10 Best Facts About Paraguay

Paraguay map. Photo by PeterHermesFurian. Unsplash

10 Best Facts About Paraguay

P.J. O’Rourke, an American essayist, once remarked that Paraguay was “nowhere and famous for nothing.” He then went there on business, fell in love with the country, and promptly moved there.

While not everyone is struck by the same powerful attraction, they can all appreciate Paraguay’s history and authenticity. The small and impoverished country is a steamy subtropical land of remarkable contrasts, with a tragic and torrid history of violence and loss.

Wildlife-rich wetlands, sand dune islands, record-breaking waterfalls, and Instagrammable rock formations await outdoor enthusiasts, while those who prefer the finer things in life will find a plethora of cocktail bars, museums, and Unesco-listed buildings to fill their boots. Are you intrigued to learn more? Here are some fascinating facts about Paraguay.

1. Paraguay is nicknamed ‘Corazón de America’

The country is often referred to as the “heart of South America” because it is located near the centre of the continent. Bolivia to the north, Brazil to the east, and Argentina to the southwest surround the country, providing complete protection from all sides against foreign intruders.

2. It has one of the unique flags in the world

Paraguay flag. Photo by daboost. Unsplash

The only country in the world with different emblems on each side is Paraguay. Its flag is made up of equal-length red, white, and blue bands. It has a coat of arms emblem in the centre, and the Navy SEAL is on the back side of the flag. It is similar to the Dutch flag, with one key difference in the emblem.

3. Paraguay has the second-largest hydroelectric dam in the world

Itaipu Dam. Photo by Deni Williams. Unsplash

The river in Paraguay is the second largest in South America. The river is known as the Paraná River. The Paraná River rises in Brazil’s Mato Grosso region and flows through Bolivia, Argentina, and Paraguay. It travels a total of 4881 kilometres. It is only 1520 kilometres short of being the longest river in South America, the Amazon.

The Paraná River is home to the world’s second-largest operational hydroelectric power plant. It is known as the Itaipu Dam, costing $196 billion to construct and maintain. With the amount of concrete used in the dam’s construction, nearly 210 football stadiums could be built.

It was built in 1971 and has been supplying power to the grid ever since. The dam generates nearly all the electricity required by the entire country of Paraguay. Brazil consumes approximately 90% of the electricity generated.

4. Paraguay has the world’s largest landlocked navy

Speedboat Pirá 170, Navy of Paraguay. Photo by Leopard123. Wikimedia

Paraguay is one of South America’s two landlocked countries, the other being Bolivia.

Even though it has no coastline, Paraguay has the world record for the largest Navy SEAL for a landlocked country. Paraguay cleverly overcame the challenge of running a full-fledged Navy. The navy operates through the country’s extensive river network and connects to the sea via Argentina.

5. Paraguay is a bilingual country

Bilingual. Two vector speech bubbles icons. Photo by Igor Levin. Unsplash

Paraguay has two main languages, with Guaraní as the first language and Spanish as the second. It is also one of the few South American countries where the native language is still used as an official language.

Guaraní  is a language with onomatopoeic sounds. Many of its words, like its music, imitate natural animal and environmental sounds.

Guaraní is still widely spoken in Paraguay, regardless of income, politics, or social class. This is one of the country’s unifying characteristics. Other indigenous heritages include traditional 38-string harp music and the bottle dance, in which dancers twirl bottles around their heads.

6. It is normal to announce your arrival by clapping

Clapping hands applause icon. Photo by MaksimYremenko. Unsplash

“If you’re happy, and you know it, clap your hands!” Well, in this country, clapping is also used to announce your arrival. That is a cheerful entry! One that is especially common because people leave their front doors open due to the heat

Due to the extremely hot climate, some homes in Paraguay do not have doors, and the windows are left open. As a result, guests clap their hands rather than knock to announce their arrival.

7. The national beverage is mate

Mate (pronounced “mahtay”) is frequently served warm. Tereré refers to it when served chilled. It is consumed with a bombilla, a metal drinking straw. Plantations grow Yerba maté, which is related to common holly.

A traditional South American caffeine-rich infused herbal drink known as chimarro or Cimarron. It is prepared by soaking dried Yerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis) leaves in hot water and is traditionally served with a metal straw (bombilla) in a container typically made of a calabash gourd (also known as the mate), but also in some areas made of a cattle horn (guampa).

Mate cocido, a similar preparation, removes some of the plant material and is sometimes sold in tea bags. Mate is now commercially available as “Yerba maté” in tea bags and bottled iced tea.

8. The country is famous for its Jesuit ruins

Jesuit ruins. Photo by Maurice Chédel. Wikimedia

The missions are about 10 kilometres apart and are separated by a buffer zone. Although the missions are now primarily archaeological ruins, their original layout followed a similar pattern, with the church serving as the basic unit, the urban core, and the centre of spiritual life.

The father’s residence was next to the church, with the Caciques’ houses nearby. The rest of the mission was made up of the yard, workshop cloisters, garden, Tupa Mbaé, cemetery, and jail.

A large square adjacent to the church faced the four cardinal points, with crosses, statues, and shrines in each of the four corners. The squares were surrounded by streets that were 16 or 18 meters wide. The homes of indigenous residents were on arcaded blocks of 60 meters square.

9. Paraguay has famous tablecloths

Nanduti lace. Photo by Trey Jones. Wikimedia

The people of Paraguay produce some of the finest lacework in the world. Nanduti (meaning “spiderweb”) is a beautiful lace with circular designs that comes in a rainbow of colours. Embroidered cloth, black clay work and ceramics, and stunning silver jewellery with filigree designs are examples of traditional folk arts.

The intricate design of Paraguayan tablecloths made of AO po’i cloth is well known throughout the world. One of them can take over a year to complete.

10. Duelling is still legal in Paraguay

A Duel. Photo by Godefroy Durand. Wikimedia

Looking for an old-fashioned way to get rid of someone? Duels are still legal in Paraguay. However, you must be a registered blood donor to participate. You’ll also need a professional medic on hand in case the inevitable happens. This is, without a doubt, one of the most intriguing facts about Paraguay.