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__**Basic Facts about Paraguay:**__

 * Capital:** Asuncion
 * Date of Independance:** May 14th, 1811
 * Type of Government:** Unitary Presidential
 * Currency:** Guarani
 * Total Population:** 6,400,000
 * Major Languages:** Spanish, Guarani
 * Major Religions:** Christian
 * Total Square in Miles and Kilometers:** 157,048 sq miles; 406,752 km sq

Topic 1: __**Geography and Climate**__
Paraguay is a country located in southeast South America between Brazil and Argentina. Paraguay takes up 157,048 square miles (406,752 km) of space. A valuable geographical feature is the Rio Paraguay. The river helps support Paraguay in many different ways. It provides shipping, hydroelectric energy, fishing, and irrigation although it provides many other benefits. The river can also cause rare flooding, which can be destructive. Most of Paraguay’s population lies on or near the Parana Region. The region is found in the humid subtropical climate. Another major geographical feature is the Chaco Plains. The plains are an area of open space often used for cattle farming.

Paraguay’s climate varies which causes the types of jobs to vary. Those that live outside the Parana Plateau are more likely to farm. Those that live in the Parana Region are more likely to be manufacturers.

The climate is hot and humid so Paraguayans do not wear many layers of clothing. Because of the humidity it is not comfortable to wear suits for work, especially during the winter. Since Paraguay is located in the southern hemisphere the seasons are flipped. The summer is cold and the winter hot so their winter is our summer.



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Topic 2: __**Historical Figures and Independence**__
Paraguay, like many other countries, had to fight for their freedom and independence. Not too long ago, the Paraguayans had a dictatorship as the primary government system. First along their list of rulers, was Jose Gaspar Rodriquez de Francia. Jose Gaspar Rodriquez de Francia was born in 1766 and he died in 1840. He served as a ruler from 1814 to 1840. Although he was a dictator, he was a major contributor to pursuing the idea of equality for all. He allowed the Indians to join the military, which shows he wanted a strong military and he accepted other people and civilizations as equals. The army once had 5,500 troops, which was a threat to other countries wanting to attack but in 8 years he cut their budget so it dropped to around 650 troops. Something that he also did to cut the budget was he canceled education for the the young because he thought it was a waste of money. That did not help the Paraguayans.

An act that changed the government to a non-dictatorship only occurred very recently. In 1989, Andrés Rodríguez Pedotti was elected president of Paraguay. He was incredibly helpful to Paraguay in restoring their independence, civil rights, and official political parties. Pedotti will always be remembered for this act and is a prominent name in Paraguay’s history. Since 1999, Paraguay has had 3 presidents which shows that his effort to create a democracy succeeded.



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Topic 3: **__Economy__**
Paraguay's economy is struggling just like the rest of the world, although it has potential. Their economy mostly relies on agricultural and manufacturing revenue. When both of those fields start falling the rest of the economy sinks with it. Paraguay’s currency is called the Guarani. 1 US dollar equals 4,310 Guarani's. Some common jobs found in the more rural parts of Paraguay are farming, like cattle farming, sugar farming, cotton farming, and soy farming. Jobs in the more populated areas such as the Parana Region usually have something to do with the manufacturing, which relies on hydroelectric energy. Another very important factor that Paraguay needs in order to have a strong economy is the trade from bordering countries. Bolivia trades with Paraguay for their pharmaceutical needs. Paraguay returns the favor by exporting natural resources like natural metals, wood, and sugar from farming.

Surprisingly, Paraguay’s unemployment rate (as of 2010) is doing well compared to other big countries such as the United States, France, India, and Spain, although ⅓ of Paraguay’s population is below the poverty line, which does not correspond with the low unemployment rate. The GDP per capita is $5,200, which isn’t very good compared to other prominent countries in South America. Paraguay is ranked 11th in South America. A surprising fact is although Paraguay doesn’t have a big population, and not a high GDP per capita, nor a big economy compared to the world and South America, Paraguay’s economy is rapidly growing annually. It is growing the fastest in South America.



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Topic 4: **__Daily Life, Religion, Fevistivals, and Customs__**
Paraguay has two common greetings. If two people meet that are acquaintances they mostly use a formal Spanish greeting, but if they are family, relatives or friends they often use a native Guarani greeting. Spanish and Guarani are both considered national languages. Most citizens speak both of those languages. Paraguayans are more on the friendly side. They believe that it is nice to greet strangers no matter if they are in a car, bicycle or walking. Just like the US, Paraguayans shake hands as a formal gesture for meeting another person. Relatives or close friends are greeted by a handshake and a little kiss to the cheek. Paraguayan citizens think that winking to each other is a sexual gesture and you should not do it if your are not in a romantic relationship. Like many other countries, Paraguay believes in respecting their elders by holding their hands and getting into praying position to wait for the elder to bless them.

Paraguayans are very social. They enjoy hosting and spending time with each other. Some customs they use are when you are a guest at another friends or relatives house. You must finish your meal or it is considered disrespectful to the cook and host. They are mostly laid back about coming on time or not, they do not find it disrespectful to come late or early. Commonly, citizens do not drink while they eat. After gathering, it is polite for the host to offer a cup of tea or some cookies for a small dessert. Similar to the US, Paraguayans like to bring wine or liquor to formal gatherings. Once everything is finished it is always thoughtful to thank the host and wish them a safe keeping.



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__**Material for this presentation came from the following sources:**__
 * [|__https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/__]
 * [|__http://www.indexmundi.com/g/g.aspx?c=pa&v=74__][|__http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraguay__]
 * [|__http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraguay__]
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">[|__http://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country.php?contid=7&wmn=South_America&cid=124&cn=Paraguay__]
 * History Alive!
 * World Encyclopedia