Paraguay
is just a little smaller than
the state of California.
It may
lack a coastline but Paraguay has the largest navy of any landlocked
country, with naval aviation, a river defense corps and coastguard all part of
its force.
The
terrain of Paraguay is mixed to say the least. Marsh plains, woody hills,
forest and grass plains make up most of the country.
Although
nearly twice the size of the UK, Paraguay’s population in 2015 was just over
6.5 million, barely one tenth of the UK.
Paraguay receives almost 100% of its electricity from
hydroelectric power. The Itaipu Dam which is co-owned with Brazil, produces
75% of this. Situated on the Paraná River, the Itaipu Dam is the 2nd
largest in the world.
Paraguay is the only country worldwide whose national flag has different
emblems on each side. 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). Paraguay’s flag is one of the world’s oldest national flags.
The people
of Paraguay enjoy sports, including
football (soccer), rugby, tennis, and volleyball. Fishing is as popular as
football.
In
Paraguay, pistol duelling is still legal as long as both parties are registered
blood donors.
Until 1991, divorce was
illegal in Paraguay.
Paraguay
is home to the world’s largest
rodent called the Capybara, which is basically a giant guinea pig.
Paraguay has 42 protected wildlife areas and 10 national parks. There are comfortable
accommodations and tours available in the Mbaracayu tropical forests, as well
as 89 mammal species and 410 bird species. Ybycui features metallic blue
butterflies, waterfalls and howler monkeys.
Endangered animals include the jaguar, harpy eagle, red parrot, giant
armadillo and anteater
(jurumi). More Uruguay animals include brown wolves, foxes, tapirs
and more than 1000 species of birds. Paraguay also has many boa constrictors
and crocodiles, and even
some piranha, as well.
You can
find over 1000 different types of bird in Paraguay, as well as Jaguars,
crocodiles and anteaters.
Soy is one
of the biggest exports. Paraguay ranked number 6 in the world for soy
production.
The day’s
main meal is eaten at noon. Two
staples of the Paraguayan diet are corn and cassava, a starchy root
vegetable. Cassava (or mandioca) is baked with cheeses to make the thick bread
known as Chipa. Corn is used in Paraguayan soup (sopa paraguaya), Bori bori
soup and other dishes.
Paraguay’s national
beverage is mate. Mate (pronounced
“mahtay”) is often served hot. When it is served chilled, it is called tereré.
It is imbibed through a metal drinking straw called a bombilla.
The most
tea drunk per head in the world, is in Paraguay.
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.
As many
as 210 football stadiums could
be built with the same amount of concrete as was used to build the Itaipu Dam.
One of the
world’s deadliest fires occurred in the capital in 2004. Nearly 500 died and
the same number was injured when a fire broke out in a supermarket. The doors
had been locked by the stores manager after the fire broke out to stop people
leaving without paying for their shopping. A true tragedy.
Homes have no doorbells. To announce your arrival, clap your hands. With windows
always open in the hot climate, claps are clearly heard inside.
Paraguay’s colorful festivals also attract tourists. The Festival de San Juan in June
features fire walking in hot coals and embers, great food and the ritual
burning of an effigy of Judas Iscariot.
