Paraguay - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 682

Introduction
Paraguay is billed as the “Heart of South America”, but perhaps “South America's
forgotten corner” is more appropriate. Despite being one of the most traditional
countries on the continent and the only one with an indigenous tongue as its
o cial language (Guaraní), Paraguay is far too often passed over by travellers.
Those who do stop here may find themselves pleasantly surprised by the rich
culture, host of under-promoted natural attractions, fascinating and
bloodthirsty history and real feeling of being “off the beaten track”.

Paraguay combines the scorching, arid
wilderness of the Chaco - one of the best
places in South America to see large
mammals - with the wet and humid
Atlantic Forest of eastern Paraguay; the
rampant commercialism of Ciudad del Este
with the muted, backwater feel of colonial
towns like Concepción . Paraguay is
difficult to pin down in part due to its
mixed immigrant intake over the past
century; you're as likely to stumble across
a colony of Japanese migrants, Mennonites
or Australian socialists as you are to meet
an indigenous tribe. Paraguay is not
lacking in attractions - it is part-owner of
the second-largest hydroelectric dam in
the world and home to superbly preserved
Jesuit-Guaraní missions - but tourism is
undeveloped. Don't let this deter you,
though; if you've a sense of adventure and
crave a real, uncommercialized South
American experience, get off the beaten
path in Paraguay.

1844 Rodríguez de Francia is succeeded by Carlos Antonio
López and Paraguay enters its period of greatest prosperity.
1862 Francisco Solano “Mariscal” López takes over as
president from his ailing father, who leaves him with the
deathbed advice that the pen is mightier than the sword.
1865-70 López launches Paraguay into the disastrous
War of the Triple Alliance against Brazil, Argentina and
Uruguay, which saw the country lose much of its territory
and suffer many losses.
1927 The first Mennonites arrive in Paraguay, part of a
campaign to colonize the Chaco.
1932-37 The Chaco War breaks out after rumours of
undiscovered oil reserves provoke a violent reaction from
the Paraguayan government at Bolivian army presence in
the Paraguayan Chaco.
1954 After 22 presidents in 31 years, General Alfredo
Stroessner seizes power and goes on to become the
longest-lasting dictator in South American history,
holding power for 34 years.
1989 Stroessner is driven into exile and Paraguay declares
itself a Republic.
1993 The first democratic elections are held, and are
won by the quasi-liberal Colorados, effectively returning
Stroessner's political party to power.
1999 Eight protesters are shot dead by snipers during pro-
democracy protests during a month of unrest now referred
to as the Marzo Paraguayo.
2008 Fernando Lugo, an ex-Catholic priest with a socialist
agenda, defeats the Colorado Party candidate, ending 61
years of Colorado party rule.
2012 Lugo is impeached in 24hr period in what many
consider to have been a “parliamentary” coup d'état. His
vice president, Federico Franco, continues the presidency
until the 2013 general elections.

8

CHRONOLOGY
1537 The Spanish found the city of Nuestra Señora de
Asunción.
1609 Jesuit missionaries arrive with the aim of converting
indigenous tribes.
1767 The Jesuits are expelled from Paraguay by King
Charles III of Spain.
1811 Paraguay declares its independence from Spain in
a bloodless revolution.
1814 Dr José Gáspar Rodríguez de Francia is chosen as
the first president and takes Paraguay into a period of
isolation and industrialization.
1816 Rodríguez de Francia declares himself “El Supremo”
- dictator for life, becoming progressively more arbitrary
through his reign, suppressing the Church, isolating the
country and taking to torturing opposition.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
A passport valid for six months after
entry is required by all visitors, except
residents of Argentina or Brazil who can