Paraguay
About Paraguay
Paraguay, officially the Republic of Paraguay, is a sovereign country located in South America, specifically within the South America subregion. Its capital and largest urban centre is Asunción, and the country is home to approximately 6.1 million people. In its native languages, the country is known as “Paraguái”, “Paraguay”. Guaraní and Spanish are recognised as official or widely-spoken languages, shaping daily communication, education, government, and media throughout Paraguay. The official currency in circulation is the Paraguayan guaraní (₲), used for all domestic transactions and price-tagged goods. Paraguay is widely recognised for its Jesuit ruins, Itaipu Dam and tereré (cold mate) culture. People from Paraguay are referred to as Paraguayan.
Geography & climate
Paraguay covers approximately 406,752 km² of territory, making it a mid-sized country by land area. It shares land borders with 3 neighbouring countries — a position that has historically influenced migration patterns, regional politics, and cross-border commerce. Geographically, Paraguay sits in the Southern and Western Hemisphere, at roughly 23.0° S, 58.0° W. Standard civil time follows UTC-04:00 year-round, simplifying scheduling for residents and visitors alike. The prevailing climate of Paraguay can be summarised as: inland subtropics with hot summers, mild winters. Local weather patterns naturally vary by altitude, latitude, and proximity to oceans or mountain ranges.
People, language & society
With roughly 6.1 million inhabitants, Paraguay is a modestly populated country. Linguistic life is plural here: Guaraní and Spanish are all in active use, with regional and minority tongues often adding further variety. Locals refer to their homeland as “Paraguái” or “Paraguay”, a name with linguistic and historical roots that long predate modern borders. Citizens are formally known in English as Paraguayan, a demonym that appears in passports, official documents, and international reporting. Economically, the Paraguayan guaraní (₲) is the medium of exchange used by households and businesses, with exchange rates monitored by the country's central monetary authority.
Quick facts at a glance
- 🏙️ CapitalAsunción
- 📛 Official nameRepublic of Paraguay
- 🗣️ Native nameParaguái · Paraguay
- 🧑 DemonymParaguayan
- 📍 RegionSouthern Cone
- 🌐 SubregionSouth America
- 📐 Area406,752 km²
- 👥 Population6.1 million
- 🌡️ ClimateInland subtropics · Hot summers, mild winters
- 🗺️ Land borders3
- 💬 LanguagesGuaraní, Spanish
- 💰 CurrencyParaguayan guaraní (₲)
- 📞 Calling code+595
- 🌐 Internet TLD.py
- 🚗 Drives onright side
- 🕐 Time zoneUTC-04:00
- 🇺🇳 UN memberYes
Practical travel & daily-life info
Visitors planning a trip to Paraguay should familiarise themselves with the capital, Asunción, the local time zone (UTC-04:00), the local currency (Paraguayan guaraní). The international dialling prefix is +595, which is required when phoning a Paraguay number from abroad. Vehicles drive on the right side of the road, an important detail for anyone renting a car or crossing a land border by vehicle. The country's top-level internet domain is .py, used by local businesses, government sites, and many news organisations. The working week traditionally starts on Monday, which affects business hours, banking, and public holidays.
Government & global standing
Paraguay is recognised internationally as a sovereign, independent state. It is a member state of the United Nations, participating in the General Assembly and various specialised UN agencies. On the global stage, Paraguay is generally classified within the South America region and more specifically the South America subregion, alongside neighbouring states with shared geographic, historical, or economic ties. GlobeIQ groups it under "Southern Cone" for the purposes of the game's regional hint.
Bordering countries
Paraguay shares land borders with 3 countries. Click any neighbour to read about it:
Did you know?
Paraguay's flag is the only national flag with different designs on its front and back — and Itaipu Dam, shared with Brazil, is one of the largest hydroelectric power stations in the world.
Paraguay in the GlobeIQ atlas
Inside the GlobeIQ game, Paraguay appears as a tougher puzzle reserved for geography fans who can pick up subtler hints. When the daily puzzle selects this country, players progressively unlock six hints — silhouette, climate and terrain, number of land borders, region, "known for" tagline, and finally the capital city — before a flag reveal confirms the answer. On its trophy card, Paraguay carries the personality tags “🚩 Two-Sided Flag” and “⚡ Itaipu Dam”, short flavour labels chosen to evoke the country's most recognisable cultural signatures. Adding Paraguay to your personal atlas is one of 195 small wins on the road to a complete world map. Each correctly guessed nation also contributes to your running streak and unlocks milestone celebrations at 10, 25, 50, 100, and 150 collected countries.