Download Paraguay is a landlocked nation in South America.

Paraguay is a landlocked nation in South America.
Paraguay is a landlocked country in the heart of South America. It borders three
larger nations: Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia. The capital of Paraguay is the ancient
city of Asunción. Asunción is located at the point where two major rivers come
together: the Rio Paraguay and the Rio Paraná.
The Rio Paraguay is the longest river in the country. It runs through the middle of
Paraguay, marking off two very different areas. The western section is part of a huge
plain called the Gran Chaco. This plain covers much of the central part of South
America. It is usually very dry, but it floods during rainy season.
About 6.5 million people live in Paraguay, and 95 percent of them live in the eastern
section. This part of the country is called the Parañena. This area gets more rain
throughout the year, and is much better for agriculture, which is important to
Paraguay’s economy. It is also closer to Argentina and Brazil. This helps Paraguay
export crops such as soybeans and cotton to the two largest countries in South
America.
Paraguay has also built hydroelectric power stations on Rio Paraná, and sells energy
to Brazil and other countries. Paraguay’s economy has grown lately, but about 30
percent of Paraguayans still live in poverty. Horacio Cartes was elected president of
Paraguay in 2013, leading the conservative Colorado Party.
Paraguay honors its Guaraní heritage.
The Native Americans called the Guaraní have lived in the central part of South
America for thousands of years. In Paraguay, Guaraní people make up only about
five percent of the population, but 95 percent of Paraguayans speak both the
Guaraní language and Spanish. The national currency is even called the guaraní.
Most Paraguayans follow the Catholic religion.
Paraguay became a Spanish colony in the early 1500s, and finally gained its
independence in 1811. But it almost disappeared from the map just a few decades
later. In 1862, President Francisco Solano López led Paraguay into a war against
Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. When it was all over in 1870, Paraguay had lost
not just the war, but about 60 percent of its population from fighting and disease. It
also lost a lot of land to Argentina and Brazil. This was the bloodiest war in South
America’s history. Even though he lost, López is still considered a great hero in
Paraguay for his bravery in fighting against bigger countries.
Over the years, Paraguay has accepted many immigrants. Many people have
come from Europe, Brazil, and Argentina to settle there. This has helped to boost
Paraguay’s relatively low population.