Two Neighbors, Two Cultures: Uruguay and Paraguay Beyond the Tourist Map

Historic Colonial Center of Uruguay

During my travels throughout South America, I was interested in visiting Uruguay and Paraguay, less known, small​er countries with similar names yet with unique histories and cultures. Neither one has a strong tourist infrastructure, although Uruguay has more to offer. I thought writing about the parallels and contrasts between them would make for a more interesting story. I spent two weeks in each country exploring as much as possible their culture, history and people. Here is what I have learned about both countries….

But ​First, a Bit of History

I am a bit challenged trying to highlight what the history of both these countries was like without getting ​too much into the weeds. Both countries were under Spanish rule until they declared independence in 1811. Paraguay chose a path of war against Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, known as the War of the Triple Alliance, in which it lost, sustaining significant casualties, being forced to give up disputed land while becoming more isolated from its neighbors. This most likely affected its immigration patterns. Paraguay is mostly Mestizo (mixed indigenous /Spanish) compared to Uruguay, considered one of the whitest countries in South America with 90% descendants from Europe. In fact, over 75% of Paraguay also speak the indigenous…