Possibly Paraguay is one of the least known countries outside the region, and specifically in Spain. Well we are here to tell you about Paraguay and interesting facts about Paraguay.
Interesting facts about Paraguay
- Paraguay declared its independence from Spanish rule on May 14, 1811.
- The capital of Paraguay is Asunción.
- The population of Paraguay is 6,996,245 inhabitants.
- Before the arrival of Europeans, Paraguay was inhabited by a native tribe called Guarani.
- The currency of Paraguay is the guaraní.
- Paraguay derives its name from a river of the same name that divides the country into two regions: Paranena and Chaco.
- Asunción was founded in 1537 by the Spanish explorer Juan de Salazar y Espinoza.
- Guaraní and Spanish are official languages of Paraguay.
- According to the last census, Paraguay has a literacy rate of 94 percent and life expectancy is 71 years.
- The majority of Paraguay’s population is Catholic.
- Paraguay has one of the most homogeneous populations in Latin America. About 95% of the country’s population belongs to an important ethnic group, the mestizo, which is a mixture of Spanish and Amerindian races.
- The legal system of Paraguay is based on Roman law, the codes of Argentina, and the French codes.
- The Pantanal, the largest freshwater wetland in the world, extends through Paraguay, Bolivia and Brazil.
- The first railway line in Paraguay was built between 1858 and 1861 by British engineers.
- Paraguay is rich in natural resources such as hydroelectric power, wood, iron ore, manganese and limestone.
- Agriculture and livestock are the main economic activities of Paraguay.
- Paraguay is currently the world’s largest exporter of hydroelectric power. It is co-owner of the Itaipu Hydroelectric Plant with Brazil, which is currently the largest hydroelectric power plant in the world.
- Paraguay is the third world exporter of soybeans.
