About Paraguay
The landlocked country of Paraguay is found in South America. It is a small country that is bordered by Argentina to the south and southeast, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Boliva to the northwest. The country is divided into two regions namely; Occidental Region and the Oriental Region. Paraguay experiences wet and dry periods only. It is often passed by backpackers because of its small size. However, the country is filled with surprises once you set your foot to its ground. Experience the beauty through its natural resources, traditional culture, delectable dishes and interesting history. Paraguayans are very welcoming and are always generous to its visitors. Listen to their favorite music while you enjoy their well-prepared traditional dishes and get to experience how wonderful and lively their events are. They know exactly how to have fun and will show you the best of their country. Book a visit to the country and discover life to its fullest!
1. History of Paraguay
During the early 16th century, Paraguay was discovered by the Spaniards. They married the native women and the population became a mixture of mestizo and creole. On May 15, 1811, Paraguay were freed from the jurisdiction of the Spaniards. A series of dictorial governments came after and resulted into the Paraguayan War. Many lives were lost in Paraguay and gave up their rights to property and territories to Argentina and Brazil. The country’s development and interaction of varying cultures and overseas immigrant resulted into a diverse country. 2. A Local Favorite; Football
Football in Paraguay was only practiced by the elite or the upper social class or Paraguay. It soon became the local’s favorite sport and became popular with all social classes. The national football team of Paraguay is a member of CONMEBOL and has been crowned champions in1953 and 1979. It also joined several World Cups and different competitions. The national team of Paraguay won several awards like Copa American Tournaments and a silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games. The football tradition is one of the many reasons why the young loved this sports. They are inspired to practice and be involved as much as possible for the success of the football team. 3. Delicious Paraguayan Cuisine
You can get the most of your food curiosity during your stay in Paraguay. The Paraguayan cuisine common ingredients are meat, vegetables, manioc, and maize. Most of the dishes are based on corn, milk, cheese. Try the pastel mandi’o, made from cornflour, cassava and eggs and filled with a mixture of meat, vegetables and herb seasoning. Barbecue have always been a part of their social events where they can get to enjoy food while enjoying the company of family and friends. One of the staple food of a Paraguayan cuisine is the Mjebú, a starchy cake that has always been a favorite. Discover the many dishes of Paraguay and you will be surprise how rich and tasty every dish is. 4. Joyous Carnival Fiesta
The largest and most awaited festival in Paraguay is the Carnival. It is usually celebrated in Encarnacion City, where it hosts a multi-night event from January to February. The lively festival features colorful floats, pageants, and a lot of music and dancing. Take the opportunity to experience the liveliness of the city as it presents fabulous costumes of the dancers. You’ll also get to meet the joyous Paraguayans while having the best party of your life. Sure enough, they will help you and show you how to have a wonderful time in their country. Keep in mind that buying tickets and booking in advance will help you to get the best of this event. 5. Traditional Music
Music sometimes let us reminisce the happy days and it is not as often as we remember the song, not unless it is played. In Paraguay, hearing the traditional music is easy as it gives off a peculiar sound with its ternary or binary rhythm. The Paraguayan Polka is a folklore traditional music of the country and it originated from Czech. Listen to the Guarania style of music, too. It is well-known in the urban areas of the country because of its slow and melancholic rhythms. For some locals, they prefer a faster style of songs as they dance it and played often for having a good time and celebrations. 6. Shopping in Paraguay
Enjoy the variety of local goods in Paraguay. As you go around, you will encounter the indigenous Paraguayan art. These are handmade products like ceramics, embroideries, woods, baskets and silver works. If you are looking for a personal adornment, you may want to check out the feather work art. It comes in different accessories perfect for your outfit. These are uniquely made anklets, bracelets and headdresses made from feathers. Check also the craftsmanship the Maka tribe, who creates excellent weaving pieces such as colored blankets, belts, and knitted stuff. These are just some of the stuff you can purchase in Paraguay. As you go around, you will definitely see local products suited for your personality. It’s good to have a lot of choices, but the most important thing is that you can take home some of the best in Paraguay. 