PARAGUAY
The eastern half of Paraguay is divided from the western Chaco region by a river from which the country’s name has been derived. Paraguay is a fascinating medley of the sophisticated and the rustic. On the one hand it appears extremely wealthy and on the other hand pathetically poor. On the road, a Mercedes Benz will find a horse cart running besides it.
Located in the heart of the South American continent, the country covers an area of 157,047 sq miles. Bounded by the South American countries of Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia, it is a land locked nation.
CULTURE, CUSTOMS AND HISTORY OF PARAGUAY
In Paraguay, the blending of the traditional Spanish culture and the native Guarani culture has given a beautiful diversity to its culture. The Indians, who speak Guarani, are the country’s first inhabitants. Some time in the 16th century the first Spanish settlers came there and the mixing of the Guarani and Spanish culture gave rise to Mestizo, a mix of Indian and Spanish descent.
The women in the Paraguayan society do not enjoy an equal status with men. They are mostly home bound, as the culture of the country is quite conservative and primarily male dominated.
The usual form of greeting among women is a kiss on both sides of the cheek, while men all shake hands.
Although marriages are formed through choice, divorce is not a common practice and a marriage, even if shaky, is a once in a life time activity.
Being predominantly a Roman Catholic country, the life and death beliefs follow the Roman Catholic tradition.
Religion, residence, and community affiliation are the indicators of the cultural identities of the people of the country.
GEOGRAPHY
The western region of Chaco is mostly inhospitable and semi arid. Chaco is mainly covered by scrub forests and is flat and infertile, due to which the population is very less here. However, the eastern part of the country is just the opposite and has a rich soil, rolling hills, grassy savannas and semitropical forests.
CLIMATE
The northwestern part of Paraguay has a typical tropical climate. The summers are hot, the winters warm and the rainy season falls in the hottest months between October and March.
The southeastern region of the country has a comparatively milder climate owing to the presence of some areas that are higher in altitude.
LANGUAGES
Paraguay has two official languages, Spanish and Paraguayan Guarani. Guarani is mostly the spoken language of every day life in the country while Spanish mostly is the language of business and government. But Guarani speakers are not necessarily of indigenous decent as Guarani is the language of communication of all citizens irrespective of decent.
CURRENCY AND ECONOMY
Guarani, the currency of Paraguay came into circulation in the middle of the 20th century. One Guarani is made up of 100 centimos, which however, had to be de-issued by the government owing to the high inflation of the economy.
Agriculture and downstream industrial products are the chief sectors of the economy of the country. Being a land locked country its economy is dependant mostly on Brazil and Argentina and the government has negotiated with these neighbors to give the country access to their marine ports.
Paraguay is famous for protecting the interests of their foreign investors.
Although the economy of the country is showing a growing trend, a weak banking system hampers this growth.
THE CAPITAL AND OTHER MAIN CITIES
Asuncion, the Paraguayan capital includes the cities of Fernando de la Mora, San Lorenzo, Luque, Lambare, Nemby, and Mariano Rouque Alonso. Lying on the left side of the river Paraguay, Asuncion has a population of approximately 1.8 million people. It is the business and governmental center of the country, with a literacy rate of 955. The tourist can enjoy the spectacular landscape of the city, and the same time gets the greatest bargains in this cheapest city on the earth.
Some of the other main cities of the country include:
Asuncion, Paraguay
San Lorenzo, Paraguay
Luque, Paraguay
Capiata, Paraguay
Lambare, Paraguay
Fernando de la Mora, Paraguay
Limpio, Paraguay
Nemby, Paraguay
Encarnacion, Paraguay
Mariano Roque Alonso, Paraguay
THINGS TO DO IN PARAGUAY
Though Paraguay does not get as many tourists as do its other South American neighbors but that could be one of the reasons for you to explore this country. Here are some of the things you can do when there:
Take a trip to the one or several of the museums like the National Fine Arts Museum, having 19th-century paintings and colonial works, the Visual Arts Museum, and the Andres Barbero Museum, which houses many works of anthropological value.
If you follow the popular ‘Central Circuit', some 200km (125 miles) long, it will take you through some of the country's many interesting sites
The San Blas festival, which is held in February in Ita and was founded in 1539 by Domingo Martínez, is a wonderful entertainment source. While following the procession, you can taste some traditional delicacies. You can pick up some hand painted black clay Gallinita hens at the fair and take them back as souvenirs for friends and relatives.
If you visit the foothills of the Cordillera de los Altos, you could explore the historic village of Paraguarí.
The holiday centre of Chololo, 87km (54 miles) from the capital offers bungalows on rent, so that you can stay and tour the country in style.
Visit Piribebuy, which witnessed some bloody fighting during the war of the triple alliance and at the same time it is renowned as a place of worship of the ‘Virgin of Miracles'. If you are a shopper, you could buy the Encaje-yú spindle lace, the ‘sixty-stripe' Paraní poncho and other handmade goods.
San Bernardino, a holiday resort situated on Lake Ypacarai, is great to just relax and revive. Take a stroll on its beaches and lake shores or then make use of its camping facilities.
You could participate in the international fishing contests are held near Asunción.
Italpú Dam, the largest hydroelectric complex in the world and one of the seven wonders of the modern world is most worthy of a visit. Fishing, water sports and walking tours are some of the activities you can indulge in there.
All wildlife and nature buff s can visit the beautiful biological reserves in Itabo, Limoy, Tati Yupi or another alternative is visiting the protected forests in Mbaracayu and Nacunday, where hundreds of species of birds and mammals live in a natural habitat.
The waterfalls in Ciudad del Este cannot be given a miss. They are one of the most spectacular sights in the country.
TRAVELING THE COUNTRY
Air travel
LATN and TAM are the two domestic air services. For those visiting the Chaco, air-taxis too are available.
The country is absolutely lacking in rail and water travel.
Road Travel
Road travel is the best option in Paraguay. The roads are in good condition and there is a good network of roads in the country. Bus forms the cheapest means of travel. Taxis and cars for hire, both are readily available.
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
The tourist season which falls in the months of July and August, will see mostly all the hotels in the capital city of Asuncion, fully booked. So it would be advisable to book in advance.
If you are traveling in a group then package tours will include lodgings but if you are traveling alone then you’d have to make your own arrangements.
A very popular way of staying in Paraguay is camping. There are numerous campsites throughout the country for that purpose.
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