With over 14,500 followers, the Paraguay Maps account on X (formerly Twitter) has grown from a curiosity into a community. In a country where official data can be difficult to obtain, or at least rarely disseminated in accessible ways, the account fills a gap. It presents information through maps of all kinds, ranging from light-hearted themes to historical facts, football, population trends, and national development.
Paraguay Maps also shares statistics that are not necessarily displayed on maps, offering a way to learn about aspects of the country that are often overlooked. Nearly two years since its creation, it has become one of the most distinctive Paraguayan accounts on the platform. The Asunción Times spoke with the person behind the project, who prefers to remain anonymous. By way of exception, The Asunción Times is granting this request.
“A map of this data, but for Paraguay”
Many ideas begin in the same place: curiosity. There are numerous accounts that publish maps about their own countries, yet Paraguay had none until late 2023. “Paraguay Maps was created one afternoon near the New Year holidays. It was an idea I had been considering for some time. I even posted a few maps on my personal account,” the creator explains.
He mentions Black Maps, an Argentinian account on X, as a significant source of inspiration. “The whole topic of maps caught my attention.” As an active user of the platform, he decided to follow the same path. “Why X? It is the social network I use the most. It is also the platform where Black Maps gained the most visibility.”
The first map he published focused on Paraguayan presidents, and the departments in which they were born. The information can easily be found through a search engine, but it becomes far more engaging when displayed visually. A remastered version of that initial map, including additional details about each president, is now available on the account. “The objective was, and still is, simply to have fun.”
Maps sources and criteria
Paraguay is a country where official statistics often lack visibility. When asked about his sources, he says: “I use many sources. Mainly the National Institute of Statistics (INE). Any publication that presents data and seems reasonably reliable is considered.”
Followers can find data on countless topics related to Paraguay: the oldest football clubs, the companies that contribute the most to the treasury, or the countries with the largest Paraguayan communities abroad. “I do not have a fixed criterion. It basically depends on what data I find available and what catches my attention, or what I believe might interest my followers.”
The simplest maps to prepare involve departmental statistics. Historical subjects, such as the country’s civil wars, require more extensive research. “Those maps demand reading bibliographical material, interpreting it, and organising the ideas visually. Then, I choose the appropriate infographic for each one.”
Reactions and viral moments
“It did not take long for the account to gain visibility. During the first week, Black Maps interacted with one of my posts, and that was when the avalanche of followers arrived.” The Argentinian account is one of the largest map-focused profiles worldwide, a factor that helped give Paraguay Maps an early push.
Regarding reactions, he notes: “I am always surprised by the passion with which people debate. It is clear that many followers know quite a bit about the topics. The simplest maps, and those dealing with issues that are not usually the most serious, tend to generate the most interaction.”
Some posts spark harmless discussions; others provoke more heated exchanges. How does he handle them? “When a map generates debate, all I can do is grab a bowl of popcorn and read the comments.”
He summarises the spirit of the account simply: “Each map is a new topic that people, just like me, have the opportunity to learn about, or at least to visualise something they already know. Each map is a new curiosity.”
A hobby with a fanbase
Geography often goes hand in hand with flags. Paraguay has changed its flags many times, and each city and department has its own. What most people do not realise is that every district has one as well. Paraguay Maps set out on a mission to display each of them. What seemed impossible, with more than two hundred districts and very few official sources, became achievable thanks to the help of followers.
“That was one of my favourite projects. When you ask about the maps I enjoyed working on the most, I have a few: the four maps of the civil wars, the oldest clubs by department, and the map with the most common surnames.”
Regardless of what comes next, Paraguay Maps remains one of the most engaging initiatives in the Paraguayan digital landscape. By sharing information about every aspect of the country, the account has found its way into schools, universities, and countless conversations across social media. What began as a hobby became a reference point for many.
“I do not think about the future. The future is simply to keep having fun, and for others to have fun with me,” he concludes.
Curious about the types of maps mentioned? Follow Paraguay Maps on X to see more of them, and if you want to check the areas mentioned, you can now access Street View on Google Maps in Paraguay as well.
