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Country Name
Paraguay, or officially the Republic of Paraguay.
Location
Paraguay is a country located in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest.
Despite being one of only two landlocked countries in South America (the other being Bolivia), it boasts shores, beaches, and ports on the Paraguay and Paraná rivers, which provide access to the Atlantic Ocean through the Paraná-Paraguay Waterway.
Because of its central location in South America, it is also known as The Heart of South America.
Capital
Asunción.
Reason for Naming the country
Paraguay got its name from the Paraguay River. The river is called Rio Paraguay in Spanish, Ysyry Paraguai in Guarani, and Rio Paraguai in Portuguese. The Paraguay River runs across the nation, splitting it in two.
Another Opinion says; The name Paraguay is composed of two words in the Guarani language of Paraguay.
These are the terms 'para' and 'guay.' Scholars believe that 'para' signifies water and 'guay' denotes birth. As a result, the name Paraguay means "the water that gives birth to the Ocean" or "born of water."
According to some experts, 'para' alludes to a large river, 'gua' denotes to or from, and 'y' refers to water. These three translations all imply "water from a great river."
Flag
The flag of Paraguay was first adopted in 1842. The current flag was adopted on July 15, 2013.
The flag consists of three horizontal stripes Red, White, and Blue.
The flag is unique because of its obverse and reverse sides it has 2
different sides: the obverse of the flag shows the national coat of arms,
and the reverse shows the seal of the treasury.
The emblems on the front and back of the flag were changed again in 2013.
It features a white circle with a golden five-pointed star surrounded by an olive and palm branch and the words “Republica Del Paraguay” above.
The reverse of the Coat of Arms also is the Seal of the Supreme Court. It features a right-facing golden lion with a staff and a liberty cap. About is the motto “PEACE AND JUSTICE”.
The Red represents loyalty, courage, heroism, equality, and justice;
The White represents purity, firmness, union, and peace;
The blue represents peace, love, knowledge, truth, and liberty.
*Flag Facts:
- Paraguay is one of the only nations in the world to feature a flag with a different design on each side.
- The flag of Paraguay is similar to the flag of Croatia, the flag of the Netherlands, and the flag of Luxembourg. the only distinguishable bit between the flags is that the flag of Paraguay has the coat of arms featured the flag.
-Although the four flags use similar colors, the flag of Luxembourg has lighter shades of red and blue.
-The triband design of Paraguay’s national flag was inspired by the Dutch and French flags.
Language
Paraguay is a multilingual country. Spanish and Guaran are both official languages.
While Guaran is still commonly used, Spanish is given preferential status in government, business, the media, and education.
There are also Minority Languages Spoken in Paraguay such as; Aché, Ayoreo, Chamacoco, Iyo'wujwa, Kaskihá, Lengua, Maká, Nivaclé, and Pai Tavytera.
Religion
In Paraguay, Christianity, particularly Roman Catholicism, is a major religion. The majority of the population is Catholic, but some are Evangelical Protestant, and indigenous faiths are also followed.
As important religious groupings, there is Judaism, Mormonism, and the Bahá'i Faith.
It also notes a significant Muslim population in Alto Paraná (due to Middle-Eastern immigration, particularly from Lebanon) and a significant Mennonite group in Boquerón.
Currency
Guaraní.
Time Zone
-04:00 GMT.
-03:00 GMT (summer time).
Government Regime
Unitary dominant-party presidential republic.
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