PARAGUAYYou have to feel it!

Dela Cruz, Harriett MarieEcaldre, Mary RoseGarcia, Joanna KarolJagunap, Ferby MargaEstanislao, Armand KennethOlaso, DonnalynBarrion, Jan BrianBalitaan, Carmela AlyssaBautista, Joshuel Neolle

OFFICIAL SEAL OF PARAGUAY

LOCATIONKnown as the “Heart of America”

Where is Paraguay?Paraguay is a

landlocked country located in the center of the southern half of the

continent. 

What is the capital of Paraguay?

Asuncion is the capital of Paraguay and is one

of the oldest cities in South America. It is the

industrial and cultural center of the country, and has an estimated

population of 680,250. 

GEOGRAPHY

Location: Central South America, northeast of Argentina

Geographic coordinates:

23 00 S, 58 00 W

Map references:

South America

Area: total: 406,750 sq km land: 397,300 sq km water: 9,450 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than California

Land boundaries:

total: 3,920 km border countries: Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km,

Brazil 1,290 km

REGIONS

Paraná Plateau The forested highlands in Paraguay's east, along the Paraná River, home to the second largest city of Ciudad del Este, just over the river from Iguaçu Falls.

Northern Paraneña 

Southern Paraneña Home to the population center of the country, in and around Asunción.

Gran Chaco The large, wild, semi-arid plains in the northwest of the country.

CURRENCY

Guarani, PYG

CLIMATESubtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west

TERRAIN

grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran Chaco region west of Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain near the river, and dry forest and thorny scrub elsewhere

PARAGUAY RIVER

The Paraguay River is a

major river in south central

South America, running through

Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and 

Argentina.

NATURAL RESOURCES

HydropowerTimberIron oreManganeseLimestone

NATURAL HAZARDSlocal flooding in southeast (early September to

June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)

deforestation; water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposal pose health risks for many urban residents; loss of wetlands

ENVIRONMENT – CURRENT ISSUES

FAUNA

200 species of fish645 species of birds167 types of mammals

FLORA

Chaco, semi-arid, thorny vegetation predominates in the westSub-tropical forests in the northeastSavannah with certain species such as the caranda’y, in the southeast. 

POPULATION

6,347,884 (July 2005 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Paraguayan(s) adjective: Paraguayan

Ethnic groups:

mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%, other 5%

Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Mennonite and other Protestant 10%

Languages:

Spanish (official), Guarani (official)

Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write 

total population: 94% male: 94.9% 

female: 93% (2003 est.)

PEOPLE

GermansJapaneseKoreansethnic ChineseArabs, Braziliansand Argentines

are among those who have settled in Paraguay. 

GOVERNMENTCountry

name:conventional long form: Republic of

Paraguay conventional short form: Paraguay 

local long form: Republica del Paraguay local short form: Paraguay

Government type:

constitutional republic

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

1525—Portuguese explorer Alejo Garcia

visits Paraguay.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

1811—Paraguay becomes independent.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

1865–70—Paraguay loses over half of its population

and large tracts of land in war with Argentina,

Brazil and Uruguay over sea access.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

1954—General Alfredo Stroessner seizes power in coup, ushering in

more than 30 years of ruthless dictatorship.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

2004 August—More than 420 killed in Asuncion shopping centre

fire. Three days of national mourning declared.

CULTURE

Paraguay culture is highly influenced by various European

countries, particularly Spain, which are combined with indigenous culture.

This cultural blend is seen in Paraguay's forms of arts, crafts, music, festivals, literature, cinema, fashion, languages.

CULTURE

TWO OFFICIAL LANGUANGES

SPANISH and GUARANIRELIGION

The majority of the population in

Paraguay follows a form of

Christianity, with almost 90 percent Roman Catholic,

followed by Protestant groups with a significant

minority of Muslims and Mennonites.

CULTURE

SEMANA SANTA

CULTURE

FOOD

Paraguayan embroidery, lace making, and local music are representations of the cultural fusion.

Food is an important part of the cultural ethos of any country, and in Paraguay, cottage cheese, cornmeal, milk, butter, eggs and fresh corn kernels are some of the major dishes.

CORN AND CASSAVA

CULTURE

SPORTSSports are an important cultural aspect of Paraguay, which excels in football (soccer), as well as rugby, volleyball, and tennis.

TRADITIONS

In celebrating New Year for example, a life size effigy of a human is created and then dressed up like a scarecrow, which is then burnt at the midnight.

Social gatherings and special family gatherings call for an 'asado' of beef or a pit-roasted pig.

and Practices

TRADITIONS

Christmas is an important holiday in the Christian Paraguay and is celebrated with a Christmas festival. The churches are decorated with lights and colorful ornaments.

Because it is summer during the Christmas season, colorful flowers are used in decorating homes and churches.

TRADITIONAL FOOD: grilled ribs,yuca,chipa,sopa paraguaya,chipa guazu,locro,poroto,yopara.

TRADTIONAL CLOTHING: it is the clothing that the ancient to modern day indians and local populace wear for celebrations,fiestas or religious ceremonies to this day.

LOCRO TYPOI

and Practices

LANGUAGE

The Republic of Paraguay is a mostly bilingual country, where both Spanish, an Indo-European language, and Guaraní, an indigenous language of the Tupian family.

87% - Spanish90% - Guaraniwith 4,650,000 speakers

GASTRONOMY

JOPARA KAGUYJY

PARILLADA KOSEREVA

REVIRO KA’ILADRILLO

PERFORMINGand Fine Arts

Folk art in Paraguay is an expression of the cultural mixture of the Spanish and Guaraní and it has its roots in the old handicraft workshops created in the first towns of the colony.  This branch demonstrates the admirable fusion of elements and techniques of the two cultural heritages that it represents.

The great innovations that contribute to the new folk art are the use of kilns for ceramics and the use of the loom for weaving, along with the use of leather and metals in new art forms.

PERFORMING

MUSIC

Guarania is the second best known Paraguayan music style and was created by the great musician José Asunción Flores in 1925, with a slower beat that admirably expresses the melancholy mood of this Paraguayan man. 

and Fine Arts

PERFORMINGand Fine Arts

Theater

Dance

Visual Arts

PERFORMINGand Fine Arts

MUSEO DEL BARRO, ASUNCION

These museums house important samples of indigenous art from different ethnicities that inhabit the Paraguayan territory. 

In the last few decades, it has become easier to enjoy samples of indigenous art in Paraguay, and it is possible to acquire pieces in numerous businesses that specialize in the various genres.

LITERATURE

Augusto Roa Bastos , in 1989, was the first Paraguayan writer to win the main prize for Hispanic literature:  the Cervantes Award for Literature. 

PERSONALITIES

Paraguay, despite being a small and isolated Latin American country, has produced many famous personalities over the years who have contributed in various spheres of human activities in highly meaningful and significant ways.

Jose Gasper Rodriguez de Francia (Politician),was the first president of Paraguay.

Jose Luis Chilavert (Athlete),footballer

PERSONALITIES

Rossana De Los Rios (Athlete), tennis star.

ARCHITECTURE

The rich architecture portayed in the magnificent historical monuments that adorn the country draws a number of visitors to the place.

INDUSTRY

Industries: sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products, steel, metallurgic, electric power

TOURISM FACILITIESand Services

TRANSPORT

Silvio Pettirossi International Airport

TOURISM FACILITIESand Services

MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION

Hospital San Jorge

TOURISM FACILITIESand Services

MEDIA ANDCOMMUNICATIONS

COPACO company

TOURISM FACILITIESand Services

BANKING AND FINANCE

Banco Regional Paraguay

TOURISM FACILITIESand Services

INDUSTRY AND MANUFACTURING

HOW TO GET TO THEDESTINATION

First, you will need to accomplish the VISA requirements but European citizens usually don’t need visas to visit Paraguay for up to 90 days. After accomplishing the visa requirements you can now then go to the airport of your country and fly your way to Paraguay by means of water or air transportation.

FROM UST

Ride a jeepney going to Baclaran, and get a cab there that willtake you to NAIA 2. From there, boarda plane directly to Paraguay.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

A classic Paraguay trip taking in the best of each region.

Day 1: Fly direct to Silvio Pettirossi International Airport.On arrival you will be met and transferred directly to your hotel.

AsunciónDays 2-3: Two nights in Asunción, where the scent of jasmine lingers in the air and the river front on the Rio Paraguay is busy and vibrant, including a half day private tour of Asunción. 

SAMPLE ITINERARY

The WestDays 4-6: Transfer to the West to Central Chaco for two nights in the sparsely populated wild plains where large cats can be found in the dense thorn forest and a plethora of birdlife lives in the marshes. Enjoy a full day tour of Campo Maria as well as a tour of Chaco itself. Transfer back to Asunción. The SouthDays 7-9: After a night back in Asunción transfer South to the remains of the Mission settlements dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries, juxtaposed among lush tropical forest near the banks of the Rio Paraná. The Santa Maria Mission was burnt down but still has impressive ruins with Black Howler monkeys living in the square.Days 10: At leisure to explore the areaDay 11: Fly back to Ninoy Aquino International Airport

SAMPLE ITINERARY

GRACIAS!