From the impressive hydroelectric power production to its young working population, these are the most interesting facts about Paraguay.
Fast facts
Official name: Republic of Paraguay
Population: 7,522,549
Area: 406,752 sq km
Capital city: Asunción
Major languages: Spanish (official) and Guarani (official)
Major religions: Roman Catholic 80.4%, Protestant 7%
Time zone: UTC-4 (Paraguay Standard Time)
Interesting facts about Paraguay
1. Paraguay is a landlocked country in South America. Landlocked countries are countries that are surrounded by land and do not have open access to the sea.
2. Paraguay is bordered by three countries: Bolivia, Brazil and Argentina.
3. Approximately 95% of Paraguayans are of mixed Spanish and Guaran Indian descent.
4. Several indigenous groups inhabited modern-day Paraguay pre-Colombian times.
5. The first Europeans to explore the region were Alejo García and Sebastian Cabot, who arrived in the 1520s.
6. The first Spanish colonists settled in Asunción, the present capital of Paraguay.
7. For more than 150 years, the Jesuits governed the lives of more than 150,000 Indigenous people but were eventually overthrown in 1767.
8. Paraguay declared independence from Spain in 1811.
9. Paraguay had a series of tumultuous years and lost half its population during the War of the Triple Alliance (1864/65–70). It was said to be the bloodiest war in Latin American history.
10. Paraguay was under the dictatorship of Alfredo Stroessner from 1954 until his death in 1989.
11. In 1992, a constitution that supported a democratic government was formed.
12. The Paraguayan flag consists of three distinct horizontal bands – red at the top, white in the middle, and blue at the bottom. In between these bands lies an emblem that is unique on each side of the flag. On one side, we see the national coat of arms, which features a yellow five-pointed star surrounded by a green wreath with the words “REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY” written inside two circles. On the other side, there is a circular seal representing the treasury with a yellow lion under a red Cap of Liberty and the words “PAZ Y JUSTICIA” (Peace and Justice).
13. Paraguay comes from the Guaraní language, which means “river that gives birth to the sea”.
14. The two principal rivers of the region, the Paraguay River and the Paraná River, flow through Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay.
15. The Paraná River is the second-longest river after the Amazon and the eighth longest in the world.
16. Despite being a landlocked country with no coastlines, Paraguay has a water navy to stop illicit goods on its 5,000 miles of waterway.
17. According to the Paraguayan National Institute of Statistics, the poverty rate is 24.7% of the population in 2022.
18. The Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue is the only site in Paraguay that has been recognized as a World Heritage site. The Jesuits first arrived in Guayrá in 1588, with the approval of King Philip II of Spain. Their main mission was to convert the indigenous population to Christianity and also to provide them protection from the oppressive colonial labor system known as encomienda.
19. Paraguay is the only country in Latin America where the majority of people speak the indigenous language, Guaraní.
20. Paraguay has 167 mammal species, 670 bird species, 230 fish species, 117 reptile species, 63 amphibian species, and more than 100,000 invertebrates.
21. Paraguay almost solely relies on hydropower to generate electricity, making it the biggest net exporter of electricity in Latin America.
22. Paraguay’s main exports are electricity, soybeans, corn and bovine meat.
23. Paraguay ranks as the world’s second-largest producer of marijuana after Mexico.
24. Paraguay is a young country. Approximately 28.4% are 15 to 29 years old.
25. Although it is a global leader in hydropower electricity, its citizens have one of the lowest per capita energy consumption rates, averaging just 28.47 MMBtu per person in 2022. In contrast, the global average is about 75 MMBtu.
Every effort has been made to verify these facts about Paraguay using primary sources. However, if you find an error or have any questions, please contact us.
Caitriona Maria is an education writer and owner of The Facts Institute. A teacher for seven years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.