Paraguay — Capital, Flag and Country Facts

Explore Paraguay: capital Asunción, population, flag, geography, languages, history and culture.

Paraguay is in South America. Its capital is Asunción.

Climate

Subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions; semi-arid in the far west

Grassy plains and wooded hills east of the Río Paraguay; Gran Chaco region of low marshy plains to the west

Paraguay generates nearly 100% of its electricity from hydropower.

Paraguay is one of the most bilingual countries in the Americas, with most citizens speaking both Spanish and Guaraní.

The Itaipú Dam on the Paraguay-Brazil border was the world's largest hydroelectric power plant until China's Three Gorges Dam.

1537: Asunción founded by Spanish explorer Juan de Salazar

1811: Paraguay declares independence from Spain

1864: War of the Triple Alliance begins; Paraguay loses up to 90% of its male population

1932: Chaco War with Bolivia over the Gran Chaco region

1954: Alfredo Stroessner begins 35-year dictatorship

1989: Stroessner overthrown in a military coup; democratic transition begins