ASUNCION (Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion), capital of the republic of Paraguay, stands on the eastern bank of the Paraguay river in 25° 16' 04" S., 57° 42' 40" W., 97om. N. of Buenos Aires.
Pop. , The city is connected with Buenos Aires and Montevideo by regular steamers. There is rail connection with Buenos Aires, through cars being ferried over the Alto Parana river between Posadas and Encarnacion; time 48 hours. Asuncion is built opposite a wide stretch of the Paraguay, often called the Bay of Asuncion. Its site is only 25oft. above sea level but the hills rising gently back from the river furnish a healthier site for future growth. The city's streets are laid out in rectangular form and in the larger division or older city run north-west to south-east and are crossed by others at right angles. Many blocks are 24oft. square and a number of streets are 45ft. wide. Close to the river stands the famous palace built by Lopez II., now used for Government offices. Barrio Cachingo is a new part of the city where streets run with cardinal points. Dwelling houses of Asuncion are largely one-storey structures ; recently taller buildings have become numerous. Prominent buildings are the House of Congress, National theatre, post and telegraph office, city hospital, Encarnacion church, national library with many rare books, a new market and a college opened in 1928. The port of Asuncion is one of the busiest parts of the city; here transhipment is made from small ocean-going vessels to those of lighter draught which handle up-river cargo (as far as Corumba). The port is now undergoing improvements and ex pansion. New settlements of Mennonites at Puerto Casada and British colonization at Guiba Lake, both several hundred miles north of Asuncion, have provided additional port and city ac tivity. Mean temperature at Asuncion is about 72° F. ; maximum, 105° F. December, January and February are the hottest months; the remaining months are cool or cold and occasionally frosts occur. The heaviest precipitation occurs about March and the lightest in August. The city is governed by a municipal junta consisting of six councilmen and an intendente or mayor who is appointed by the president of the republic ; councilmen are elected by popular vote.
Among city improvements are some newly paved streets, side walks, extension of electric light and power service, installation of modern sewerage in certain districts, motor cars and a move ment for extension of highways, new hotels, modern shops with large varieties of foreign goods and an active chamber of com merce. The pleasure and health resort of San Bernardino on Lake Ypacarai, a short distance by railway or road, is frequented in summer.
Sebastian Cabot, after his explorations in North America, turned to South America, and with a band of wanderers sailed up the Paraguay to the region where Asuncion now stands. This event was about 1526-27. Subsequently Ayolas and Irala with other Europeans visited the spot where Asuncion is situated and began a stockade in order to protect themselves from the Guaranis. These Indians, however, are said to have offered little resistance and ultimately assisted in Iaying out and building a settlement. Ayolas sailed farther up the Paraguay river and never returned. In 1617 a seat of government was established at Buenos Aires, and Asuncion was almost abandoned. Later other explorers came and Asuncion for many years was the scene of cruelty, oppression, adventure, romance and bloodshed. Paraguay de clared independence from Spain on Aug. 14, 1811, and Velasco, the Spanish governor, being in sympathy with the movement, was chosen a member of the Junta. Asuncion still bears many marks of the terrible fighting that from time to time has made its streets run red with blood. In recent years, however, peace has reigned and considerable progress is recorded. (W. A. R.)