Unexpected Interesting Facts About Paraguay

Interesting Facts About Paraguay

The Republic of Paraguay is a landlocked country in South America, bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Now let’s discover more interesting facts about Paraguay.

Paraguay has many interesting facts. For example, it is the home of the world’s largest dam, the Itaipu Dam. Paraguay also has the world’s smallest deer, the pygmy marmoset.

The country is landlocked but has a very long river, the Paraguay River.

Eastern Paraguay and Western Paraguay

Eastern Paraguay and Western Paraguay are two distinct regions in the country of Paraguay. Eastern Paraguay is home to the capital city of Asuncion, while Western Paraguay is more rural and agricultural. Here are some interesting facts about each region:

Eastern Paraguay:

-Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay, is located in Eastern Paraguay.

-The eastern region is more densely populated than the western region.

-Also the climate in Eastern Paraguay is more humid than in Western Paraguay.

-Did you know that the eastern region is home to most of the country’s industry and commerce?

-Paraguay’s main airport, Silvio Pettirossi International Airport, is located in Eastern Paraguay.

Western Paraguay

-Did you know that Western Paraguay is home to one of the largest waterfalls in the world? Astonishingly the Iguazu Falls stretch across 2.7 kilometers (1.67 miles) and are up to 82 meters (269 feet) tall in some places.

The falls are so big that they can be seen from space!

-If you’re looking for a more relaxed activity, Western Paraguay also has plenty of opportunities for bird watching.

-The western region of Paraguay is less populated than the east.

The Largest Navy of any Landlocked Country

Landlocked Paraguay might not seem like a country that would have much of a navy, but it actually has the largest navy of any landlocked country in the world.

That’s right, this small South American nation has a bigger navy than countries like Chile and Bolivia. The Paraguayan Navy, or Armada Nacional Paraguaya, is made up of around 3,000 personnel and 30 ships.

It is responsible for protecting the country’s rivers, lakes, and coastline.

The Itaipu Dam

In the land-locked country of Paraguay in South America, British engineers are working on a new hydroelectric dam called Itaipu. The project is a joint venture between Paraguay and Brazil, and it is being funded by the World Bank.

Also, the dam will be the world’s largest hydroelectric facility, with a generating capacity of 14,000 megawatts. It will provide the Paraguayan industry with cheap energy from the Paraná River.

Interestingly the Itaipu dam will be 7 kilometers long and will have a height of 193 meters. The reservoir created by the dam will be about 1,350 square kilometers. Incredibly the dam will have a capacity of 14 gigawatts of electricity, which is enough to power all of Paraguay and most of Brazil.

The Itaipu dam is just one example of the work that British engineers are doing around the world. They are also working on projects in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

In fact, the Paraguayan Navy has its headquarters on Lake Ypacaraí, where it maintains a fleet of patrol boats. It also has a riverine squadron that patrols the Paraná and Paraguay rivers.

The navy’s main base is at Puerto Sajonia on the Paraná River. Further, the Paraguayan Navy works closely with the country’s coast guard, which is responsible for maritime safety and security.

The Paraguay River

Intriguingly the Paraguay River is one of the major rivers of the South American Countries, flowing through Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina.

It is approximately 2,600 miles long and is an important waterway for trade and transportation.

Maybe surprisingly the river is also a popular destination for fishing, boating, and other recreational activities. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the country from north to south.

Due to its central location in heart of South America, Paraguay is sometimes referred to as Corazón de América (“Heart of America”).

The Paraguay River basin covers a total area of nearly 1 million square miles, making it one of the largest river basins in the world. Plus the basin includes parts of three countries: Brazil (60%), Paraguay (32%), and Argentina (8%).

In fact, the majority of the basin is located in Brazil, with only a small portion extending into Paraguay and Argentina. The Paraguay River has its origins in the highlands of Brazil near the city of Curitiba.

The Parana River

The Parana River is one of the longest rivers in South America. It runs through Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. The river is about 3,030 miles long. Astonishingly the Parana River starts in Brazil and flows south through Paraguay and into Argentina.

Plus the river then turns southeast and empties into the Uruguay River. The Parana River is an important transportation route for goods between Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. Also, the river is also a source of hydroelectric power for all three countries.

Also, the Paraguay and Paraná rivers combine to form a series of three,302 kilometers of waterway system and carry all of the continent’s supplies from Asia through the Atlantic Ocean into the interior. It is a key corridor between South America and the Atlantic Ocean through the Rio de la Plata.

What Are The Natural Resources of Paraguay

Paraguay has a variety of natural resources including forests, minerals, and water resources. Forests cover about 60% of the country and there are reserves of timber, tannin, and guaiacum.

Mineral resources include iron ore, phosphate rock, manganese, limestone, gypsum, and marble. Paraguay also has a number of freshwater resources and the country have been called both the “land of rivers” and the “land of lakes.”

Plus the Paraguay River is one of the most important waterways in South America.

The Currency of Paraguay

The currency is the Paraguayan guarani. Here are some interesting facts about the currency of Paraguay. Did you know the guarani were first introduced in 1568 by Spanish settlers?

It replaced the peso as the official currency of Paraguay in 1944. The guarani is subdivided into 100 céntimos. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 céntimos and 1 guaraní, and notes of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 guaraníes.

The Guaran People

The Guaran are a group of people who live in Paraguay. They are known for their musical traditions and their love of dance.

Guaran has a rich culture and history, and they are an important part of Paraguayan society.

The Guaran are also known for their unique language, which is a mix of Spanish and other indigenous languages.

The Paraguayan Onomatopoeic Language

Spanish is not the only language spoken in Paraguay. In fact, there is another second language that is unique to this South American country and this native tongue is called Guarani.

What’s even more interesting about Guarani is that it’s an onomatopoeic language, meaning that a lot of the words are based on sound.

For example, the word for “monkey” in Guarani is “jajara.” This word was created by combining the sounds that monkeys make (ja) with the sound of a branch breaking (rara). Another example is the word for “bird,” which is “guaçu.”

This word was created by combining the sounds that birds make (gua) with the sound of wind blowing (çu). Onomatopoeia is the use of words that mimic the sounds they describe like the natural sounds of animals.

Onomatopoeic words are found in many languages, including English. Some onomatopoeic words are specific to a certain language or dialect.

The Guaran are friendly and welcoming people, and they are always willing to share their culture with others.

Visitors to Paraguay will often find themselves being invited to join in the fun when the Guaran are celebrating one of their many festivals.

Music and dance are an important part of Guaran life, and there is always plenty of food and drink to enjoy at these events. If you want to experience some true Paraguayan culture, then spending time with the indigenous people, the Guaran is a must.

You will be sure to have a great time, and you may even learn some new dances!

Blood Donors in Paraguay

In Paraguay, blood donors are compensated for their donations. This is an interesting fact about Paraguay, as blood donation is typically a voluntary act.

In some cases, blood donors may even be given a stipend to help cover the cost of their transportation to and from the donation site.

It is estimated that there are approximately 1,500 blood donors in Paraguay. This number represents a small percentage of the population, but it is still a significant number of people who are willing to help others in need.

The process of donating blood in Paraguay is relatively simple and straightforward. First, potential donors must undergo a physical examination to ensure that they are healthy enough to donate.

Next, they will have their blood drawn and will be given a small amount of money for their trouble.

The War of The Triple Alliance

The Triple Alliance, also known as the Great War of Paraguay and the Paraguayan War, was a conflict between the landlocked South American country of Paraguay and an alliance of Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina.

Did you know the war began in December 1864 and lasted until March 1870? It was one of the bloodiest wars in South American history, claiming the lives of over 300,000 soldiers and civilians.

Paraguay’s defeat in the war led to its decline as a regional power, while Brazil emerged as a leading force in South America.

Further, the war also had a profound impact on Paraguayan society, with many men being killed or wounded and much of the country’s infrastructure being destroyed.

The Chaco War

The Chaco War was fought between 1932 and 1935 in the Chaco Boreal, a region of South America that is today known as Paraguay.

Interestingly the war was fought between the Paraguayan army and the Bolivian army, with each side supported by different foreign powers. The war ended with a Paraguayan victory, but at a heavy cost: an estimated 30,000 Paraguayan soldiers and 10,000 Bolivian soldiers lost their lives.

Today, the Chaco War is remembered as one of the deadliest and most brutal conflicts in South American history.

The World’s Largest Rodent

Paraguay is home to the world’s largest rodent, the capybara. These friendly creatures can grow to be up to four feet long and weigh over 100 pounds! Capybaras are semi-aquatic, spending much of their time in rivers and ponds.

They are social animals, living in groups of 10-20 individuals. Capybaras are herbivores, feeding on grasses, aquatic plants, and fruits.

These fascinating animals are excellent swimmers and can even remain submerged for up to five minutes! Capybaras are native to South America and can be found in countries such as Brazil, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Colombia.

What Is Sopa Paraguaya

Sopa Paraguaya is a popular dish in Paraguay. It is a thick corn soup that is usually served with meat and vegetables. The dish is typically made with white corn, but yellow corn can also be used.

Sopa Paraguaya is a filling dish that is perfect for a winter meal. The soup can be made ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve. leftovers also reheat well and make great lunches the next day.

As one of the least visited countries in the world, Paraguay is often overlooked by travelers. However, there are many interesting fun facts about this South American nation that make it worth exploring.

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Let’s end with 18 interesting facts about Paraguay

For example, did you know that Paraguay is home to the world’s largest hydroelectric power plant?

Paraguay was once part of the Spanish Empire, under Spanish rule, but gained its independence in 1811.

The national dish of Paraguay is the chipa, a cheese bread made from cassava flour. It’s very popular with the people of Paraguay.

Did you know the national flag of Paraguay was adopted in 1842 and consists of three horizontal stripes of red, white, and blue?

The coat of arms of Paraguay features a golden lion on a red background with a Phrygian cap on its head, which represents Liberty.

The national anthem of Paraguay is “Paraguayanos, República o Muerte” (“Paraguayans, Republic or Death”)

It was the first Latin American country to introduce women’s suffrage.

Paraguay is the only country in South America that does not have access to the ocean.

The official language of Paraguay is Spanish, but over 90% of the population of Paraguay also speaks Guaraní, which is an indigenous language.

Paraguay is a landlocked country in central South America As of 2018, Paraguay has a population of 7 million people.

The capital of Paraguay and the largest city is Asunción, with a metropolitan area of 2.8 million.

Paraguay is one of the two landlocked countries in South America (the other being Uruguay).

The climate in Paraguay is subtropical to temperate. There are two seasons in Paraguay: the rainy season (October to March) and the dry season (April to September).

Interestingly the country’s most popular sport is football (soccer).

The country is about the same size as California, but with only 6.5 million people.

The life expectancy of the population of Paraguay is 72.8 years.

It is one of the poorest countries in the region.

The majority of the population is of indigenous descent.