Another Old South American River City, Part 2

The river city, Asuncion, Paraguay, is the capital city, and the center of controversy regarding the vast land directly to the country's east.  In the 1930's, Paraguay and all its neighbors claimed "The Chaco, with its high native stock grasses and ample water supply. . . a most promising cattle country," Harriet Chalmers Adams, River-Encircled Paraguay, National Geographic Magazine, p. 400.  Our own American President Rutherford B. Hayes, as the arbitrator, determined that the disputed lands belonged to Paraguay.

Meet the Paraguayan cowboy, the chacrero: "Although usually smaller in stature than his cousins, the Argentine gaucho, and the Chilean huaso, he is muscular and hearty, a typical roughrider," (p. 401).

I must repeat, word for word for you, Mrs. Adams' account of the amazing Guarani (native) women.  "Guarani women are most accomplished head-balancers.  At the market I saw a bronze Hebe with a basket on her head filled with five struggling turkeys and a chicken. Under one arm she held a husky youngster; under the other a large bundle of firewood.  At the same time she directed the progress of three children, led a stubborn, heavily laden donkey, and smoked a long, black cigar. . . They never think of carrying anything in their hands," (p. 401)  What a woman!

1930's agricultural products of this land were tobacco, mandarin oranges and other varieties, cotton, yerba tea leaves, tapioca (a thickener used in cooking made from the roots of the plant), and rum.  Extensive hardwood logging was done in the forests.  Rivers other than the great La Plata River are Alto Parana River and the Paraguay River. There is a very large waterfall called "Guaira" on the Alto Parana River which Mrs. Adams compared to the Niagra waterfall.  "Niagra's average flow, above the falls, is estimated at 12,500,000 cubic feet a minute.  Guaira's is estimated at 13,000,000 cubic feet a minute in normal flow and double and treble that amount in normal flood season," (p. 410).   Wouldn't we LOVE to view these magnificent falls!

We need to keep in mind that Paraguay is a country of palm trees and jungles, a tropical jungle.  On one river trip, Mrs. Adams commented, "The Indians spear alligators, but the passengers on our steamer shot constantly at the beasts with indifferent success.  We saw water snakes 15 feet long (!!). . . poisonous snakes, including rattlers, are a menace to the naked feet of the Indian," (p.  416).

To conclude, Mrs. Adams writes, "Among my most vivid memories of Paraguay are scenes on its two great flowing highways; and the exquisite coloring of terra-cotta earth, chrome-green forest, and rainbow-tinted sky." She felt that the country was peopled by content, well-fed people.  I will anticipate with interest further developments in the country of Paraguay in future National Geographic Magazines!