Asunción is the capital city of Paraguay, located on the Paraguay River. It is Paraguay’s principal port, a major industrial hub, and Paraguay’s cultural center. It is an autonomous district that has been given the formal name of Ciudad de Asunción. From the river’s eastern bank, Asunción is spread out over hills that resemble rectangular blocks.
Founded in 1537, Asunción is considered as one of South America’s oldest cities, and a city with a distinctly grand facet. The atmosphere is enhanced even further by roofs in red tiles, patios of vibrant colors, and beautiful flowering trees. The exceptional structures that surround the city of Asunción are composed of government buildings like the La Encarnación Church, the Godoi Museum, which now formally known as the Museo de Bellas Artes, and the Panteón Nacional de los Héroes a smaller replica of the Paris “Les Invalides,” a cemetery for the country’s heroes. Apart from these are the beautiful botanical gardens of the city. Asunción has been called Mother of Cities, as it was here that several colonial Jesuit expeditions made their leave to begin their explorations, as well as start establishing several other cities.
Asunción has been Paraguay’s trade gateway for so many centuries. The river terminal at the Asunción Port operates as a transportation route, primarily for a majority of freights either entering or exiting from Paraguay. This port is run by the government ever since 1940, though it was originally a privately owned port. The city is a delightful blend of both old and contemporary architecture. A lot of old and grand colonial buildings proudly stand, serving as a memory of Asunción’s history. Along with them are the more modern high-rises and up-to-date shopping malls. It is Paraguay’s cultural center, home to numerous museums, cathedrals, theatres, artisan shops, and a nightlife that is vibrant with the many great night spots and bars in the city. Strolling down Palma, vendors sell the Ñanduti, a famous embroidered lace, while the music of harps from the music stores makes your day even more relaxing. The people of South America are passionate about music, which is why the night life is alive with sounds coming from the different night spots offering live music. The traditional music of Paraguay is extremely popular, along with the more contemporary Spanish and English rock.
Asunción also abounds with numerous restaurants that suit all tastes. In the eastern part of town, the view is quite astounding, with its lavish villas and modern structures. Here too is where you would find the malls that house food courts serving up a variety of foods, whether local or international. If you are a lover of classical music, regular concerts are held in a concert hall that was founded by the Paraguayan National Bank. Another beautiful aspect of the city is the huge trees that surround the area and its many plazas and parks. Hotels abound too, with prices that range widely so that there is a place for anyone’s budget. Budget type accommodations could be found in the areas surrounding Plaza Uruguay. This is where one could catch the most spectacular view of purple blooms emerging from the Lapacho trees. For 4-star or 5-star hotels, there are a few to be found at the Plaza de Heroes.
The city’s total land area is 117 square kilometers or about 45.2 square miles. If you are to include the metropolitan area, the land size would cover 1,000 square kilometers, which is equivalent to 400 square miles. The city lies at an elevation of 43 meters or 141 feet, with some small hills dotting the landscape. Asunción is located at Paraguay River’s left bank, with geographic coordinates that register 25° 16’ 55.91” south and 57° 38’ 6.36” west.
In 2009, the city’s population was 542,023, giving a population density of 4,411 for each square kilometer or 11,420 people sharing each square mile of land area. While the city’s population is just over half a million, the metropolitan area of Asunción is home to 2,329, 061 Asuncenos and Asuncenas.
The ideal time to go and pay a visit to Asunción would be during the time when average temperatures are at 20 °C or 68 °F to 30 °C or 86 °F. This would be practically the whole year. June, July until August are great months to visit as well, with temperatures on the cooler side, from about 10 °C or 50 °F to 20 °C or 68 °F. It is warmest in the city in January with temperatures averaging from 22.8 °C or 73 °F to about 33.5 °C or 92.3 °F. Conversely, the coldest month of the year would be July where the temperature is at an average of 18.15 °C or 64.7 °F, although it could go down to a minimum of 13.1°C or 64.7 °F.
Although Asunción is among the safer cities within South America, it is still best to practice safety precautions while you are visiting the place. The Federal police are highly visible in the area, with some of them wearing their riot gear in case any form of uprising should occur at any time. In spite of the fact that the dictator was someone who never tolerated any form of crime, it is not common. Though he is not in power anymore, some people imagine that crime rates are on the rise. As a matter of fact, one would notice that houses have walls as high as 20 feet, with barbed wire or razor wires to keep them protected. A lot of the more affluent residents may even have guards on duty for 24 hours as an added measure. Prostitution is also rampant in the city after dark, along with transvestite prostitutes that are best avoided. However, violent crimes are rare, despite what people perceive.
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Generally, not too many tourists visit Paraguay, and visitors do not have to worry too much about being specific targets of undesirable elements. What tourist must watch out for more are the petty thieves and pick-pockets that typically loiter in crowded areas. It is also best to have taxis use their meters, as there are a number of drivers who try to rip off tourists when given the chance. Women who travel alone may also experience some unwanted attention coming from the Paraguayan men and they must simply ignore it. It is also important to note that crossing the streets of Asunción must be done with precaution. A lot of the drivers do not really pay heed to stop signs. Bus drivers are also quite reckless so practice caution at all times. An area in Asunción to be avoided is “chacarita,” sitting by the Palace. This place is highly impoverished and quite dangerous so that it is not where anyone should try to explore. It is also recommended that when one plans to visit Asunción, he/she must get vaccination for typhoid before travelling. There is a risk of dengue fever, too. In order to avoid acquiring any type of diseases from insects, it would be wise to make use of bug spray any time while in Asunción.
The city is the economic center of Paraguay. English is rarely spoken in the city and if you want to get by or possibly want to establish a business in the city, it is best that you could speak Spanish. With this kind of situation, the need for the services of a translation and interpretation agency is quite essential. While not a regular tourist destination, Asunción still has plenty of attractions to delight travelers.
History of Asunción
The historical beginnings of Asunción as a city were a bit sketchy, but its tumultuous past is indeed a fact. The once beautiful and regal city of Asunción is now just beginning to get back on its feet once again. It is considered a young city with more than 65% of its population still under 20 years of age.
For a long time, Asunción was the center of the Spanish Empire, before it was transferred to Buenos Aires, which was actually an offspring of the city of Asunción. From all accounts, it seemed that it was Spanish conqueror Juan de Ayolas who first laid eyes on the area that is now Asunción. That was during the 16th century. He was not about to conquer the area but was rather trying to reach Bolivia’s silver mines. He met an untimely death in the hands of the aborigines on his return trip,though. A countryman, Juan de Salazar was sent to search for him and his companions. He failed on his mission but found the area, which was located at the crux of the Paraguay River and Pilcomayo River advantageous. They proceeded to erect a fort around 1537 and christened it Nuestra Señora de la Asunción because they finished the construction on Assumption Day.
It then became the trading post going towards Peru, thriving very well under the able governance of Domingo Martinez de Irala, founder of South America’s first “cabildo” or military dictatorship. Being the most significant town within the region of the Rio de Plata, the city of Asunción was the heart of Jesuit activities, including the conversion of the local population. It was from here that a city developed surrounding the fort, and where other explorers proceeded to establish other cities within the area, such as Buenos Aires, Santa Fe and Santa Cruz. In 1731, there was an uprising of the “comuneros” led by José de Antequera y Castro. This was a major rebellion against the colonial rule of Spain. Asunción’s eminence ended because of the development of Buenos Aires that was not a part of the jurisdiction of Asunción. The country went through several dictators, from José Gaspar Rodríguez from 1814 to 1840, to Carlos Antonio Lopéz from 1844 to 1862, then under Francisco Solano Lopéz, son of Carlos Antonio from 1862 until 1870. This last dictator initiated what would eventually be the 5-year Paraguayan War with Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina. Casualties of the war amounted to around 300,000. Following the War of the Triple Alliance in 1865-1870, the city was taken over by troops from Brazil, an occupation which lasted until 1876.
This was devastating for the country and had long-term effects. Aside from around 55,000 square miles of productive land lost in the northeast and southeast parts of the country, the Paraguayan government was left with no choice but to sell a huge number of its resources to pay for damages. Following the occupation, the country went under authoritarian rule. It also went through a war against Bolivia, suffered a military takeover, and in 1946, got involved in a civil war.
In 1954, Alfredo Stroessner took over, ruling as dictator up to 1989, at which time, Paraguay was gradually cut off from the rest of the world. In February of 1989, General Andres Rodríguez led the military coup that had Stroessner overthrown. Rodríguez was elected president in May of the same year. He proceeded to work on various reforms and instigated reconciliation with the rest of the world. In 1992, the new constitution based on a democratic form of government was established, which made significant improvements on the protection of basic rights.
Demographics of Asunción, Paraguay
As of 2009, the approximate number of people in the city proper of Asunción was over five hundred thousand. In Gran Asuncíon, the city’s metropolitan area, consisting of Fernando de la Mora, San Lorenzo, Luque, Lambaré, Villa Elisa, Mariano Roque Alonso, and Nemby, the population size is beyond 2.3 million. About 10% of the 6.5 million population of Paraguay live in the city.
The population of Asunción has significantly increased, resulting from internal migration initially due to the ‘70s economic boom. Later on, it was the economic recession happening within the country side. Gran Asuncíon’s adjacent cities have taken in a huge part of the influx as the cost of land in the area is quite low, and its easy accessibility to the city. Asunción has been named cheapest city to reside in for 5 continuous years by Mercer Human Resource Consulting.
Roughly 95% of the population are mestizos, a mixture of Spanish and the Guarani Indians. The rest of the population are the pure Amerindian, Whites and Asian, including Taiwanese, Japanese Okinawan and Chinese. Almost 57% of the population of Asunción speak Spanish, while about 11% speak Guarani. These are the official languages of the city. Jopará, a mix of Guarani and Spanish with pidgin is another language that is spoken by about 24.7% of the population. There are also a few Italians, Germans, Arabs, Koreans, Argentines, and Brazilians who have kept their own languages, as well as cultures, especially the Brazilian population. Not only the city but the whole country of Paraguay are primarily Roman Catholic, with around 6.2% Protestant, and 1.1% other Christian. The literacy rate in Asunción is 95%, which is actually the highest anywhere in Paraguay.
Economy of Asunción, Paraguay
The city of Asunción has continuously served as Paraguay’s economic center, primarily because of the governing bodies situated there. It is also a major distribution center. The industries in Asunción include sugarcane, cotton, corn, tobacco, flour, fruits, cattle products, and vegetable oils. The city also produces small types of river crafts, footwear, and textiles.
Commerce is booming once again in Asunción and things are looking positively as supermarkets and shopping malls are being built. The city is the location of the country’s stock exchange. International banks are opening their headquarters in the capital city. HSBC, Citibank and Itau Bank are some of the international finance companies in the city, where other banks in Paraguay, including its central bank are servicing the city and the nation.
The city’s main economic indicators are all looking up. It has quite a large working-age population that comprises 84% of its population, with 50% of the total working age population still economically active. Currently the unemployment rate is about 7% of the economically active population.
River steamers owned by foreigners are used to transport freight. The river terminal could be found in Asunción’s downtown area. The terminal for long-distance buses is found on Republica Argentina Avenue. The city itself is serviced by Silvio Pettirossi International Airport in Luque, which is one of the satellite cities of Asunción, and named after Silvio Pettirossi, a Paraguayan aviator. Prior to that, the airport was named after the former dictator of Paraguay, Presidente General Stroessner.
It is also in Asunción where the National University, as well as several other colleges are located. Ever since 1982, the schools in Asunción have doubled in number. This includes private, as well as public schools. Numerous universities are here, too. Catholic schools and those that are run by the state share in educating the citizens of the city and the country.
Asunción Attractions
Early during the Spanish colonization, Asunción was the center of the Spanish rule in the region. A lot of Asunción’s historical sections, including the city’s delightful colonial structures and its plazas are by the river, where the city began and which visitors could reach by foot. One structure that the Spanish government has renovated in for the 500 year anniversary of Americas’ discovery is the Casa Viola, which is a wonderful example of the early colonial type of architecture. The Casa de la Independencia is a must-see. This is where the secret meetings were held by revolutionaries as they made their plans for battle to gain independence. The building is home to relics coming from the revolution of 1811. Other colonial structures and government buildings that are great for photo souvenirs include the horseshoe-shaped Government Palace or Palacio del Gobierno, which is considered a one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. It is particularly spectular when viewed at night as the whole building glows in soft white light. Its construction was started during the reign of General Francisco Solano López. The building is alternatively called the Palacio de los López. This is where the seat of government is located. The beautifully remodelled Teatro Municipal is a venue for plays and symphony and band performances. The Teatro Municipal and the Municipal Catedral look radiant and ethereal when lit up at night, making them wonderful subjects for photographs.
Stroll around the Plaza de los Héroes where many shops sell locally-made products. Nearby is the pink-domed Panteón Nacional de los Héroes, the final resting place of an unknown soldiers and the country’s numerous heroes and past presidents. The Plaza de la Independencia is where you would find both the Palacio Legislativo and Catedral Metropolitana, a cathedral that was constructed back in 1687, noted for its huge golden altar and magnificent religious art. Walk around Calle Palma, which is the main thoroughfare in downtown Asunción, the site of numerous historical structures, shops, plazas and restaurants. The Manzana Rivera is located across the Presidential Palace, and is actually a chain of the old traditional houses, renovated and functioning today as the museum that depicts Asunción’s architectural evolution. If you want to take a trip to cities like Luque or Areguá, old trains are still fully functional and maintained by the railway station of years past.
The city of Asunción is also home to several museums that visitors would surely want to see. The Museo de Bellas Artes for instance has a collection of paintings and interesting sculptures created by Paraguayan artists and South Americans as well. Here, one would also find numerous historical documents and learn more about the city’s history. The Museo del Barro is the most well-known museum in Asunción that showcases Asunción’s human history. Initially conceived to showcase the development of ceramic art in Paraguay, it now has a large collection of Guarani ceramics, indigenous and re-Columbian art, historical artifacts, contemporary art and different kinds of masks worn by Paraguayans during various fiestas. The Parque de Museo de Historia Natural is presently being revived and features a museum with wildlife exhibits, along with a golf course, a miniature zoo, and a camping area as well. Asunción’s botanical garden, the Jardin Botánico y Zoológica is found just on the town’s outskirts. This is the perfect place for a relaxed stroll, and is also a place to discover some of the wildlife living within the area.
The present-day Museo de Cabildo was a building whose exterior was not to be viewed by Paraguayans during the time of dictator Francia. This was where the 1870 Constitution of Paraguay was proclaimed. The museum showcases the history of the country, while the Government of Taiwan donated and constructed a new glass building, the Palacio Legislativo that houses the country’s Congress nearby.
Before leaving Asunción make sure to drop by the Gran Hotel del Paraguay, the oldest hotel in the country. It used to be the residence of Solano Lopéz’s mistress. It is a hotel and tourist attraction in one, where you would be able to bask in its tropical gardens and take a look at some of the art and furnishings collections from a bygone era. The life and culture of Paraguay has a large place at the Andrés Barbero Ethnological Museum. Here you would find historical artifacts as well as trace the development of the country’s culture and lifestyle through the years.
When it comes to restaurants, the city has much to offer. At the city’s center are great places where you could order delicious burgers, pasta, steak and various types of cuisine.
Tourists will not find a lack of shopping places to see in the city, where they can bring home mementoes of their stay in Asunción. The city has a number of luxurious malls like the Shopping del Sol and the Mariscal López Shopping, with shops that also sell popular brands. Other malls are downtown’s Mall Excelsior and the Shopping Villa Morra, located in Asunción’s central district. The weekend activities at Petrossi Market are something that you should witness first hand. This is the best way to have a slice-of-life view of how Paraguayans live and their disposition.
Asunción Culture
The way people greet each other in Asunción, as in any other part of Paraguay, varies according to social status and gender, apart from how familiar one is with another. Aside from the more formal occasions, women from both the upper and middle class greet one another by kissing each other on both cheeks. The males and the females of the same social class do the same. In formal situations, men will generally shake hands. This follows when they say goodbye to one another.
Paraguay and all its cities primarily practice the Roman Catholic faith. There are some belonging to Protestant sects, as well as small groups that are of the Jewish, Buddhist, and Baha’i faith. Apart from the holidays and the rituals that are followed by the Roman Catholic faith, the country pays homage to the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception. December 8 is the date when the pilgrimage is led by government officials and religious leaders to Caacupé, a holy shrine, where a statuette of Our Lady of the Miracles is enshrined. With regards to death, it is still the tradition of the Roman Catholic faith that is followed by the people of Asunción, and the whole of Paraguay. Those who have passed are laid to rest in mausoleums, and novenas are observed as well. November 1 is the celebration of All Saints’ Day, where the families of the deceased decorate the tombs of loved ones and gather together in the cemeteries to honor them.
The basic diet of Paraguayans is corn, mandioca or cassava and beef. The mandioca root will usually be served boiled, while the starch forms the main ingredient in a lot of the more traditional dishes such as chipa and mbejú, a Guarani word that means cake. Noontime is when people usually eat their main meal that include food that are either mandioca or corn-based. The yerba mate or Paraguayan tea is everywhere, taken either hot or cold, with medicinal herbs frequently added in. The leaves could also be toasted or boiled, which is then made into tea for breakfast or as a snack in the latter part of the day. During special occasions with family or other social gatherings, the asado or barbecue is usually included, along with beef that is roasted on top of an open fire. This goes together with the sopa paraguaya and the mandioca. For Christmas and Holy Week, as well as the other religious holidays that call for celebrations, the chipa or cheese bun is prepared as well.
The Guaranis are very artistic and many traditional arts and crafts are still created by them. They are very good at wickerwork and continuously come up with beautiful woven bags and baskets of different materials such as the pindo palm, caraguatá, and tacuarembó. The indigenous people in Asunción are very adept at feather art, creatively using colorful feathers for anklets, collars and bracelets. They are known for their colorful feather cloaks and headdresses that are usually worn only by shamans and other notable people during special ceremonies.
Another standout traditional craft in Asunción is ceramic art, which ranges from items used for culinary purposes to decorative items. These ceramic pieces are very distinctive, with their heavy ornamentation including, urucú and engobe designs, with some influenced by traditional Andean art. You are likely to find different types and styles of ceramics available in shops and from artisans that sell their wares near museums.
Paraguayan folks are also into wood carving. You are likely to see different styles of wooden masks made for various purposes, as well as animal and human-like figures, small chairs or apyká, pipes and other items used for various ethnic rituals.
Like other South American countries and cities, people in Asunción are great music lovers. At night, entertainment venues in the city come alive. You are likely to hear traditional Paraguayan songs as well as Spanish and English rock performed by local artists.
Interesting Facts about Asunción
The city of Asunción, Paraguay has some very interesting facts that visitors may want to know about. Knowing a few of these things makes the place even more interesting than it already is.
- Asunción and the country of Paraguay itself speak not only the Spanish language, but Guarani as well. You will also be able to encounter numerous people with Mennonite roots speaking in German.
- Almost 95% of Paraguay’s inhabitants are mestizos, descending from ancestries that are a mix of Spanish and American Indians.
- In Paraguay, it is legal to participate in duels. These are done in the presence of medical staff, and those who participate should be registered as blood donors.
- Paz y Justicia, translated in English as Peace and Justice, is the motto of Paraguay.
- Europeans were the first people to arrive in Paraguay during the early part of the 16th century. In August of 1537, Gonzalo de Mendoza and Juan de Salazar, Spanish explorers, founded Asunción, which is Paraguay’s capital city.
- In Asunción and every area of Paraguay, it is still the family unit that rules.
- Mandioca is the country’s national meal, a mixture of maize and beans. The local tea is called mate.
- The history of Paraguay and its city is filled with conflicts with Bolivia.
- Paraguay and all of its cities, including the capital, Asunción, is deeply conservative. At present, debates are ongoing regarding the number of children that are born outside of wedlock.
- The United States of America is a very close ally of the country and Paraguay is home to a U.S. army base consisting of 20,000 American soldiers.
- Roughly half of Paraguay’s population earns through agriculture.
- Asunción is a twin city to several cities in Latin South America, Asia, England and the United States. Its twin cities include Rosario, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Formosa, Corrientes, Resistencia, Posadas and Santa Fe in Argentina; Iquique in Chile; Campinas, Curitiba, São Paulo, Venezuela and Caracas in Brazil; Chimbote and Trujillo in Peru. Likewise, Asunción is twin city to Santo Domingo of the Dominican Republic; Chiba in Japan; Madrid, Spain; Liverpool in England; Nashville and Miami in the United States; Taipei, Taiwan; Bogotá in Colombia; Santa Cruz de la Sierra in Bolivia and Puebla de Zaragoza and Mexico City in Mexico.
References:
http://worldhistoryclass.com/2011/03/Asunción-capital-of-paraguay
http://www.canal5paravision.com/Asunción-paraguays-capital-city
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Asunción#Economy
http://gosouthamerica.about.com/cs/southamerica/a/ParAsunción.htm
http://www.world-climates.com/city-climate-Asunción-paraguay-south-america
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asunci%C3%B3n#Tourist_attractions
http://ww2.panaftosa.org.br/cosalfa39/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50&Itemid=71&lang=en
http://www.everyculture.com/No-Sa/Paraguay.html