Paraguay flag

Paraguay Overview

Paraguay is located in central South America and borders Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil. The largest part of the population lives in the southern part of the country. In 1524, the first Spanish conquistadors came to what later became Paraguay. The Jesuits settled in the area and gained increasing influence during the 16th and 17th centuries. They owned large tracts of land and taught the Indians.

Capital: Asuncion
Biggest city: Asuncion
State: republic
Language: Spanish, Guarani
Religion: catholicism
Surface: 406 750 km²
Population: 6.8 million (2013)
Population density: 17 residents per km²
Life expectancy: 76 years
Illiteracy: 6%
Currency: guarani (PYG)
1 guarani = 0.0020 kr
GDP per capita: $ 4,700 (2010)
Time difference: -5 hours
Electricity: 220 V AC, 50Hz
National Day: 15th of May
Country area code: 595
2-Letter country abbreviation: PY (See more abbreviations on Abbreviationfinder)
Business: agriculture 49%, service sector 30%, industry 21%
Climate: subtropical; rainy in the east, semi-dry in the west

Paraguay flag

In 1721, a revolt broke out against the Spanish viceroy. It took ten years to quell the uprising. When the Spanish colonial power collapsed in the early 19th century, the country became independent in a completely bloodless revolution. In 1814, José Gaspar de Francia seized power and built a country that isolated itself to the outside world.

The Triple Alliance War of 1864-1870 was the most devastating event in Paraguay’s history. In 1864, Paraguay invaded neighboring Brazil. The Triple Alliance Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay defended themselves, but it was not until January 1869 that the troops of the Triple Alliance could take Asunción. Paraguay lost two-thirds of all adult men and much of its territory.

The country stagnated economically for the next 50 years. In the Chaco War of 1932-35, large, economically important areas of Bolivia were conquered, but Paraguay lost 40,000 casualties. After years of political unrest, General Alfredo Stroessner came to power in 1954. He persecuted all opposition and the Catholic Church. Stroessner was overthrown in 1989. After some turbulent years, democracy has been established, but corruption is still a major problem.

WORLD HERITAGE

The following objects in Paraguay are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The year in which the item was added to the list is indicated in parentheses.

  • La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná och Jesús de Tavarangue (1993)

ELECTRICAL OUTLET

Electricity and electrical outlets in Paraguay

Voltage: 220 V

Frequency: 50 Hz

Type of plug: C

Need an adapter: No, you do not need an adapter.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER

Weather in Asunción

Climate Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Christmas Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Average temperature °C 27 27 26 23 20 18 18 19 20 23 25 26
Day °C 32 32 31 27 24 22 22 23 25 28 30 31
Night °C 22 22 21 18 16 13 13 14 15 18 20 21
Rain (mm) 140 130 140 140 110 70 50 40 80 130 140 140

Paraguay 2

Asuncion

According to Countryaah, Asunción is the capital of Paraguay and has 518,846 residents (2007). The entire metropolitan area has 1.8 million residents. The city is the country’s industrial and cultural center, and houses the country’s government and its main port. Main industries are shoes, textiles and tobacco.

Asunción is one of the oldest cities in South America, and is known under the epithet “Mother of Cities”, as it was from there that the settlers were sent to found new cities during the colonial era. Cities founded in this way are, for example, Buenos Aires, Corrientes and Santa Cruz de la Sierra. The city was founded in 1537 by Juan de Salazar and Gonzalo de Mendoza, under the name Nuestra Señora de la Asunción.

Ciudad del Este

Ciudad del Este is the capital of the Alto Paraná district of Paraguay. The city is located on the border of Brazil and Argentina in an area called the Triangle or the three-point border and which is known for extensive smuggling. Ciudad del Este has 320,782 residents (2008). Ciudad del Este is the city in Paraguay closest to the Iguazú Falls.