’s power between many
people instead of having it just with the president. The next year, Paraguayans elected
their first president under the new constitution. Paraguayans are hopeful that they can
overcome their history of dictatorships and establish democracy and freedom for all
citizens.
Games and Sports
Paraguayan kids like to play soccer, volleyball, tennis, and basketball in their free time. Soccer is the favorite sport, and
matches take place wherever and whenever kids can get together to play. They also gather to watch soccer on
television or listen to the games on the radio, especially when their favorite teams are playing. In the past, girls didn’t
play sports because it wasn’t considered proper, but now they have started to participate a lot more. Girls also like to
play a game called tikichuelas, which is similar to jacks except instead of a ball they use a fruit called guavira and
instead of jacks they use rocks. Kids who live near rivers like to swim and fish.
Holidays
Virgin of Caacupé Day is an important Catholic holiday honoring the Virgin Mary.
People travel from all parts of Paraguay to the city of Caacupé, which many consider to
be Paraguay’s spiritual capital. In honor of the holiday, people make a pilgrimage
(religious journey) to the city from wherever they live, sleeping on straw mats on the
ground at night. On 8 December, a special mass is held in Caacupé’s famous
cathedral. The mass goes all day and sometimes all night too. During this mass, people
hope to receive guidance for the year to come. For many Catholics, this is the most
important holiday of the year.
Semana Santa (Holy Week, the week before Easter) is a time for family gatherings.
Most people don’t work or go to school during this week. There are religious parades
through the streets, especially outside cities, and some people go to mass each day.
On the Saturday before Easter, people attend mass, and there is a ceremony in which
the priest washes the feet of the poorest people, just as Jesus did in one of the stories
in the Bible.
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Food
For breakfast, Paraguayans usually have some type of bread and cocido (a hot drink
made of a tea called mate, sugar, and milk), coffee, or hot chocolate. Lunch is the most
important meal in Paraguay, and families often eat it together. Dinner is frequently
served after dark when work is finished. It is important to Paraguayans that their food is
made from fresh ingredients. Packaged or canned foods are rarely used. The most
common foods are mandioca (a root vegetable prepared in many different ways), guiso
(a stew made with red meat, rice, or noodles), caldo (a soup made with vegetables and
meat or beans), milanesas (marinated beef or chicken), sopa Paraguaya (cornbread
baked with cheese, onions, and sometimes meat), chipa (hard cheese bread), tortillas,
and empanadas (deep-fried meat or vegetable pockets). Families in the countryside
grow small gardens with tomatoes, onions, carrots, garlic, squash, watermelon,
cabbage, and other produce.
Schools
Adult Literacy: 94%
Public school is free, but students must buy their own uniforms and supplies. Schools are often crowded. Lessons are
usually taught in Spanish, which can be hard for kids from the countryside who mostly speak Guaraní. Paraguayan
kids study reading, grammar, science, and math. Some schools offer art classes, sports, and music lessons, but many
schools cannot even afford to buy books. In these schools, the teacher usually writes the information on the board and
students copy it down into their notebooks. Most children start school, but just over half finish all nine years of
elementary school. After that, some students go to secondary (high) school, which is another three years. Often there
are not jobs for people who finish school, so they end up working in the fields or they go to other countries to find work.
Only about 5 percent of Paraguayans go to college.
Life as a Kid
Kids in Paraguay spend their time differently depending on where they live. Kids in the
countryside spend a lot of time playing outside. They make up games to play or find
ways to make their own toys. Rural (countryside) families are often poor, so the kids
usually spend some of their time helping earn money for the family. City kids have more
opportunities for entertainment but usually don’t get to play outside as much as kids in
the country. City schools might have more supplies and better teachers.
Many kids in Paraguay spend their free time playing sports and games. Wherever and
whenever they can, they play games like soccer, basketball, volleyball, and handball.
Marbles, ping pong, and chess are also popular. Boys usually play sports more than
girls do because girls often have more responsibilities at home and more rules from
their parents.
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Government
Capital: Asunción
Head of State: Pres. Horacio Cartes
Head of Government: Pres. Horacio Cartes
Paraguay is divided into 17 departamentos (similar to states). The capital city is
separate. Each departmento is led by a governor. The 1992 constitution spread power
between different groups instead of allowing the president to make all decisions. The
president and vice president are elected by the people and can only be elected once.
Laws are made by the Chamber of Senators (with 45 members) and the Chamber of
Deputies (with 80 members). Paraguay’s Supreme Court is made up of nine judges
who decide if Paraguay’s laws follow the constitution. The court’s decisions are final.
The voting age is 18, and all adults under the age of 75 are required by law to vote.
Money and Economy
Currency: Guaraní
Paraguay’s economy is based on agriculture. People in the countryside grow cotton or
soybeans to sell. Paraguay also sells large amounts of beef to other countries. People
often go to other countries to work because they can make more money there, sending
what they can home to their families in Paraguay. There aren’t many natural resources
in the country, and one of them, wood, is quickly being used up. Paraguay has taken
advantage of its rivers by generating hydroelectric power, which supplies more than
enough electricity for the country. Even though the government is working to improve
the economy, most of the country is still controlled by a small number of wealthy
people, while the rest remain poor. Many are uneducated and are unable to find jobs.
Getting Around
Paraguay has some paved highways, but many roads are not paved. Most people use
buses to get around. These buses are sometimes crowded, and people who have seats
will often offer to hold packages or children for strangers who are standing. Wealthy
people who live in the cities and the countryside have cars or motorcycles. People in
the countryside often walk or drive carts pulled by horses or oxen. They also ride
horses, bicycles, or motorcycles. In Asunción people frequently take streetcars to get
around the city.
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Exotic Wildlife
When early explorers arrived in Paraguay, they were astonished at the animals that
they found. They were especially amazed by the tapir, an animal about the size of a
cow but with a short trunk similar to an elephant’s. The explorers returned home with
stories of an animal that was part elephant, part cow, and part horse. Another exotic
animal is one of the tapir’s main predators, the jaguar, a cousin of the leopard. The
jaguar was a common character in native Paraguayan legends and was often
considered the king of the forest. Its spotted coat helps it blend in with the forest.
Although tapirs are one of its favorite prey, the jaguar also eats caimans (animals
similar to crocodiles) and fish that it catches in the water. Another dangerous
Paraguayan animal is the piranha. They may be small, but a group of these fish can
finish off an entire cow in about 30 minutes! Their name comes from a Guaraní word
that means “tooth fish.” Explorers also found armadillos in Paraguay. In Spanish, the
word armadillo means “little armored one.” The animals are named for the bony shell
that covers their bodies, including their tails. They are the only animals alive today with
this kind of protection.
Today some of Paraguay’s animals are threatened by hunting and changing habitats.
New steps are being taken to protect animals and their habitats before it’s too late.
Learn More
Contact the Embassy of Paraguay, 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; phone (202) 483-6960;
web site www.embaparusa.gov.py.
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