Paraguay
Republic of Paraguay / Republica del Paraguay
Current time and main facts
Paraguay Time
Paraguay is in Central South America, north-east of Argentina
Geographical coordinates: latitude 23.44 south of the Equator, 58.44 west of Prime Meridian, at Greenwich, UK.
Bordering countries: Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,290 km
Climate: subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semi-arid in the far west.
Population: 6,506,464 (July 2006 est.)
Capital: Asuncion
Administrative divisions: 17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and one capital city*; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion*, Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Concepcion, Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Paraguari, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro
Independence: 14 May 1811 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 14 May 1811 (observed 15 May annually)
In the War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70), Paraguay lost two-thirds of all adult males and much of its territory. It stagnated economically for the next half century.
In the Chaco War of 1932-35, large, economically important areas were won from Bolivia.
The international dialling code for Paraguay is 595.
