Paraguay was discovered in 1524 by the Portuguese, Alejo García. It was formerly the “Giant Province of the Indies”. The renowned names at that time were: Sebastián Gaboto, Pedro de Mendoza, Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, Juan de Salazar de Espinoza, Juan de Ayolas, Domingo Martínez de Irala and others who had a significant role founding forts and towns. These steps took place in alliance with the indigenous communities, a process for social formation marked by the strength of the conquerors and the evangelizing action of the Catholic Church. The first missionaries were from the order of Saint Francis of Assis. The priests arrived after with the Jesuits, both evangelizers left a cultural legacy of great importance for Paraguay.

Spanish rule came to an end in 1811 with the May 14 revolution, when a group of patriots decided to create an independent and sovereign country. The buildings constructed in the second half of the 19th century are still preserved in the Historic Centre of Asuncion (mostly) and in other cities such as Areguá.

The new Republic took constitutional status in 1844 with the Government of Carlos Antonio López and experienced strong economic, technical and social development. At that time, services such as the first railway of South America, a merchant shipping, and the telegraph were established. Large and beautiful buildings were built, a shipyard and the first steel plant in America were installed. Ports Structure.

In the absence of development of the public structure, the private sector has made significant investments for more than 40 private ports. Most of them are destined export of grains. They are allocated on the Paraguay River: Concepción, Mariano R. Alonso, San Antonio, Villeta, Pilar. Others allocated on the Paraná River: Ayolas, Puerto Trociuk, Encarnación, Puerto Triunfo and Presidente Franco.

Multiculturalism makes Paraguay a peculiar and different country, in continuous evolution. With native populations from five linguistic families, the Guaranies prevailing. It also comprehends the presence of immigrants from various countries around the world. Migrants contributed to the first Spanish-Guarani mix, an extraordinary richness in cultural manifestations called the “jopara”.