The Palacio de los Lopez in Asuncion is a neoclassical building intended for the dynasty that ruled Paraguay for decades in the mid-19th century. The Lopez family's political successors have occupied the palace ever since.
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Getting to know Paraguay —
The Panteon de los Heroes in Asuncion is a domed neoclassical shrine housing the remains of the figures who led Paraguay into disastrous conflict with neighboring countries.
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Getting to know Paraguay —
A biker rides past a pink lapacho in Asuncion. The lapacho is the national tree of Paraguay.
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Getting to know Paraguay —
A Paraguayan Guarani native takes part in a meeting of the Guarani Nation in 2011. Paraguay is the only country in the region with a large percentage of non-indigenous citizens who speak an indigenous language. Nearly 90 percent of all Paraguayans speak both Spanish and the indigenous Guarani.
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Getting to know Paraguay —
A group marches during a candlelight procession in Asuncion on the eve of Kurusu Ara, or Day of the Cross, on May 2, 2012. The Catholic religious festival is combined with native Guarani traditions.
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Getting to know Paraguay —
Along the easterly Río Paraná, 17th and 18th-century Jesuit evangelists and their Guaraní converts built a string of missions. Paraguay's Misión Trinidad is a well-preserved example.
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Getting to know Paraguay —
Tourists visit the Trinidad mission in 2013. The missions fell into ruin after Spain expelled the Jesuits from the New World in 1767.