Paraguay Map

Description: This map shows governmental boundaries of countries; departments, department capital cities, and major cities and towns in Paraguay.

---

Paraguay, officially the Republic of Paraguay, exists as a landlocked country in central South America. The country borders Brazil to the east, Bolivia to the northwest, and Argentina to the south and southwest. Paraguay encompasses an area of 157,048 square miles (406,752 square kilometers), making it slightly smaller than California.

The country's population reaches approximately 6.2 million people, with about one-third residing in the metropolitan area of Asunción, the capital and largest city. Other major urban centers include Ciudad del Este, San Lorenzo, and Luque. Paraguay maintains two official languages: Spanish and Guarani, with the latter representing the only indigenous language of the Americas that a majority non-indigenous population speaks.

The Paraguay River divides the country into two distinct geographical regions. Eastern Paraguay contains fertile plains, rolling hills, and the Atlantic Forest, while Western Paraguay, known as the Chaco, consists of a vast plain with dense forest and bush vegetation. This geographical diversity supports various ecosystems and wildlife species, including jaguars, pumas, and numerous bird species.

The economy relies heavily on agriculture, with soybeans and beef representing the primary export commodities. Paraguay ranks as the world's fourth-largest soybean exporter and sixth-largest beef exporter. The country also generates significant revenue from its hydroelectric power plants, particularly the Itaipu Dam, which produces about 90% of Paraguay's electricity and enables substantial power exports to Brazil.

Tourism in Paraguay remains relatively underdeveloped compared to neighboring countries, but several attractions draw visitors. The Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue, both UNESCO World Heritage sites, showcase well-preserved 17th-century religious architecture. The Iguazu Falls, located at the triple border with Brazil and Argentina, attracts numerous tourists. The capital city, Asunción, features historical sites such as the Government Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Casa de la Independencia Museum.

The Paraguayan Chaco offers unique opportunities for ecotourism and wildlife observation. The Pantanal wetlands, shared with Brazil and Bolivia, provide habitats for diverse flora and fauna. The National Park Cerro Corá preserves important historical sites from the Paraguayan War and contains significant biodiversity.

The country maintains a stable democratic government since 1989, following the end of Alfredo Stroessner's 35-year dictatorship. Paraguay participates in several regional organizations, including MERCOSUR and UNASUR, which facilitate trade and diplomatic relations with neighboring countries. The nation continues to develop its infrastructure and diversify its economy, though challenges remain in areas such as income inequality and environmental conservation.

The Facts:

Flag:
Capital:	Asunción
Area:	157,048 sq mi (406,752 sq km)
Population:	~ 6,218,879 (2024 estimate)
Official language:	Spanish, Guarani
Religion:	87.4% - Catholicism 8.1% - other Christian 4.1% - no religion 0.4% - other
Currency:	Guaraní (PYG)
Driving side:	Right
Calling code:	+595
Internet TLD:	.py
Time zone:	UTC–03:00 (PYT)
Gross domestic product (PPP) (2024 estimate):	$124.726 billion (Total) $20,058 (Per capita)
Gross domestic product (nominal) (2024 estimate):	$45.817 billion (Total) $7,368 (Per capita)

Google Map of Paraguay

---

Largest cities: Asunción, Ciudad del Este, Luque, San Lorenzo, Capiatá, Lambaré, Fernando de la Mora, Limpio, Ñemby, Encarnación, Caaguazú, Coronel Oviedo, Pedro Juan Caballero, Itauguá, Mariano Roque Alonso, Presidente Franco, Minga Guazú, Concepción, Itá, Villa Elisa.

Departments of Paraguay: Distrito Capital, Concepción, San Pedro, Cordillera, Guairá, Caaguazú, Caazapá, Itapúa, Misiones, Paraguarí, Alto Paraná, Central, Ñeembucú, Amambay, Canindeyú, Presidente Hayes, Alto Paraguay, Boquerón.