Things To See and Do In Paraguay
Considering a visit to Paraguay? Click here for places not to miss.
News
Big Soy: Small Paraguayan Farmers Fighting Back Against Global Agribusiness – February 3, 2015
The Pillaging of Paraguay Photo Essay and Analysis
The Place Where Rutherford B. Hayes is a Really Big Deal – October 30, 2014
14 Things to Know About Paraguay – October 9, 2014
No Hay Nada Que Ver – October 2014
Green Going Gone: The Tragic Deforestation of the Chaco – July 28, 2014 – An excellent read of Big Agribusiness vs Paraguay’s precious wilderness resources and its people.
10 Beautiful Exotic Places to Visit in Paraguay – May 24, 2014
World’s Happiest Country? Would You Believe Paraguay? – May 21, 2014
Paraguay President’s Palace Being Eroded by Termites – May 12, 2014
Russian Ban Cuts Third of Paraguayan Beef Revenues – March 14, 2014
Saudi Opportunity for Paraguayan Beef Pending – March 13, 2014
“Paraguay: 15,000 Hectares Threatened by HLB” – November 26, 2013
“El Papa Quiere un Paraguay Siempre Erguido” – November 25, 2013 – (open with Google Chrome for English translation)
“Monoculture Soy and the Future of the Paraguayan Campesino” – November 25, 2013
“El enjambre amarillo” y los videoclubes, contra los 23 – November 23, 2013- (open with Google Chrome for English translation)
Guerrillas Step Up Campaign In Paraguay– November 13, 2013
Paraguayan Couple Gets Married After 80 Years Together – October 16, 2013
4,000 Cattle Killed By Frost in Paraguay– August 29, 2013
Sacked Paraguay Bus Drivers Stage Crucifixion Protest – August 28, 2013
Land Dispute Involving Poor Farmers – July 20, 20113
Boom Times in Paraguay Leave Many Behind – April 24, 2013
Horacio Cortes Wins Paraguay’s Presidential Election – April 21, 2013
In Paraguay, Democracy’s All-Too-Speedy Trial – June 23, 2012
Paraguay flag
Country Facts
Paraguay map
History
Summary from http://www.princeton.edu which was based on the Wikipedia link found at the bottom of this page:
http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/History_of_Paraguay.html
The history of Paraguay is poorly documented, as almost no archaeological research has been done and little is known of Paraguay‘s pre-Columbian history. What is certain is that the eastern part of the country was occupied by Guaraní peoples for at least 1,000 years before the Spanish colonization of the Americas. Evidence indicates that these indigenous Americans developed a fairly sophisticated semi-nomadic culture consisting of several independent multivillage communities.
The first Spaniards settled in the territory in the 16th century. They were predominantly young men, as few women followed them to the region. Following the Spanish conquest and colonization, a large mixed (mestizo) population developed, which spoke the language of their indigenous mothers but adopted much of their fathers’ Spanish culture.
Paraguay’s colonial history was one of general calm punctuated by turbulent political events; the country’s economy at the time made made it unimportant to the Spanish crown, and the distance of its capital from other new cities on the South American continent lead to isolation. Paraguay declared its independence from Spain in 1811; since then, the country has had a history of dictatorial governments, from the Utopian regime of José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia (El Supremo) to the suicidal reign of Francisco Solano López, who nearly devastated the country in warfare against the combined forces of Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay from 1865 through 1870. The so-called War of the Triple Alliance ended in the near annihilation of Paraguay and set the stage for the formation of a two-party (Colorado vs. Liberal) political system that persists until the present day.
Following political turmoil during the first three decades of the 20th century, Paraguay went to war again, this time with Bolivia. From 1932 to 1935, approximately 30,000 Paraguayans and 65,000 Bolivians died in fighting over possession of the Chaco region.
Initiative and creativity were stifled for many years during the rule of a series of dictators. From 1870 to 1954, Paraguay was ruled by 44 different men, 24 of whom were forced from office. In 1954, GeneralAlfredo Stroessner took advantage of the strong link between the armed forces and the Colorado Party to overthrow the government; he ruled until 1989.
Although there is little ethnic strife in Paraguay to impede social and economic progress, there is social conflict caused by underemployment and the enormous gap between the rich and the poor. Positive steps to correct these inequities have occurred since the 1989 ousting of the last dictator, and the country’s political system is moving toward a fully functioning democracy. However, the tradition of hierarchical organizational structures and generous rewarding of political favors prevails.
For a more detailed version on this article and Paraguay’s tumultuous history visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Paraguay
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