
Paraguay Guide
Paraguay – country information
Country name | Paraguay |
Official name | Republic of Paraguay |
Capital | Assumption |
continent | South America |
Area | 406,752 km2 |
Population | 6 783 374 (2013) |
Foundation of a state | 14. 5. 1811 |
The highest mountains | Villarrica (Caaguazú) 700 m |
Longest rivers | Paraná (part) 4380 km, Paraguay (part) 2550 km |
State system | a pluralistic presidential republic with a bicameral parliament |
The biggest cities | Asuncion (hl. město) 870,000, Ciudad del Este 145,000, San Lorenzo 140,000, Lambaré 110,0 |
Official language | Spanish |
Ethnicity/National Composition | mestizo 91%, Indians 3%, Germans 1.5%, others 4.5% |
Currency | 1 guaraní (G) = 100 cents |
gross domestic product (GDP) | US$6,053 (2012) |
Average life expectancy of the population | 75.10 let (2006) |
Structure of GDP | agriculture, forestry and fishing 26%, mining 0.5%, industry 20%, construction 5.5%, services 48% |
Paraguay – neighboring states
State | Capital | Area | Populace |
Argentina | Buenos Aires | 2,780,400 km | 41 660 096 |
Bolivia | Peace | 1,098,580 km | 10 027 254 |
Brazil | Brasilia | 8,514,880 km | 201 032 714 |
Country overview
According to Abbreviationfinder, Paraguay is the second landlocked country in South America, surrounded by Argentina to the south, Bolivia to the northwest and Brazil to the northeast. The Paraguay River, flowing from north to south, divides the country into two distinct regions. Veletok Paraná forms part of the country’s border with Argentina.
Paraguay (heart of America) is a state in South America. Common borders with Argentina in the south and southwest, with Bolivia in the northwest, with Brazil in the east and northeast.
The capital is Asuncion (founded by the Spaniards in 1537). The currency is the Paraguayan Guarani. Official languages are Spanish, Guarani. Religion – Catholicism.
“Paraguay” means “from the great river”. This refers to the river Para.
The country has no access to the sea. The climate is subtropical.
Resorts and attractions of Paraguay
Paraguay is a country where the incompatible goes together. She is both cozy and sophisticated, very poor and obscenely rich. The country boasts exotic nature reserves and massive man-made dams. This is a place where horses and carts ride on the same roads as modern cars. A place where craftsmen’s workshops are adjacent to modern shopping centers.
Would you like to relax in the real Latin America? Paraguay is the best choice. This is a typical South American country with lush tropical nature and vibrant Indian culture, which can be seen literally in everything here.
All the cities of the country live an isolated provincial life. Despite the penetration of the ubiquitous civilization in Paraguay, the charm of past eras is very well felt.
The climate of Paraguay is dry, free winds blow to the horizon over the pampas, and only occasionally herds of half-wild horses graze by the Guarani Indians appear within sight. The Guarani are a large tribe engaged in primitive agriculture, hunting, fishing, raising poultry and pigs.
Country data
Location: Central South America
Time zone: CET – 4 (during summer time: CET – 5)
Total area: 406,752 km²
Land area: 397,302 km²
Water area: 9,450 km²
Length of the state border: 3,995 km
Bordering countries:
Argentina: 1,880 km
Bolivia: 750 km
Brazil: 1,365 km
Coastline: 0 km
Capital: Asunción
Departments: 18
Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion (city), Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Concepcion, Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Paraguari, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro
Electric current: 220 V / 50 Hz
Telephone code: 00 595 (Source: Allcitycodes)
Highest point: Cerro Pero 842 m
Population
Population: approx. 6.7 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)
Population growth: 1.2% per year
Population density (inh. Per km²): 16
Life expectancy: 74 (male), 80 (female)
Official language: Guaraní, Spanish
Religions:
- 90% Roman Catholic
- 6% Protestants
- 4% other
Climate
Paraguay is located in a subtropical climate zone in which the seasons are opposite to those in Europe.
In summer (December to March) the daytime temperature is sometimes over 40 ° C. There are often large fluctuations from one day to the next.
During winter (June to September) the temperature occasionally falls to values below 0 ° C.
Currency / finance
Currency unit: Guaraní (PYG)
Classification: 1 guaraní = 100 céntimos
ATMs: Available in larger towns.
International credit cards: Almost only accepted in larger shops in Asunción and Ciudad del Este.
Regulations: Foreign and national currencies can be imported and exported in unlimited amounts.
As a foreign currency, it is recommended to bring US dollars in small denominations and more recent.
Customs regulations
The following may be carried duty-free:
- 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars
- 1 liter of alcoholic beverages
(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)
Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.
Travel advice
Due to the domestic political situation, there are repeated demonstrations in the cities. These and other large gatherings of people should definitely be avoided.
If you have any problems with the authorities, e.g. if you are arrested, you should contact the embassy immediately.
Behavioral advice
The roads are very bad all over the country. We therefore advise against driving at night.
Due to the poor social situation in the country, the crime rate has risen sharply in recent years. Above all, fraud and theft, often involving gun violence, are commonplace.
Possession and trafficking in drugs are severely punished.
Economy
Paraguay is one of the poorest countries on earth. The industry is hardly developed.
The export of energy generated in modern hydropower plants is economically important.
Industries: energy generation, wood processing, textiles, cement, sugar production
Natural resources: iron ore, wood, limestone, manganese, hydropower
Land use:
- Usable land: 6%
- Grain cultivation: 0%
- Pasture area: 55%
- Forests: 32%
- other: 7%