Paraguay
Paraguay is the third Latin-American country to have Franciscan missionaries from the Cracow province. Paraguay is a land-locked, tropical country, where Guarani and Spanish are spoken. The origin of the name ‘Paraguay’ is debated. It may mean ‘the river that is the beginning of the sea’, the water of the payaguáes inhabiting the river bank, and the name of the great cacique (tribal leader) Paraguaío. Other theories are that it means ‘a river like a sea’, ‘a river of inhabitants of the sea’ and the crowned river. The capital of Paraguay is Asunción (Assumption). The act of independence was signed on 11 May, 1814.
Anyone who goes to Asunción should be prepared for hot weather and high humidity. Living in Asunción is like getting a free sauna, every day. A bird’s-eye view of the city revea...