Paraguay

In brief

Paraguay is a country in South America. Its capital is Asunción. With 7 million inhabitants in 2025, it ranks 106th in the world by population, out of the 195 countries recognised by the UN. Its area is 406,752 km². Landlocked, it shares land borders with Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil.

GDP per capita stands at $7,027 (2025), 101st in the world. Life expectancy at birth is 74 years (2024). 70% of the population lives in cities.

History of Paraguay

The Spanish founded Asunción in 1537 in the heart of Guaraní country; in the 17th and 18th centuries the Jesuits set up “reductions”, missions whose ruins are a World Heritage Site. Independent in May 1811, Paraguay lived through a long dictatorship under José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia. The War of the Triple Alliance (1864-1870), against Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, cost it a large share of its population. It won the Chaco War against Bolivia (1932-1935). Alfredo Stroessner’s dictatorship lasted from 1954 to 1989. Guaraní, an official language alongside Spanish, is spoken by most of the population.

Geography of Paraguay

Landlocked Paraguay is split in two by the Paraguay River: in the east, a humid and populated region; in the west, the Gran Chaco, a dry and sparsely inhabited plain. The Itaipú Dam, shared with Brazil, gives it almost entirely renewable electricity.

Map of Paraguay

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Flag of Paraguay

The flag of Paraguay is red, white and blue. Its official proportions are 11:20 (height to width).

• Red33%
• Blue33%
• White33%

Share of the flag’s surface taken by each colour.

What the flag stands for

Red, white and blue, with a different emblem on each side: the national coat of arms on the front, the Treasury seal, a lion and a Phrygian cap, on the back. It is the only national flag whose two sides differ.

Sources: Wikipedia, articles “Paraguay” and “Flag of Paraguay”.

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Fact file

Economy and society