Paraguay

Introduction & Quick Facts
Land
- Relief
- Drainage
- Soils
- Climate
- Plant and animal life
People
- Ethnic groups
- Languages
- Religion
- Settlement patterns
- Demographic trends
Economy
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing
- Resources and power
  - Mining and quarrying
  - Energy
- Manufacturing
- Finance
- Trade
- Services
- Labor and taxation
- Transportation
  - Roads
  - Railways
  - Water transport
  - Air services
- Telecommunications
Government and society
- Constitutional framework
- Local government
- Justice
- Political process
- Security
- Health and welfare
- Education
Cultural life
- Cultural milieu
- Daily life and social customs
- The arts
- Cultural institutions
- Sports and recreation
- Media and publishing
History
- Early history
  - Colonial period
  - Struggle for independence
- Establishment of the republic
  - The Francia regime
  - The start of modernization
- Paraguay’s conflicts with its neighbours
  - War of the Triple Alliance
  - Reconstruction
  - The Chaco War
- The Stroessner regime
- Democratic freedoms
- Paraguay in the 21st century
  - Continued rule by the Colorado Party
  - The Lugo interregnum
  - The Horacio Cartes presidency
  - The presidency of Mario Abdo Benítez

References & Edit History Facts & Stats

Images

Map of South America highlighting Paraguay in orange at the center of the continent, with neighboring countries Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay labeled. The capital city, Asuncion, is marked within Paraguay.

Cargo ships and barges on the Paraguay River near the green riverbank at Asuncion, Paraguay, with additional boats visible in the distance.

Political map of Paraguay showing its national boundaries with Bolivia, Brazil, and Argentina, major cities including Asuncion, and internal divisions such as departments. An inset locator map highlights Paraguay's position within South America.

Physical map of Paraguay showing major rivers, lakes, national parks, mountain ranges, and elevation points, as well as neighboring countries Bolivia, Brazil, and Argentina. A small locator map in the bottom left highlights Paraguay's position in South America.

Paraguay: Ethnic composition

Paraguay: Religious affiliation

The renovated Catedral Metropolitana in Asuncion, Paraguay, features a cream and pink facade with three arched entrances and two bell towers, set against a clear blue sky.

Paraguay: Age breakdown

At a Glance

default image

Paraguay summary

Paraguay: Media

country, South America

Images

Paraguay

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Map of South America highlighting Paraguay in orange at the center of the continent, with neighboring countries Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay labeled. The capital city, Asuncion, is marked within Paraguay.

Paraguay

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Cargo ships and barges on the Paraguay River near the green riverbank at Asuncion, Paraguay, with additional boats visible in the distance.

Paraguay River

Ships on the Paraguay River at Asunción, Paraguay.

© Iakov Filimonov/Dreamstime.com

Political map of Paraguay showing its national boundaries with Bolivia, Brazil, and Argentina, major cities including Asuncion, and internal divisions such as departments. An inset locator map highlights Paraguay's position within South America.

Paraguay

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Physical map of Paraguay showing major rivers, lakes, national parks, mountain ranges, and elevation points, as well as neighboring countries Bolivia, Brazil, and Argentina. A small locator map in the bottom left highlights Paraguay's position in South America.

Paraguay

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

The renovated Catedral Metropolitana in Asuncion, Paraguay, features a cream and pink facade with three arched entrances and two bell towers, set against a clear blue sky.

Catedral Metropolitana

Catedral Metropolitana on Plaza Juan de Salazar, in the heart of Asuncion, Paraguay.

© Donyanedomam/Dreamstime.com

Itaipú Dam

Itaipú Dam

Itaipú Dam on the Alto (Upper) Paraná River, near Ciudad del Este, Paraguay.

Jorge Saenz—AP/REX/Shutterstock.com

Paraguay

Paraguay

Cattle graze near Coronel Oviedo, Paraguay.

Chip and Rosa Maria de la Cueva Peterson

Itaipú Dam

Itaipú Dam

Itaipú Dam, Alto (Upper) Paraná River, on the Paraguay-Brazil border.

© jantima/Fotolia

Itaipú Dam

Itaipú Dam

Itaipú Dam on the Upper Paraná River, north of Ciudad del Este, Paraguay.

Vieira de Queiroz—TYBA/Agencia Fotografica

Jesuit mission ruins

Jesuit mission ruins

Ruins of a Jesuit mission near Encarnación, Paraguay.

© luq1— iStock/Getty Images

Alto Paraná River

Alto Paraná River

Bridge over the Alto Paraná River between Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, and Foz do Iguaçu,...

© Tony Morrison/South American Pictures

The white, neoclassical Lopez Presidential Palace stands in front of modern high-rise buildings and palm trees in Asuncion, Paraguay.

Asunción, Paraguay: López presidential palace

López presidential palace, Asunción, Paraguay.

© Happy Alex/Shutterstock.com

Paraguay

Paraguay

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Map of the continent of South America showing country borders, major rivers, and labeled countries including Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Ecuador, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. Surrounding bodies of water, such as the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and Caribbean Sea, are also labeled.

landlocked country

Bolivia and Paraguay are the only two landlocked countries in the Western Hemisphere.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Audio

National anthem of Paraguay

The instrumental version of the national anthem of Paraguay.

Interactives

Paraguay: Ethnic composition

Paraguay: Ethnic composition

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Paraguay: Religious affiliation

Paraguay: Religious affiliation

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Paraguay: Age breakdown

Paraguay: Age breakdown

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Paraguay: Urban-rural

Paraguay: Urban-rural

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Paraguay: Major export destinations

Paraguay: Major export destinations

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Paraguay: Major import sources

Paraguay: Major import sources

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

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