"Nuestra Senora de Santa Maria of Asuncion", Paraguay`s capital. It was founded in 1537 by Juan de Salazar Espinoza at the bank where Rio Paraguay and Rio Pilcomayo join each other. Asuncion became soon the Conquerers` provision base and starting-point of their search for Eldorado - the silver. Since 1828 Asuncion has been growing and become soon a more and more imporant town.

Today its population counts 600,000 people and encluding the outlying districts 1,22 million people. Asuncion presents itself with a numerous monuments, testimonies of an important role in the past of South America. Simultaneously it is a town of iridescent contrasts and modern life-style. As Asuncion is the central and financial administration of the country, it has an utmost important role in the country.

Discovering Asuncion
Discover the President`s palace, the streets Palma and Estrella, the square of heros, the government´s palace and many more. For example the main station, built in a typical English style. From here you can start a journey with the oldest steam-engines of South America. Another attraction of Asuncion is the opera, which is a copy of the Scala in Milan. In many churches you can find religious exhibitions of Guarani Indians, for example in the churches of Trinidad (built in 1854), Recoleta, Encarnacion and San Roque. The cathedral has also an exhibition of sacral art.

Museums
More objects of the South American Natives can be found in museums. The anthropologic museum of Dr. Andres Barbero exhibits numerous collections of Indian art. Also presents the Natural History museum and the Indian museum objects of the South American Natives. Both museums are near the Botanic Garden and the zoo. Another museum which wants to be recommended, is the National Museum of fine art.

Final tips for trips
Do not forget a trip to the station of Presidente Carlos Antonio Lopez. The station was built in 1860 and here you can find the oldest steam-engines of South America, powered by wood.
The station is home of some steam locomotives, an old coach for pasengers and some railway carriages. One of those trains, a real museum on rails, still runs along the shores of Lake Ypacarai between Asuncion and Aregua. Another railway of the same age takes you through the wild territories of Chaco near Porto Casado. This is a real paradise for fans of old engines.

Travellers, who visit Paraguay the first time, must visit the ruins of the Jesuit town Trinidad in the south of the country, is today a heritage of civilization. The north of the country attracts visitors with the bizarre landscape of Gran Chaco and its scenic Flora and Fauna.