Paraguay+-+Nick+Walsh

= =

toc

Backround
The Republic of Paraguay, or Paraguay, is a land locked country in the center of South America. It borders Brazil, Argentina, and Bolivia. Paraguay is sometimes called the "Heart of South America" as it is in the center of S. America. After its independence to spain ended, Paraguay was ruled by dictators. This helped start the paraguayan war in 1864-1870 that was between Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. Relations have improved and they started the group Mercosur. Paraguay is also the fastest economically growing country in the world behind Qatar.

Flag


The red stripe symbolizes courage, equality and patriotism, the white represents unity, purity and peace, and blue stands for liberty The Paraguayan Flag is the only flag with a different reverse side. The flag was inspired by the french Flag in 1812 with slight alterations every so often through out so forth. The emblems on the first side of the flag is the coat of arms for The Republic of Paraguay, and the emblem reverse side the the treasury symbol which represent liberty.

media type="youtube" key="6ojJE8WUTlo" height="315" width="420"

 * Anthem Lyrics**

A los pueblos de América infausto,

Tres centurias un cetro oprimió,

Más un día soberbia surgiendo,

Basta!..., dijo y el cetro rompió.

Nuestros padres lidiando grandiosos,

Ilustraron su gloria marcial;

Y trozada la augusta diadema,

Enalzaron el gorro triunfal!

Y trozada la augusta diadema,

Enalzaron el gorro triunfal!

Paraguayos, República o muerte!

Nuestro brío nos dió libertad;

Ni opresores, ni siervos, alientan,

Donde reinan unión, e igualdad.

Ni opresores, ni siervos, alientan,

Donde reinan unión, e igualdad.

Unión, e igualdad.

Map
Paraguays geography is has grassy plains and hills to the east and low marshy plains to the west. The weather there is subtropical with usual rains in the east.

Timeline
**1525** - Portuguese explorer Alejo Garcia visits Paraguay. **1537** - Spanish begin colonising the interior plains of Paraguay.**1526** - Italian navigator Sebastian Cabot explores the rivers of Paraguay. **1609** - Spanish Jesuits begin converting the local population to Roman Catholicism. **1776** - Paraguay transferred from the Vice-royalty of Peru to the Vice-royalty of La Plata, which has its capital at Buenos Aires in Argentina. **1808** - Vice-royalty of La Plata becomes autonomous following the overthrow of the Spanish monarchy by Napoleon Bonaparte, but Paraguayans revolt against Buenos Aires. **1811** - Paraguay becomes independent. **1865-70** - Paraguay loses over half of its population and large tracts of land in war with Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay over sea access. **1932-35** - Paraguay wins territory in the west from Bolivia during Chaco war. **1954** - General Alfredo Stroessner seizes power in coup, ushering in more than 30 years of ruthless dictatorship. **1989** - Stroessner deposed in coup led by Gen Andres Rodriguez, who is then elected president. However, Stroessner's centre-right, military-backed National Republican Association-Colorado Party wins parliamentary elections. **1993** - Colorado Party wins simple majority of seats in first free multiparty elections, while its candidate, Juan Carlos Wasmosy, wins first free presidential elections.**1992** - New democratic constitution promulgated. **1998** - Colorado Party candidate Raul Cubas elected president amid allegations of fraud. **1999** - President Cubas resigns in wake of assassination of Vice-President Luis Maria Argana. Luis Gonzalez Macchi appointed caretaker president, forms government of national unity.

Famous People
A football goalkeeper appearing on the National team multiple times and was voted "The Best Goalkeeper in The World" by the IFFHS in 1995, '97, and '98
 * Jose Luis Chilavert**

Served in a number of important national positions during previous administrations before running an unsuccessful bid for president in the country's election,1996-1998
 * Luis Argaña**

A professional tennis player playing worldwide in many tournaments like the French Open, London/Queens Club, England, Washington DC Open and many many more.
 * Victor Pecci**

A professional footballer playing in Premier leagues in Germany and England. He played for Bayern Munich, Blackburn, and Manchester City in his career.
 * Roque Santa Cruz**

**Holidays**

 * January 1 || [|New Year's Day] ||  ||   ||
 * March 1 || Heroes' Day ||  ||   ||
 * March/ April || Maundy/Holy Thursday ||  ||   ||
 * March/ April || Good Friday ||  ||   ||
 * May 1 || [|Labor Day] ||  ||   ||
 * May 15 || [|Independence Day] ||  ||   ||
 * June 12 || Chaco Armistice ||  ||   ||
 * August 15 || Founding of [|Asunción] ||  ||   ||
 * September 29 || Boqueron Battle Victory Day ||  ||   ||
 * December 8 || Virgin of Caacupe ||  ||   ||
 * December 25 || [|Christmas Day] ||

Sports
Futball is the most popular sport there while other sports are Rugby, Basketball, Volleyball, Golf and many more. Futball, brought by a Dutchman, was only really popular in the beginning with high classes but then was played by all classes later on. Paraguay is now ranked 8th in the Fifa and has stayed in the top 40 in the last decade having good form on the world stage. The athletes that come out of Paraguay are look up to by the other Paraguayan people having good national reputations playing in many premier football leagues in Europe. Paraguay are very enthusiastic in following there favorite teams.

The national team is ranked 8th in the world after the 2010 Fifa. They are a regular team in the Fifa having appeared 8 times reaching the quarterfinals in South Africa.
 * Futball (Soccer)**

In the WWII period mineral exploration led to many foreigners being based in Paraguay bringing in Rugby from places like the UK, France, and Argentina. Paraguay rugby is currently ranked 41 out of 96 in the world.
 * Rugby**

There is a Paraguayan Basketball Federation and a Paraguay National team there which competes mostly in South America and all over the world for tournaments. Many Football clubs in Paraguay also own a Basketball squad to make money with the growing sport where it seems Football is the only sport. Basketball is currently 55 out of 82 in the world.
 * Basketball**

Paraguay has a national team winning silver in South American games. It is not played that often amongst common people though.
 * Volleyball**

Tennis is a significant sport in Paraguay. Many notable people that came out of Paraguay are tennis players like.
 * Tennis**



Facts:
Capitol: Asuncion Size: 157,048 Square Miles Location: Central South America Population: 6,454,548 (estimate) Literacy Rate: 94.6% Education: Not too valued historically, but Article 85 states that 20% of the government budget be put into education, but that has been largely ignored...The Universities there are described as low quality and not adequate by the U.S. government.

Religion: Catholicism 89%, Post-16th-Century Christian 7%, None 1%, Other 3% Language: Spanish and Guarani Government: Unitary Presidential Constitutional Republic President: Fernando Lugo Elections every 5 years Major Imports: Road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products, electrical machinery, tractors and chemicals Major Exports: Soybeans, feed, cotton, meat, edible oils, electricity wood and leather

Attractions:

 * Iguazu Falls**: I prime attractions on the out sides of Paraguay and is a designated UNESCO natural heritage site. The waterfall gives lush rain forests, great for tourist. The Falls are so beautiful that it is used as a backdrop for many movies.


 * Panteon Nacional De Los Heroes**: A perfect place for tourist where they can discover Paraguay's lifeline. Its a plaza where people can explore its culture and society of Paraguay. During the day Guarani vendors pop up and sells Paraguayan traditional items like Bow and Arrows and Pottery.[[image:panteon_nacional_de_los_heroes_185551_t0.jpg]]

media type="youtube" key="K7kfnlPTB4M" height="315" width="560" Cites: http://www.worldflags101.com/p/paraguay-flag.aspx

[]

"Paraguay Sports." //Paraguay Sports//. Mapsofworld.com, 1 Mar. 2012. Web. 18 May 2012. .

All Images found on Google Images.