Asunción

Asunción, population 500,938 (1992), is the capital of Paraguay. It is the principal port and chief industrial and cultural center of the country. Manufactures include footwear, textiles, and tobacco products.

Asunción is one of the oldest cities in South America. The site of the city may have been first visited by Juan de Ayolas, but the town, called Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (Our Lady of the Assumption), was founded in August 15, 1537, by Juan de Salazar and Gonzalo de Mendoza. In 1731 an uprising under José de Antequera y Castro was one of the first rebellions against Spanish colonial rule. After the War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70), Asunción was occupied by Brazilian troops until 1876.

The city is home to the Godoi Museum, the Church of La Encarnación, and the Panteón Nacional, a smaller version of Les Invalides in Paris, where many of the nation's heroes are entombed.

On August 1, 2004, a supermarket burned down killing more than 320 people and injuring approximately 270 more - the bloodiest incident in the history of Paraguay. Many shoppers were forced to escape out of windows, as the supermarket had no fire escapes. The owner of the shopping center closed the exit doors because of the danger of looting.