History of Paraguay – A land locked nation in S central South America, bounded on the N and NW by Bolivia; on the NE and E by Brazil; and on the SE, S, and W by Argentina. Paraguay’s national beverage is mate. Paraguay is the world’s sixth-largest soybean producer, the second-largest tung oil producer, the second-largest stevia producer, sixth-largest corn exporter, seventh-largest beef exporter and fourteenth-largest wheat exporter. An ancient cure, it was one of the primary medicines of the Incas. Culture. 1. However, three dictators governed it during the first 60 years of independence. 14. (Source: Chicago Tribune) 8. Paraguay food is based on a few basic staples: manioc, cornmeal and cheese. Indians speaking Guaraní—the most common language in Paraguay today, after Spanish—were the country's first inhabitants. Instead, people announce their arrival by clapping their hands. In 1537, Asuncion, Paraguay's modern capital, was founded by Juan de Salazar, a Spanish explorer. In Paraguayan culture, godparents are often people who are financially better off than the actual parents and are expected to help provide financial support to their godchildren. 16. Nowhere else in South America can tourists find a hardier and well-lived people. Their navy is the largest of any land-locked country in the world. Paraguay has a rich and vibrant culture that is a blend of native Amerindian and Spanish cultures. Nanduti (meaning “spiderweb”) is beautiful lace created in circular designs and found in a rainbow of various colors. © 2020 TheFactFile.Org. Situated on the border with Brazil, the dam is owned by both countries. There are learned societies concerned with Paraguayan and Guaraní history and culture as well as various other societies and research institutes. All Rights Reserved. Paraguay people value art and music above all other hobbies and there’s many traditions based heavily in these pastimes. In some jungle areas, they walk long distances, especially during hunting expeditions. Paraguay is home to the world’s largest rodent called the Capybara, which is basically a giant guinea pig. Paraguay is full of culture. 7. Cassava (or mandioca) is baked with cheeses to make the thick bread known as Chipa. Paraguay’s literacy rate is higher than that of the United States. Business appointments often begin 10 to 20 minutes late. The lovely nanduti lace is known across the world. Endangered animals include the jaguar, harpy eagle, red parrot, giant armadillo and anteater (jurumi). According to former president Juan Natalicio Gonzalez, it means “river of the habitants of the sea.”. Below are some interesting, funny and unusual facts about Paraguay’s history, culture, famous people, literacy rate, imports and exports, popular sports, animals, natural resources, wildlife and national parks, economy, tourism and much more. Exploring Paraguayan Culture. Local favorites in Paraguay include sopa paraguaya and chipa. William E. Barrett wrote: "Paraguay is the country of prophecy. In larger cities, the markets are stocked with fresh bell peppers, onions and corn crops every day. Today, 95 percent of Paraguay’s people are mestizos, descendants of those Spanish men and Guarana women. Some Guaraní songs and poems have made their way into the popular culture of the Paraguayans. Local Paraguay art is mostly based on embroidery and music. Lapacho (or Taheebo) comes from the inner bark of Purple or Red Lapacho trees and is used in herbal medicines and as tea. Paraguay has two official languages, Spanish and Guaraní. We've pulled together a few interesting facts about Paraguay's geography, history and culture, and have a complete set of flag printables - including jigsaw, notebooking pages, colouring page and bookmarks - for you to enjoy. Guarani is mostly spoken in smaller towns/communities, especially by the elderly people. They are also very hard-working and accustomed to government and political turmoil. Other traditional folk arts are embroidered cloth, black clay work and ceramics, and gorgeous silver jewelry in filigree designs. Homes here don't have doorbells. Godparents in Paraguay are given great respect, and are often expected to return financial support and patronage to their godchildren. 9. The native Guarana people were living in Paraguay long before the arrival of the Spanish in the early 1600s. Yerba mate, which is related to common holly, is cultivated on plantations. Due in large part to Paraguay’s first dictator, Jose Gaspar Rodriguez de Francia, who only allowed colonial citizens to marry blacks, natives, and mulattoes, creating a predominately Mestizo race. 7. Facts about the Paraguay’s people Roughly 90% of Paraguay’s population is of Mestizo descent. The Itaipu Dam on the Parana River produces almost all of Paraguay’s electricity. 17. Paraguay’s cultures and traditions are mixture of European and Guarani. Other indigenous heritages are its traditional 38-string harp music and the traditional bottle dance, performed with dancers twirling bottles around their heads. And then came the Spanish, who built Asunción in 1537 and established an overseas province called Paraguay. Family is the center of the Paraguay culture. Paraguay’s main culture is derived from its Spanish colonial roots and traditional Guarani native customs. The language of Guarani is completely different from Spanish. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. In 1811, Paraguay gained independence from Spain. 8. Paraguayans may be late, but visitors are expected to be punctual for business meetings. Leryn Franco is a javelin thrower who participated in three different Olympic games and was also featured in the 2011 ‘Sports Illustrated’ “Swimsuit Edition.”. Paraguay still honors Hayes, and there is a local soccer club named after him, Club Presidente Hayes. Paraguay’s name is said to mean “crowned river” after the Guarani words for water and palm crown. History of Paraguay Like much of South America, the territory of present day Paraguay was once a stomping ground for semi-nomadic indigenous tribes, who jostled for space and resources in the region for thousands of years. The day’s main meal is eaten at noon. Men and women wear the poncho, and women wear shawls called rebozos. 2. The Guaraní culture is strongly represented through folk art and festivals, and Guaraní was designated an official language of … 11. There are two languages most common in Paraguay, one is spanish and one is an Indian language called Guarani. Personal relationships are more important than business relationships. The Paraná River, which runs through Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina is South America’s second-longest river after the more famous Amazon River. As a result, 93% of Paraguay’s population is a mix of European and Guarani background. This makes Paraguay’s population the most homogenous in South America. Young Paraguay adults tend to have more Westernized views as the Internet and television make an impact on Paraguay’s cultural evolution. When it is served chilled, it is called tereré. Paraguay also has many boa constrictors and crocodiles, and even some piranha, as well. Corn is used in Paraguayan soup (sopa paraguaya), Bori bori soup and other dishes. As a result of the intermarriages between the male Spanish settlers with the indigenous Guarani females, over 90% of the country’s population is mestizos. Paraguay’s principal cultural institutions are located in Asunción. While there’s not an official social caste in Paraguay, there’s a very defined line between the poorer farming class and the economically richer business class. New parents in Paraguay view this as a custom protecting their children from financial ruin in the event of their death. The vast majority of the population (95 percent) shares a Paraguayan identity, but several other cultural identities exist. 7. The name comes from the native words, in the Guarani language, for spider and fabric. The … 80% of people in Paraguay are bilingual, speaking Spanish and the native Guarani language. It is imbibed through a metal drinking straw called a bombilla. The name "Paraguay" derives from the river that divides the eastern half of the nation from the western Chaco region. Christian holidays are major events in Paraguay, especially Christmas. Many people in Paraguay blend traditional clothing styles with Western styles, according to Safari the Globe. It even defines marriage. – Source. •Traditional clothing worn by Paraguayans are similar to the Latin American nations, though the women favor brighter colors. A big part of the Paraguay culture is occupied by fine laces and embroidery. The Paraguay people place family above all else – including government and state loyalty. Useful when you are learning about the country, or perhaps supporting Paraguay in a sporting occasion! Corporate Culture. Paraguay’s tumultuous history since the 1600s has led to the development of a very diverse and non-Westernized culture. A culturally significant practice surrounding family is the Paraguay concept of godparents. Famous Paraguayan athletes are Jose Luis Chilavert of football (soccer) and Rossana De Los Rios (tennis). The indigenous population is composed of seventeen ethnic groups from five linguistic families. As a result, 93% of Paraguay’s population is a mix of European and Guarani background. •The traditional food in Paraguay are grilled ribs, yuca, chipa, sopa Paraguayan, chipa guazu, locro, poroto, yopara. As of 1 January 2016, the population of Paraguay was estimated to be 6,683,941 people. Iguacu Falls, spanning the Iguacu River, is made up of more than 275 individual waterfall cascades, is taller than Niagara Falls, and is twice its width. In Paraguay, pistol duelling is still legal as long as both parties are registered blood donors. Mate (pronounced “mahtay”) is often served hot. The earliest inhabitants of Paraguay were semi-nomadic tribes that spoke Guarani. However, the participants must have registered as blood … The majority of Paraguay's seven million people are mestizo, and Guarani culture remains widely influential; more than 90% of the population speak various dialects of the Guarani language alongside Spanish. 19. Two staples of the Paraguayan diet are corn and cassava, a starchy root vegetable. This is one of the country’s unifying strengths. Legal Dueling. 5. More Uruguay animals include brown wolves, foxes, tapirs and more than 1000 species of birds. Paraguay’s citizens age 15 and older … The South American country of Paraguay, one of the two landlocked nations in the continent, is home to a population of 7,025,763 individuals. Guide to travel, doing business, and studying in Paraguay - culture, greetings, gestures, etiquette, taboos, negotiations, gift-giving, and more. – Source. Ethnicity, Language, and Religion in Paraguay The name refers to Paraguay’s location in the center of the South American continent. Paraguay is known to have a history of ‘blood and tears’, yet through it all Paraguayans remain incredibly proud people, displaying strong signs of unity throughout their culture. Sebastian Cabot, in the service of Spain, explored the Paraguay River in 1527, hoping it would lead him to Peru. Fishing is as popular as football. Family traditions define a Paraguayan’s social standing in society. The music includes polkas and galopas. Though Paraguay is a land-locked country with no border on the ocean, it has a well-trained navy. 12. The embroidery is complex and taught to children, especially girls, at a very young age. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Tourists are often invited to plays and musicals put on by locals and celebrated throughout both city and countryside. There are societies concerned with Paraguayan and Guaraní history and culture as well as various other societies and research institutes. e The history of Paraguay is a result of development and interaction of varying cultures of indigenous peoples in Paraguay and overseas immigrants who together have created the modern-day Paraguay. A good deal of them also speak Jopara, which is a mix of Spanish and Guarani. Paraguay Facts and Culture What is Paraguay famous for? In 1526 and again in 1529, Sebastian Cabot explored Paraguay when he sailed up the Paraná and Paraguay rivers. Paraguay is a country with great natural beauty and friendly people, but is one of the least visited in South America. The people of Paraguay enjoy sports, including football (soccer), rugby, tennis, and volleyball. In the 1600s, most Spaniards who arrived from Europe inter-married with the native women. Paraguay’s main culture is derived from its Spanish colonial roots and traditional Guarani native customs. These can often be seen in the clothes that people wear. Naturally, this is one of my favourite interesting facts about Paraguay. 3. Paraguay is the only country worldwide whose national flag has different emblems on each side. Over half of Paraguayans work in agriculture and forestry. The skill and craft is passed down through the generations. The Guaranís in Paraguay live along streams and use bamboo rafts, or occasionally canoes, for transportation. Paraguay culture places special emphasis on being welcoming to tourists and visitors. Paraguay’s principal cultural institutions are located in Asunción. As many as 210 football stadiums could be built with the same amount of concrete as was used to build the Itaipu Dam. Paraguay celebrates Independence Day on May 15, from 1811 to now. Connections are more important than expertise. 10. Dueling is legal in Paraguay. History of Paraguay . Despite a history of poverty and political repression, Paraguay often ranks as the "world's happiest place" based on global polling data. 18. In the 1600s, most Spaniards who arrived from Europe inter-married with the native women. The Guirani language, spoken widely in Paraguay, is one of the largest spoken indigenous languages in South America. Paraguay is just a little smaller than the state of California. Paraguay’s literacy rate is higher than that of the United States. The country’s Coat of Arms is on the front and its Treasury Seal is on the back with its motto, ‘Paz y Justica’ (Peace and Justice). 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