Paraguay
Visited
At a glance
- Region
- South America
- Capital
- Asunción
- Population
- 6.9 million (2024)
- Area
- 406,752 km²
- Languages
- Guaraní, Spanish
- Currency
- Paraguayan guaraní (PYG)
- Drives on the
- right
- Calling code
- +595
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Before you go
Overview
Paraguay is a landlocked country in the heart of South America, divided by the Paraguay River into the forested east and the dry Chaco to the west.
History
Jesuit missions were established among the Guaraní people in the 17th and 18th centuries. Paraguay became independent in 1811, and the War of the Triple Alliance in the 1860s devastated its population.
Food & culture
Chipa (cheese bread), sopa paraguaya (a solid cornbread) and tereré, an iced herbal tea, are national favourites.
Wildlife
The Chaco is home to jaguars, giant armadillos and the Chacoan peccary.
Festivals & events
The Encarnación Carnival and the festival of the Virgin of Caacupé in December are the largest celebrations.
Things to see
The Jesuit missions of Trinidad and Jesús, the Itaipú Dam, Asunción and the Chaco.
Interesting facts
Guaraní and Spanish are both official languages, and most people speak both.
