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.