Paraguay (Republic of South America)

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

2026 Editor's Note: This page uses language about race that was commonplace when the book was published and is offensive by today's standards. The text has been left exactly as it was printed, rather than cut or softened, so that the historical record — including how ordinary such language once was — is preserved. (Ed: ET 2026-07-22) a republic of South America; bounded on the N. and N. E. by Brazil, on the S., S. E., and S. W. by the Argentine Republic, and on the N. W. by Bolivia; area, about 98,000 square miles; pop. (1905) 631,347; (1920) about 1,000,000. Topography.- A mountain chain called Sierra Amamboy, running in the general direction of N. to S., and bifurcating the E. and W. toward the S. extremity divides, under the the tributaries name of Sierra of the Maracayu Paraná, from those of the Paraguay, none of which are very considerable, though they are liable to frequent and destructive overflows. The N. portion of Paraguay is in general covered by low, gently plains, dotted with palms. There are mountains in the N. E. and N. W. corners. The S. portion is one of the most fertile districts of South America, conwooded, of wide savannas, which afford of hills and gentle richly excellent pasture ground, and of rich alluvial plains, some of them marshy, or with shallow pools of water, but a large proportion are of extraordinary fertility cultivated. and highly Climate. The climate is temperate, reaching as high as 100° in summer, but in winter being generally 45°. Production. The meat packing and curing industry has been greatly developed in recent years, and hides, jerked beef, and other animal products are exported in considerable quantities. Yerba maté, or Paraguay tea, a natural product of the forests, is one of the chief articles of export. There were sent abroad in 1918 3,628,436 kilos of yerba. Tobacco is one of the principal products, and about 220,000 cwts. are exported annually. Paraguay also produces quebracho extract to the amount of about 25,000 tons annually. The area devoted to sugar, which is used largely for the manufacture of spirits, is about 12,- 000 acres and the sugar production is about 1,700 tons annually. Agriculture is for the most part primitive, but the cultivation of cotton has been een encouraged, but is not yet developed. Iron, manganese, copper, and other minerals occur in various parts of the country. Commerce. The total imports in 1918 amounted to £1,030,345, and the exports to £1,234,264. The chief imports are textiles, provisions, hardware, wines, and spirits. The chief exports are hides, yerba, ora oranges, tobacco, timber, canned and preserved beef, and quebracho extract. Transportation. There is a railway from Asunción to Encarnación, a distance of 232 miles. There are also several other lines and roads. There is a national telegraph line with about 2,050 miles of wire. There are three wireless telegraph stations. In 1918, 3,705 vessels entered the port of Asunción, and 3,708 cleared. Education. Education is free and nominally compulsory. There were in 1918 1,086 primary schools, with 65,612 307 teachers. There are pupils and 1,607 several private schools, including commercial schools. There are 7 National Colleges with an attendance of about 1,500. There is also a university which has about 250 students. Finances. The revenue and expendiamount to about $1,000,000 tures annually. The external debt in January 1, 1919, amounted to about 37,000,000 paper dollars. Government.- On Nov. 25, 1870, a new constitution was proclaimed. Th There is a Congress composed of a Senate and a House of Deputies. The members of both houses are elected by popular vote at the ratio of one senator for every 12,000 inhabitants, and one representative for every 6,000 dent's cabinet, viz., Interior, Finance, Justice and Worship, War and Foreign Affairs. By the law of 1919 there are 20 senators and 40 deputies. History. The history of Paraguay is highly interesting. It was discovered by Vol. VII-Cyc Sebastian Cabot in 1526, but the first colony was settled in 1535 by Pedro de Mendoza, who founded the city of Asunción and established Paraguay as a province of the vice-royalty of Peru. In the latter half of the 16th century the Jesuit missionaries were sent to the aid of the first preachers of Christianity in Paraguay; but for a long time they were almost entirely unsuccessful, the effect of their preaching being in a great degree bein marred by the profligate and cruel conduct of the Spanish adventurers, who ad formed the staple of the early colonial population. In the 17th century the home government consented to place in their hands the entire administration, civil as well as religious, of the province; and, in order to guard the natives against the evil influences of the bad example of European Christians, gave to the Jesuits the right to exclude all other Europeans from the colony. From this time forward the progress of civilization as well as of Christianity was rapid. In 1811 Paraguay declared itself independent of Spain, and from that time to the present has existed as a republic ruled by dictators or presidents, some of whom have really been great despots. The central department, in which the capital, Asunción, is situated, contains nearly one-third of the whole inhabitants; and the capital itself, 45,000. The inhabitants of the towns consist chiefly of whites, or of half-breeds, speaking sh. The native population of the . Spanish provinces are chiefly Guaranis, speaking the Guarani language. In 1865-1870 Paraguay was at war with the combined forces of Brazil, the Argentine Confedfore eration, and Uraguay, and as a result of that struggle lost much territory. The of the significant feature of the history been the development of agriculture and railways. There have been light litical disturbances. There was a civil war in 1911 and 1912, but in the latter year Eduardo Sherer became president and began an epoch of peace. Many reforms were made by administration of the laws and measures were taken to se cure the prosperity of the people. There was a revolt against his rule in 1915 but it was repressed. In the same year inhabitants. The the government signed a treaty with Boinhabita executive authority is vested in a presi- livia providing for the settlement of dent, whose term of office is four years. boundary disputes. Paraguay remained There are five departments in the presi- neutral in the World War until Germany proclaimed its submarine blockade. It then severed diplomatic relations. The Assembly on Nov. 13, 1919, approved the League of Nations. Dr. Manuel Gondra was inaugurated president on Aug. 15, 1920. 8