Ms.

Babb Grade 7 February 9th 2012

 Location Place Transportation History and historical facts Vegetation in Paraguay

Why Paraguay?
I chose Asuncion Paraguay because I wanted to do a project on somewhere in South America. Also because I always do a project on somewhere in Europe so I wanted to try something new. I m very interested in the tropics. The capital city of Paraguay is Asuncion. Asuncion was founded in 1537 by a man from Spain named Juan De Salazar. Paraguay is mostly colony of Spain. Asuncion in English means assumption, it refers to Mary because Mary Asuncion means, Our Lady, Holy Mary of the assumption. It is South East in the world.

Paraguay is located in the center of the southern half of South America, northeast of Argentina. It is also bordered by Bolivia to the northwest and Brazil to the east. With an area of 406,750 square kilometers (157,046 square miles), Paraguay is almost as large as the state of California.

About Asuncion
The population in Asuncion is approximately 520 000 people. Around 30% of Paraguay s six million people live around Greater Asuncion. 65% of the total population is under the age of 30. The longest river in Asuncion is the second longest river called Parana River Steamer. It travels 3000 miles over Iguazu Falls into Paraguay. This city is 117 km2 with an elevation of 43 metres. Area codes in Asuncion are +59521.

Flag of Paraguay
The flag of Paraguay was adopted in 1842 and simplified in 1991. It was the only national flag with emblems on either side. Each side of this flag has three equal, horizontal strips. The colours are red, white and blue; with an emblem in the center of the white strip. The emblem is the coat of arms for Paraguay. The emblem has a yellow star surrounded by a green wreath. Above the wreath it says REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY which means Republic of Paraguay. This is one of the oldest national flags with it s colours inspired by the French national flag, meaning liberty and independence. Separately, the red stripe symbolizes courage, equality and patriotism; the white represents unity, purity and peace; and blue stands for liberty, goodwill and truth. The olive branch represents peace and the palm branch represents honour.

Climate
Asuncion has a humid, a little bit of tropical climate. The average temperature is 23C. Usually, Asuncion has a very short dry season that is only during the month of July and a wet season that covers the rest of the year.

Climate

Paraguay s religion is mostly Roman Catholic with some small groups of Baha'i, Buddhist and Jewish beliefs. Paraguay and it s multicultural heritage can be followed to the intermarriage between the male Spanish settlers and female indigenous Guarani women. Paraguayans are now known are a fusion of two cultures and traditions: One European and the other Southern Guarani. 80% of Paraguayans speak both Spanish and the Indigenous language. New years is the same as North America and March 1st is heroes day. The 12th of June is Peace Of Chaco Day), August 15th is Constitution day. They still have Christmas Religions, Customs & on the same days and such. Just like North Traditions Americans.

Traditional food & drinks

The food in Paraguay owes a lot to many European, Spanish and Indigenous cultures. The traditional food of Paraguay has it s roots from the ground of the country itself. The two ingredients that make the base of this food is Cassava (shrub or root) and corn. The traditional drink is called Mate and it is prepared by steeping (soaking) dry leaves in hot water.

Traditional Paraguayan Dress

Most Paraguayan wear clothes that look a lot like Latin American clothes. Women prefer brighter colours. Men and women wear the poncho and women wear a Shawl. Shawls are a rectangular or square piece of cloth that is usually wrapped around your head.

Paraguayan Traditional Dress

Transportation
Because the Paraguay River runs right beside Asuncion, the city is served by a river at the end of the downtown area. Public transportation is very used and served through buses that reach all parts of the city and dorms near universities, colleges etc.

Transportation

In 1541, Natives destroyed Buenos Aires and the Spaniards quickly transported to Asuncion. The city of Asuncion became the center of a large Spanish province as also part of Brazil. As for famous people taking part in the making of history, Pedro Juan Caballero is the greatest piece of example in Paraguay for independence and faith in the wars. The war in Paraguay eventually came May 15th 1811. Along with Paraguay s first leader Jose Gasper Rodriquez de Francia, He was born January 6th 1766 and died September 20th 1840. He ran Paraguay from 18141840. Most of Paraguay s history is poorly written. The following picture is of Spain getting independence declared.

History and Historical Facts

Jose Gasper Rodriquez de Francia & Pedro Juan Caballero

Paraguay Historians

Paraguay's vegetation is crowded in the east, in the Gran Chaco there are leaf-shedding scrubs, and in the west there are large, open grassy areas.
Plant vegetation in Paraguay looks like this. Purple passion fruit, native to Brazil. Travels through Paraguay to northern Argentina.

Vegetation in Paraguay

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/jos%C3%A9_Gaspar _Rodr%ADgues_de_Francia http://www.mapsofworld.com/Paraguay/culture/fa mousmous-people.html http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_tradition al_clothing_in_paraguay http://paraguay254.tripod.com/climate_and_vege tation.htm Other information found: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/asunci%C3%B3n

Bibliography