Paraguay

Paraguay Destinations Travel Guide  

Flag of Paraguay

Language: Spanish, Guaraní

Currency: Guaraní (PYG)

Calling Code: 595

 

Paraguay (in Guarani, Paraguái), officially the Republic of Paraguay, is an American country located in the central zone of South America. Its territory is politically subdivided into 17 departments and a capital district. Its capital is the city of Asunción. It limits with Argentina to the southeast, south and southwest; with Bolivia, to the north and with Brazil, to the east. It is the fifth smallest country and the fourth least populated in South America. Its territory is characterized by two different regions separated by the Paraguay River, the Oriental, which is the most populated, and the Western, which is part of the Boreal Chaco. Although it is a state without maritime coastline, it has ports on the Paraguay and Paraná rivers that give an outlet to the Atlantic Ocean through the Paraná-Paraguay Waterway.

The human presence dates back to the Neolithic period, which dates back to about 3200 years before Christ, during the pre-Columbian period it was inhabited by indigenous peoples of the Tupi-Guaraní and Mataco-Guaicurú groups. The arrival of the Spaniards marked the beginning of the Hispanic dominion of this territory until the 19th century, when in 1811 Paraguay achieved its independence, being one of the first countries in Latin America to achieve it. The contemporary history of the incipient nation was marked in an economy that grew in its beginnings, until the advent of two major international wars that devastated the country. The successive political struggles for power, together with two civil wars, culminated in a fierce dictatorship, which was finally overthrown and the democratic period that remains in force until the present was established.

 

Regions

Paraguay is mostly divided into two regions:
the Oriente, east of the Río Paraguay, a hilly, fertile landscape where more than 90 percent of all Paraguayans live.
the Paraguayan Chaco, west of the Río Paraguay, a sparsely populated plain that is very hot in summer.

 

Cities

Asuncion - Capital
Ciudad del Este - The most famous shopping city in South America with the character of a bazaar, near the Itaipu Dam.
Encarnación on the Río Paraná with an old town that is worth seeing and is half sunken in the river.
Filadelfia, the capital of the Mennonite colonies of the Chaco Plains.

 

Travel Destinations in Paraguay

Cerro Cora National Park is located in Amambay Department and contains a series of rock painting in several caves inside the park. Battle of Cerro Cora was fought within boundaries of the park.

Nacunday National Park in Paraguay is famous for its beautiful and majestic waterfall.

 

Getting here

entry requirements
All EU and EFTA citizens can enter the country without a visa for 90 days.

By plane
Air Europa currently offers the only non-stop connection from Europe to Paraguay from Madrid. Transfer flights usually go via Sao Paolo, including with TAM Airlines.

By train
There are no international rail connections to Paraguay.

By bus
From the neighboring countries Argentina and Brazil, the bus is a popular means of transport. Asunción is approached by almost all major cities in southern Brazil and Argentina. The bus connection to Bolivia via the Chaco, on the other hand, is less recommended, since the road is very bad and still often sinks into the mud in the humid summer.

Largest bus companies are NSA and La Encarnacena.

In the street
The international driving license is recognized for 90 days.

Travelers traveling by land must ensure their passport is entry stamped by Paraguayan immigration authorities at border crossings. This is where personal initiative is required, since vehicles are often not stopped at the larger crossings. If the stamp is missing, a fine is due upon departure.

Brazil
The most important border crossings are:
Puente Internacional de la Amistad (Ciudad del Este and Foz de Iguazú)
Pedro Juan Caballero and Ponta Pora
Salto del Guaira and Mundo Novo
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for certain regions when traveling to Brazil.

Argentina
It takes 45 minutes to drive from Asunción over the bridge to Puerto Falcón, on the Argentine side is Clorinda.
Encarnacion and Posadas (ARG)

Bolivia
One gets to Bolivia on the Ruta Transchaco (9) near General Eugenio A. Garay across the border.

By boat
A daytime ferry across the river connects Asunción to Clorinda in Argentina via Chacoí, then Puerto Falcón.

In the south of Asunción is Puerto Ita Enramada, here the exit control is not signposted. There are water taxis and car ferries to the Puerto Pilcomayo dock. On the way to the village is a checkpoint of the Argentine border guards.

 

Getting around

By plane
Domestic flights are available in Paraguay with the military airline SETAM. These offer partly irregular and very weather-prone flights to many smaller airports in Paraguay. The airline TAM also makes a stopover in Ciudad del Este on two daily flights to and from Asunción. Since small turboprop aircraft are used, luggage is limited to 10 kg + 2 kg hand luggage, the passengers in the 24-seat CASA C-212 are weighed.

There is also the possibility to rent an air taxi:
Airmen S.A., Hangars DECSA, Aeropuerto Internacional Silvio Pettirossi, Luque. Tel: (021) 645 990, Mobile: (0991) 203 971, (0981) 415 473, Fax: (021) 645 980, Email: airmensa@tigo.com.py.
Helitactica, headquarters: Shopping Villa Morra, 3er piso, San Roque González e/ Mcal. Lopez, Asuncion. Tel: (021) 661 921, Mobile: (0971) 911 000, Fax: (021) 661 921, Email: comercial@helitactica.com.py.

By bus
The main means of transport in Paraguay is the bus. In the larger cities there are city buses, so-called colectivos, whose route network also includes suburbs or small towns that are further away. Longer distances and trips to neighboring countries are served by intercity buses, which are not only the cheapest but also by far the most comfortable means of transport. There are different price ranges, in the best ones the seats can be folded almost horizontally into a bed, the legroom is far more than in European coaches. However, long-distance buses in Paraguay are significantly worse and sometimes more expensive than in neighboring countries such as Bolivia or Argentina.

In the street
Driving in Paraguay takes some getting used to. Only the country's main routes, which are subject to tolls (between 5,000 and 10,000 Gs each way), are asphalted and in reasonably good condition. In smaller villages there are often only dirt roads, which are sometimes no longer passable even for off-road vehicles after the usual rainfall in the country. The general right-of-way rules are set according to the road conditions: asphalt road before cobblestone road and cobblestone road before dirt road.

Since street signs are not given much attention by the Paraguayos, so-called "speed bumps" (Lomadas) are often used to calm traffic in the cities, although these are not always signposted. These speed bumps can either surveys or such. For example, in Encarnación there may also be depressions in the street.

The following rules should be observed, as non-compliance with them is usually considered with a fine (multa):
When driving overland, it should be noted that the dipped headlights must also be switched on during the day!
Even if nobody seems to stick to it, seatbelts are compulsory!
Speed limits should definitely be observed, as police checks are frequent, especially in rural areas.
In the event of a police check, the car documents (from the rental company), international driver's license and passport must normally be presented.
First aid equipment is not mandatory, but a working fire extinguisher and two (!) warning triangles must be carried. It is best to have the car rental company show you these before you leave.

There are a few other peculiarities in Paraguayan traffic that could irritate Europeans who are used to the rules:
In the big cities, each street has as many lanes as cars can fit next to each other, markings are irrelevant.
"Threading" is not done according to the zip system, but the following applies: whoever is further ahead gets to ride first.
The horn and flashing headlights signal: "Here I come!" not "You may drive". These are sometimes also used when the traffic lights have already switched to red. That's why it's common to wait for the first few seconds of your own green phase to see if someone on the other lane is "shot" at you.
From time to time traffic lights are only on the opposite side of the street, here you have to be careful not to overlook them.
A gas station attendant does the filling up, the driver stays in the car and simply says how much he wants to fill up - full, a liter or for a certain amount.
Although traffic in Paraguay is generally right-hand, it is common to drive on the left on dual carriageways. Especially drivers in old, slow vehicles seem to have a fondness for it; in such a case, you can overtake on the right.
Liability insurance is not required by law. In case of doubt, you are left with the costs of an accident that is not your fault.

The minimum age to rent a car is 21 years; an international driver's license must be presented. Addresses of car rental companies are listed in the city articles. If you want to drive to the Iguazu Falls in a rental car, you should inquire with the rental company beforehand whether you can drive it in Argentina.

 

Language

The official languages are Spanish and Guarani. If you would like to learn more about Guaraní, you can download a free language course in PDF format here.

The Mennonite colonies in the northwest are German-speaking, but in daily life a dialect similar to Low German is spoken that is difficult for southern Germans, Austrians and Swiss to understand. However, since High German is taught in the schools, as a tourist you normally have no communication problems.

In some areas, Italian and Japanese are also spoken.

 

Shopping

The official currency in Paraguay is the Guaraní (character: ₲), but in most shops in larger cities the dollar is also accepted as a means of payment - for a percentage surcharge on the purchase price. It should be noted that $100 bills with certain 2003 serial numbers will not be accepted in stores, banks, or bureaux de change. Euros can easily be exchanged. Some ATMs in Asunción offer the choice between Guaraníes and Dollars when withdrawing, debit and credit cards can be used.

In Nov 2021 there was ₲6800 for one US dollar and ₲7900 for one euro.

Outside of the larger cities, it is difficult to find ATMs or pay with dollars or credit cards. The maximum limit for cash withdrawals is usually ₲1.5-3 million per day.

Current exchange rates can be found on the website of the Paraguayan Central Bank.

Popular Paraguayan souvenirs include:
Ñandutí: finely woven cotton tablecloths and towels with traditional patterns
Teréré mug: made of cow horn, silver or rosewood with the corresponding drinking tube
Ao-Poí: embroidered blouses, shirts or dresses made of cotton
Leather goods: e.g. B. bags, jackets, belts...
pottery
wooden carved figures, icons or objects of daily use

 

Eat

The main food in Paraguay is beef - usually grilled or fried. Sausages, poultry and the river fish surubí and dorado are also popular. Mandioca is often served as a side dish. This root tastes similar to potato and is prepared in the same way.

Common snacks include chipa, a pastry made from cornmeal, eggs, and cheese, which tastes best warm and fresh, and empanadas - dumplings filled with meat, fish, cheese, corn, and the like.

Because of its favorable location, bananas, pineapples, papayas and other tropical fruits grow in Paraguay. These are offered cheaply on markets and in supermarkets and are a real taste experience.

Yerba mate
Paraguay is the home of yerba mate. The dried or ground leaves of the tree species Ilex Paraguayensis are used for this. They are infused with hot water (mate) in winter and with ice-cold water (teréré) in summer. You can buy special thermos flasks and suitably shaped ice cream everywhere.

The word mate has its origin in the Quechua language and originally referred to the container made from a dry gourd (calabash). The origin of this drink lies in the Guarani culture in the pre-Hispanic period. But it was not until the 18th century, when the habit of drinking tea became fashionable in Europe, that the habit of drinking mate became established in South America and especially in Uruguay. The brown-green bitter drink quickly became the companion of farm workers. Over the years, mate has carved its place in the city, and today mate drinking is common throughout Uruguay, as well as Argentina, Paraguay, and southern Brazil. The meaning of mate depends on the place, the moment or with whom you drink mate. It can be just a drink, or it can be the companion of idle hours, groups of friends, family, colleagues. Or it is a symbol of welcome for the visitor at the door of the house.

Mate is generally drunk together and always uses the same container and bombilla, passed from one person to another. This fact makes it significantly different from the way other beverages like tea or coffee are drunk. The bombilla is a drinking tube, generally made of metal, which dates back to the 18th century in this form. At its ends are the filter and the mouthpiece.

Preparation: Fill the vessel about 2/3 full with hot, non-boiling water, let it steep until the mate leaves are swollen, then fill the vessel. The first infusion can be quite bitter, the tea can be infused 2-4 times.

 

Nightlife

Paraguay has strict curfew laws. It's usually over after 1 or 2 a.m. Nevertheless, there are numerous nightclubs in the cities.

 

Hotels

Especially in Asunción there is accommodation in every category and for every budget.

In Paraguay as well as in many other countries, e.g. B. Brazil, there are no stars for hotels, but categories. These are officially awarded by the Ministry of Tourism. Many hotels give stars so as not to confuse the international tourist. So-called non-representative hotel ratings on the Internet should not be trusted. Such sites are often put online for personal reasons, in order to harm others!

Aparthotels with small, fully equipped kitchens are particularly popular with long-term renters.

Inland, accommodation is inexpensive and often very basic.

On the weekends more and more people go to small farms where you can ride and swim, sometimes carriage rides are offered.

 

Work

Paraguay has one of the most liberal immigration laws in the world. You have to prove an amount of money of currently around 5000 euros in a bank account in Paraguay, then you can go to the immigration authorities -
Dirección General de Migraciones, Caballero e/ Eligio Ayala, 3er Piso, Asunción. Tel: (021) 446 066, (021) 492 908, (021) 446 673, email: contacto@migraciones.gov.py. edit info
- apply for a residence/work permit. However, that does not mean that you will get a job.

 

Security

Compared to other Latin American countries, Paraguay is relatively safe for tourists. If you stick to the usual rules and don't carry jewelry, cameras and money too obviously with you, you usually have nothing to fear. Pickpocketing does occur, this is often committed by the poorer part of the population and serves primarily to "cover expenses," i. H. Violence is relatively rare.

There are armed robberies on public transport from time to time. Here you should not defend yourself and hand over your mobile phone and money, as the perpetrators can be quite aggressive.

If you want to report a theft or robbery to the police, dial the emergency number 911 or go to a police station. A log is then created here, which can be helpful if e.g. B. the passport fell victim to theft.

Despite allegations of corruption, the Paraguayan police are not as bad as their reputation, especially when it comes to recovering stolen goods, and they have been able to record greater success time and again.

 

Health

Since the state health system primarily ensures basic care for the population, foreigners will go to a private hospital in an emergency. Here, as is usually the case abroad, the treatment must be paid for immediately, i. H. A foreign health insurance makes sense in any case.

If you need special medication, you should bring a sufficient supply with you, as supply cannot be guaranteed in the interior of the country. Most of the medicines offered in Paraguay are imported from neighboring countries, rarely from North America or even Europe. Therefore, the mode of action can be different from what you are used to, despite the same ingredients.

vaccinations
In the summer of 2007, cases of yellow fever became known in Paraguay for the first time in several decades.

The standard vaccinations for polio, diphtheria and tetanus should be refreshed before departure if necessary. Hepatitis A/B and typhoid vaccinations are also recommended.

Insect repellent
Every year there are numerous cases of dengue fever, which is transmitted by the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. So far there is neither a vaccination nor a specific treatment option, so insect repellent should also be used during the day.

There is no increased risk of malaria in large parts of Paraguay. If you want to travel north to the Chaco and the jungle on the Brazilian border, you should take a prophylactic with you.

heat and sun
Especially in summer, temperatures in the southern part of the country can rise to 45 °C and in the northern Chaco to over 50 °C. Sunscreen and hats protect against sunburn, great exertion should be avoided in order not to overload the body, and it is essential to regularly compensate for lost fluids with water or tea. Those who have a "siesta" around midday can avoid the greatest heat.

 

Post and telecommunications

post
To Europe: The best way to post mail is in Asunción at the Correo Central or at the airport. A letter or postcard to Germany costs about 16,000 Gs.
To Paraguay: In Paraguay, there is no postal service like in Europe. Important mail should always be sent by registered mail. Thicker letters tend to get "lost" especially at Christmas time. If you want to send valuables to Paraguay, forwarding agencies such as DHL or UPS are ideal. In addition to the address, consignments should always be clearly labeled with the recipient's telephone number, otherwise they may be considered undeliverable.

phone
Land line: You can make phone calls to Europe from any hotel, but this is expensive. Normally you go to one of the many offices of the telephone company COPACO. You can choose domestic calls from there, international calls are often arranged. The country code from Paraguay to Germany is +49, to Austria +43 and to Switzerland +41. There are also many shops marked "Cabinas" or "Fax" where you can make phone calls and send faxes.
Cellular: Handy is called Celular here, the largest cellphone providers are Tigo and Personal, with a combined 85% market share. Vox and Claro share the rest. The network coverage is generally relatively good, and LTE is even offered in larger cities (especially Asunción). There is also a mobile phone payment system, Tigo Money, which costs the user 4% of the amount transferred.

For telephoning with a European card/number using the roaming method, correspondingly high fees are incurred. For longer stays, it makes sense in any case to get a suitable SIM card from one of the providers mentioned above. With these, however, it is not possible to make calls abroad as standard, but incoming calls are possible. Paraguay is planning to join Mercosur roaming, which started in mid-2021 at no extra cost. When buying a SIM, the passport must be presented, and since 2018 a fingerprint has been taken on the form from the regulatory authority.

Internet
Internet cafes are becoming increasingly popular. You can now find them in almost all shopping centers and on the big streets. The fees are about one euro per hour. Most hotels, especially urban ones, now offer WiFi (free/paid) or provide computers with internet access.

 

Etymology

The territory of modern Paraguay in the first half of the 16th century was captured by the Spanish conquerors and included in the viceroyalty of Peru, but already in the 17th century it was allocated to the governor-general "Paraguay", named after the hydronym Paraguay, which comes from the Indian word Paraguay, which means some dialects of local Indians "horned river". In 1811, the "Republic of Paraguay" (Spanish: República del Paraguay) was proclaimed, the name of the country has not changed since then.

 

History

Until the 16th century, Paraguay was inhabited by agricultural tribes of Guarani and tribes of hunters and fishermen - Toba, Mokovi, Matako.

1537 - Asuncion founded by the Spaniards.
1542-1640 - part of the Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru.
1609 - penetration of the Jesuits.
1617 - The territory of Paraguay receives autonomy under the Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru. Local authority is exercised by the Jesuit order. The Jesuits create self-defense units from the Indians against the Brazilian slave hunters. The Indians are attached to special settlements - reductions, headed by Jesuit priests. The assistants of the latter were recruited from local Indians - they bore the title of corregidor (manager) and alcalde (headman).
1768 - the expulsion of representatives of the Jesuit order from Paraguay by the Spanish authorities on suspicion of rebellion.
1776 - Paraguay is incorporated into the Viceroyalty of the Rio de la Plata.
1810-1811 - Paraguayan campaign. Invasion of troops of the United Provinces of South America in Paraguay.
1811 - the declaration of independence of the Rio de la Plata from Spain caused centrifugal tendencies within the self-proclaimed state, as a result, Paraguay separated from both Spain and Argentina - the successor republic of the Rio de la Plata. Jose Rodriguez de Francia became dictator for life of Paraguay.
1844-1862 - the reign of Carlos Antonio Lopez.
1848 - equality of the Indians with the Creoles.
1862-1870 - the reign of Francisco Solano López.
1866-1870 - The Paraguayan war with Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, which became a national disaster for the country: Paraguay lost almost half of its territory, the population decreased by 60-70%, including the male population, according to some estimates, decreased by 9 times.
1887 - the foundation of the Colorado Party, which expresses the interests of large landowners.
1922-1923 - civil war.
1924-1928 - the reign of José Eligio Ayala.
1932-1935 - Chaco war with Bolivia. Paraguay won, but the conquered lands began to be developed by US corporations.
1936 - coup of veterans of the Chaco war.
1940-1948 - dictatorship of General Morinjigo.
1947 - civil war.
1954-1989 - Stronist regime, dictatorship of General Alfredo Stroessner.

 

Political structure

executive branch
The head of state and government is the president, who is elected by the people for one five-year term. Executive power is concentrated in his hands. The president, according to the constitution, is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, appoints the cabinet of ministers and heads of local administration.

In 2008, Fernando Lugo, head of the Patriotic Alliance for Change, won the presidential election with 41% of the vote. On June 22, 2012, the Senate of Paraguay announced the impeachment of Lugo due to the fact that he used military force to suppress the uprisings of landless peasants. His place was taken by Vice President Federico Franco. Horacio Cartes became president in 2013. In the 2018 elections, Mario Abdo Benitez was elected President of Paraguay (he took office on August 15).

Legislature
Parliament - bicameral Congress, 45 senators and 80 deputies elected by the population for a five-year term. Senators are elected from national party lists, while members of the Chamber of Deputies are elected from departments and the metropolitan area.

The Senate approves the appointment of all heads of the Supreme Court, the armed forces, the police and the central bank of the country.

Parliament can take legislative initiative and override a presidential veto.

According to the results of the April 2013 elections, 5 parties are represented in the Chamber of Deputies:
National Republican Association (Colorado) ANR - 44 deputies (right)
Authentic liberal-radical party PLRA - 27 (centrist)
National Union of Ethical Citizens UNACE - 2 (right)
Wide front - 1 (left)
National Unity Party - 2 (center-left)
Forward, country - 2 (center-left)
Beloved Fatherland PPQ - 1 (center-right)
Progressive Democratic Party - 0 (center-left)

 

Geographic data

Along with neighboring Bolivia, Paraguay is one of the two landlocked countries in the Americas. In the northwest and north it borders with Bolivia with 750 km, in the east with Brazil with 1290 km and in the south and west with Argentina with 1699 km. The total border length is 3739 kilometers. With a national territory of almost 407,000 km², the country is about the size of Germany and Switzerland together.

 

Landscape picture

The Río Paraguay flows through the country from north to south and divides it into two natural parts, the sparsely populated Gran Chaco in the west, which occupies about 60 percent of the country's area, and the Oriente, the eastern region, in which over 97 percent of the population lives. The Gran Chaco is a quaternary alluvial plain with a uniform landscape character that slopes slightly to the east, gradually rising from 100 meters in the marshland on the Río Paraguay to 450 meters at the foot of the Andes. It is characterized by a lack of fresh water, the groundwater is mostly highly salted.[6] East of the Río Paraguay in the Cordillera de Caaguazú stretches up to 700 meters high subtropical table and mountain country, which belongs to the Precambrian Brazilian shield covered by Paleozoic and Mesozoic sediments and thick basalt covers, the so-called Paraná basalts. It breaks off in one step to the fertile Paraná-Paraguay Depression, in the southern part of which there are wide swamp and floodplains. The highest mountain in the country is Cerro Peró (Cerro Tres Kandú) at 842 meters.

 

Climate

The overall climate is tropical to subtropical. Like most countries in the region, Paraguay only has wet and dry periods rather than seasons. Wind plays an important role in influencing the weather: between October and March, a warm wind blows from the Amazon basin in the north, while the period between May and August brings cold winds from the Andes.

The lack of mountain ranges as a natural barrier allows the wind to reach speeds of up to 161 km/h. This also leads to significant temperature fluctuations within a short period of time; between April and September, temperatures sometimes drop below freezing. January is the hottest summer month with an average daily temperature of 28.9 degrees Celsius.

Rainfall varies dramatically across the country, with significant rainfall in the eastern parts and semi-arid conditions in the far west. The Far Eastern Forest Belt receives an average of 170 centimeters of rain per year, while the western Chaco region typically receives no more than 50 centimeters per year. The rains in the west are usually irregular; the fact that they usually evaporate quickly contributes to the dryness of the area.

 

Flora and fauna

Local wildlife includes various species of monkeys, jaguars, cougars, anteaters, tapirs, armadillos, capybaras, ocelots, and reptiles such as caimans, anacondas, and other species of snakes. Paraguay's many fish species include lungfish, which burrow in the mud during the dry season, and piranhas. There are also over 700 species of birds, including toucans, hummingbirds, parakeets and various parrots, as well as the country's largest birds, rheas. Numerous national parks were established in Paraguay to protect them. The largest are in the sparsely populated western part of the country.

The vegetation is densest in the eastern part of Paraguay, which also has the most rainfall. In this part of the country, the trees lose only part of their leaves over the course of the year, so the landscape always looks green. In the much drier Gran Chaco region, on the other hand, bushes and trees thrive and shed their leaves. The extremely hard Quebracho tree also grows in this area, the trunk of which contains the tanning agent tannin and from whose bark a remedy against malaria is extracted. In the driest area, the west, thorn bushes and savannas predominate. The bulbous silk floss tree, which grows up to 23 meters high, also catches the eye in the Chaco. The bark of the young trees is covered with thick, spherical spines, the fibers of which are used by the natives to make rope. Also native to the Chaco is the Palo Santo (Bulnesia sarmiento), whose hard and dense wood sinks in the water. It is used in the construction of furniture and vessels and as a medicine (tea). Also worth mentioning are the Paraguayan coconut palms (Coco del Paraguay), whose trunks are provided with spikes. Their nuts are only golf ball sized and contain no liquid. They are used for soap production. There are also many other types of palm trees in the country.

 

Economy

Paraguay is an agricultural country, one of the world's largest soybean producers (6th in the world).

GDP per capita in 2009 - 4.1 thousand dollars (154th place in the world). Below the poverty level - 52% of the population (in 2006). The minimum wage from July 1, 2018, in accordance with Decree No. 9088/18, dated June 22, 2018, signed by the current former President Horacio Cartes, is ₲ 2,122,562 (approximately $350.68).

Agriculture (22% of GDP, 31% of employees) - cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), fruits, vegetables; meat and dairy farming, pigs, poultry; logging.

Industry (18% of GDP, 17% of employees) - production of sugar, cement, textiles, drinks, timber; hydropower.

Service sector - 60% of GDP, 52% of employees.

At the end of 2012, Paraguayan President Federico Franco announced that an oil field had been discovered in the Chaco semi-desert zone. This may indicate the end of the period of Paraguay's energy dependence on other countries.

In 2018, the Paraguayan gambling regulator issued a license to operate the Amambay Hotel Casino, which will be the first legal gambling establishment in Latin America. Under the terms of the tender, the casino in the city of Pedro Juan Caballero will pay 20% of its income to the state budget.

 

International trade

The main export commodities ($8.68 billion in 2016) are soybeans and soy products (up to 35% of the total), electricity (24% of the total), meat (mainly beef), rice, corn, wheat , wood, leather and skins, gold.

The main buyers of Paraguayan goods (in 2016) are Brazil - 34% ($2.99 ​​billion), Argentina - 9.3% ($0.810 billion), Russia - 7.5% ($0.654 billion), Chile - 6.2% ($0.540 billion) and Italy - 3.7% ($0.323 billion).

The main imported goods ($9.7 billion in 2016) are oil products, machinery and equipment, pesticides and other chemicals, rolled metal, food.

The main suppliers of imports (in 2016) are China - 27% ($2.65 billion), Brazil - 24% ($2.3 billion), Argentina - 12% ($1.15 billion), USA - 7.6% ($0.733 billion) and Chile - 4.3% ($0.414 billion)

 

Population

Population - 7.0 million (July 2010 estimate).

Annual increase - 1.3% (fertility - 2.16 births per woman).

Average life expectancy is 73 years for men, 79 years for women.

Infection with the immunodeficiency virus - 0.6% (2007 estimate).

Urban population - 60% (in 2008).

Literacy - 94% (2003 estimate).

Ethno-racial composition (estimate) - mestizos 95%, other 5%. In the official statistics of Paraguay, ethnicity or race is not taken into account.

The languages ​​are Spanish and Guarani, both official. Unlike other Latin American countries, in Paraguay, the language of the indigenous population, the Guarani language, is widely used for interethnic communication. 37% of the population speak predominantly Guarani, 50% are equally fluent in Spanish and Guarani, and 7% of the population speak predominantly Spanish. A small part of the population speaks Portuguese and German.

Religions - Catholics 89.6%, Protestants 6.2%, other Christians 1.1%, other and undecided 1.9%, atheists 1.1% (according to the 2002 census). Protestants are represented by Assemblies of God believers, Baptists, Lutherans, Mennonites.

 

Culture

One of the major cultural figures of Paraguay is Josefina Pla (1903-1999), a poetess, author of novels and short stories, who also worked in the field of artistic ceramics. Among the famous writers of Paraguay is the winner of the Cervantes Prize Augusto Roa Bastos (1917-2005).

Classical guitarist and composer Agustin Pio Barrios (Mangoré) (1885-1944) - the first major South American guitarist to gain fame in Europe; Author of over 300 pieces for classical guitar.

The national musical instrument is the Paraguayan harp.

 

National holidays

March 1 Heroes Day

May 15 Independence Day

June 12 Peace Day

Attractions
The main architectural and historical landmark of Paraguay is the ruins of the Jesuit Mission of La Santisima-Trinidad de Parana.
Among the natural attractions are several national parks: Cerro Cora, Nyakundai, Defensores del Chaco, Ipoa, Ipacarai, Ibikui, etc.