# Paraguay

> sovereign state in South America

**Wikidata**: [Q733](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q733)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraguay)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/paraguay

## Summary
Paraguay is a sovereign state in South America, officially known as the Republic of Paraguay, with Asunción as its capital. It is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the continent, bordered by Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil. Paraguay is known for its bilingual culture, with both Spanish and Guaraní as official languages, and for its unique position in Latin America's political and economic landscape.

## Key Facts
- **Founded**: 1811
- **Capital**: Asunción
- **Area**: 406,756 square kilometers
- **Population**: Approximately 7 million (2017 estimate)
- **Languages**: Spanish, Guaraní, and several indigenous languages including Aché, Ava Guaraní, and Paraguayan Sign Language
- **Currency**: Paraguayan guaraní (since 1944)
- **Timezone**: UTC−04:00 (until 2024), switching to UTC−03:00 in 2025
- **Government**: Republic, with President Santiago Peña Palacios as head of state and government
- **Legislature**: Congress of Paraguay
- **Highest Point**: Cerro Tres Kandú
- **Lowest Point**: Paraguay River (46 meters above sea level)
- **Continent**: South America
- **Region**: Latin America, Southern Cone
- **Borders**: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil
- **Official Name**: República del Paraguay (Spanish), Paraguái Tavakuairetã (Guaraní)
- **Anthem**: National Anthem of Paraguay
- **Flag**: Current flag adopted in 2013; reverse side features a different design
- **Gini Coefficient**: 43.5 (2020)
- **Human Development Index**: 0.717 (2021)
- **Democracy Index**: 5.86 (2021)
- **VAT Rate**: 10%
- **Internet Domain**: .py
- **Country Code**: PY (ISO 3166-1 alpha-2), PRY (alpha-3), 600 (numeric)
- **Emergency Number**: 911
- **Electricity**: 220V, 50Hz
- **Plug Type**: Europlug
- **Driving Side**: Right
- **License Plate Code**: PY (since 1952)
- **Languages Spoken**: Spanish, Guaraní, and 20+ indigenous and immigrant languages
- **Membership in**: United Nations (since 1945), WTO, OAS, UNESCO, Interpol, WHO, IAEA, and others
- **Notable Organizations**: World Bank, IMF, IFC, MIGA, ICSID
- **Notable Indices**: BTI Governance Index (5.77 in 2022), BTI Status Index (6.29 in 2022)
- **Geographic Codes**: FIPS 10-4: PA, M49: 600, Geonames ID: 3437598
- **Cultural Significance**: Home to Namuwiki, a Korean-language wiki launched in 2015

## FAQs
### What is the official name of Paraguay?
Paraguay is officially known as the Republic of Paraguay (República del Paraguay in Spanish, Tavakuairetã Paraguái in Guaraní).

### When was Paraguay founded?
Paraguay declared independence in 1811.

### What is the capital of Paraguay?
The capital of Paraguay is Asunción.

### What languages are spoken in Paraguay?
The official languages are Spanish and Guaraní. Other recognized languages include Aché, Ava Guaraní, Paraguayan Sign Language, and many indigenous tongues.

### What is the currency of Paraguay?
The official currency is the Paraguayan guaraní (PYG), which replaced the Paraguayan peso in 1944.

### What is the time zone in Paraguay?
Paraguay observes UTC−04:00 until 2024, after which it will shift to UTC−03:00.

### What are the borders of Paraguay?
Paraguay is bordered by Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil.

### What is the government structure of Paraguay?
Paraguay is a republic with a presidential system. The current president is Santiago Peña Palacios, who assumed office on April 30, 2023.

### What is the highest point in Paraguay?
The highest point is Cerro Tres Kandú.

### What is the lowest point in Paraguay?
The lowest point is the Paraguay River, which lies at 46 meters above sea level.

### What is the area of Paraguay?
Paraguay covers an area of 406,756 square kilometers.

### What is the Gini coefficient of Paraguay?
As of 2020, the Gini coefficient was 43.5, indicating income inequality.

### What is the Human Development Index of Paraguay?
Paraguay's HDI was 0.717 in 2021.

### What is the Democracy Index of Paraguay?
Paraguay's Democracy Index was 5.86 in 2021.

### What is the VAT rate in Paraguay?
The VAT rate in Paraguay is 10%.

### What is the internet domain for Paraguay?
The top-level domain for Paraguay is .py.

### What is the driving side in Paraguay?
Vehicles drive on the right side in Paraguay.

### What is the emergency number in Paraguay?
The emergency number in Paraguay is 911.

### What is the electrical standard in Paraguay?
Paraguay uses 220 volts at 50 Hz with Europlug outlets.

### What are the official languages of Paraguay?
Spanish and Guaraní are the official languages, with over 20 other languages also spoken.

### What international organizations is Paraguay a member of?
Paraguay is a member of the United Nations (since 1945), WTO, OAS, UNESCO, Interpol, WHO, IAEA, and others.

### What is the BTI Governance Index of Paraguay?
Paraguay's BTI Governance Index was 5.77 in 2022.

### What is the M49 code for Paraguay?
The M49 code for Paraguay is 600.

### What is the FIPS 10-4 code for Paraguay?
The FIPS 10-4 code for Paraguay is PA.

### What is the Geonames ID for Paraguay?
The Geonames ID for Paraguay is 3437598.

### What is the cultural significance of Paraguay?
Paraguay is home to Namuwiki, a Korean-language wiki launched in 2015.

## Why It Matters
Paraguay plays a unique role in South America as a landlocked country with a strong bicultural identity shaped by Spanish and Guaraní influences. Its political system, while facing democratic challenges, is a key player in regional diplomacy and economic integration. The country's commitment to multilingualism and cultural preservation, combined with its strategic position in the Southern Cone, makes it a vital case study in indigenous rights, language policy, and regional development. Paraguay's economy, while historically underdeveloped, is growing, and its environmental and social policies are increasingly relevant in global discussions on sustainability and inclusion.

## Notable For
- Bilingualism in Spanish and Guaraní, with Guaraní being a co-official language
- Hosting Namuwiki, a Korean-language wiki launched in 2015
- Being one of the few countries with a non-Western European language as an official language
- Its unique position as a landlocked South American nation
- High levels of indigenous cultural preservation
- A growing digital presence in regional knowledge-sharing platforms
- Hosting one of the world's most biodiverse regions in the Gran Chaco
- Being among the first nations to adopt nuclear-free policies in Latin America
- Hosting one of the most progressive digital rights frameworks in the region
- Being a case study in post-colonial governance and indigenous autonomy

## Body

### History
Paraguay was founded in 1811, declaring independence from Spanish colonial rule. The country's early history was shaped by internal conflicts and a struggle for sovereignty, culminating in the War of the Triple Alliance (1864–1870), which decimated its population. The modern state has focused on rebuilding its institutions and identity, with a strong emphasis on bilingualism and cultural preservation.

### Geography and Demographics
Paraguay is located in the heart of South America, bordered by Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil. The country covers 406,756 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 7 million. The capital, Asunción, is the most populous urban area. The country's geography includes the Paraguay River (lowest point at 46 meters above sea level) and Cerro Tres Kandú (highest point). The population is characterized by a high level of rural-urban migration, with urban areas like Asunción growing rapidly.

### Government and Politics
Paraguay is a presidential republic. The current head of state and government is Santiago Peña Palacios, who took office on April 30, 2023. The legislature is the Congress of Paraguay. The country has a mixed record on democracy, with a 2021 Democracy Index of 5.86. The BTI Governance Index for 2022 was 5.77. Paraguay is a member of numerous international organizations, including the United Nations, WTO, OAS, and the Inter-American Development Bank.

### Economy
Paraguay's economy is primarily driven by agriculture, with significant exports of soybeans and beef. The currency is the Paraguayan guaraní (PYG), which replaced the peso in 1944. The Gini coefficient of 43.5 (2020) indicates significant income inequality. The Human Development Index was 0.717 in 2021. The VAT rate is 10%. The country's economic policies are increasingly focused on sustainable development and regional integration.

### Culture and Language
Paraguay is officially bilingual, with Spanish and Guaraní as co-official languages. The country's cultural identity is deeply tied to its indigenous roots, with over 20 languages spoken, including Aché, Ava Guaraní, and Paraguayan Sign Language. The country is home to Namuwiki, a Korean-language wiki launched in 2015, highlighting its role in global digital culture.

### International Relations
Paraguay is a member of the United Nations (since 1945), WTO, OAS, UNESCO, Interpol, WHO, IAEA, and others. It plays a key role in regional diplomacy, particularly in the Southern Cone, and is part of the Andean Community and Mercosur.

### Infrastructure and Technology
Paraguay uses 220 volts at 50 Hz with Europlug outlets. The country drives on the right. The emergency number is 911. The top-level domain is .py. The country's digital infrastructure includes Namuwiki and other regional knowledge-sharing platforms.

### Environment and Biodiversity
Paraguay is home to one of the world's most biodiverse regions, the Gran Chaco. The country has a strong focus on environmental sustainability and is part of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

### Social Indicators
Paraguay's Gini coefficient was 43.5 in 2020, indicating significant income inequality. The Human Development Index was 0.717 in 2021. The country's BTI Governance Index was 5.77 in 2022. The country's social policies are increasingly focused on inclusion and equity, particularly in education and health.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.workwithdata.com/place/paraguay)
2. [Source](https://www.britannica.com/place/Asuncion)
3. Constitution of Paraguay
4. [Source](https://www.paraguay.gov.py/estado/poder-judicial/csj/csj)
5. BnF authorities
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. [[tz-announce] 2025a release of tz code and data available. 2025](https://lists.iana.org/hyperkitty/list/tz@iana.org/thread/MWII7R3HMCEDNUCIYQKSSTYYR7UWK4OQ/)
8. [Source](https://data.iana.org/time-zones/tzdb-2021e/southamerica)
9. [Interpol](https://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/World)
10. [Source](https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Americas/PARAGUAY)
11. [Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons](https://www.opcw.org/about-opcw/member-states/)
12. [Source](https://www.opcw.org/about-us/member-states/paraguay)
13. [Source](http://www.unesco.org/eri/cp/ListeMS_Indicators.asp)
14. [Source](http://www.upu.int/en/the-upu/member-countries.html)
15. [Source](https://www.upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/About-UPU/Member-Countries?csid=-1&cid=233)
16. [Source](https://www.itu.int/online/mm/scripts/gensel8)
17. [Source](https://public.wmo.int/en/members/paraguay)
18. [Source](https://www.who.int/choice/demography/by_country/en/)
19. [Source](https://www.wcoomd.org/-/media/wco/public/global/pdf/about-us/wco-members/list-of-members-with-membership-date.pdf)
20. [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_parties_to_the_Treaty_on_the_Non-Proliferation_of_Nuclear_Weapons)
21. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
22. [Source](https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/)
23. FIPS 10-4
24. MusicBrainz
25. [Human Development Report. 2022](https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index#/indicies/HDI)
26. World Bank Open Data
27. [Source](http://www.dgeec.gov.py/sub_index/Pobreza/Proyeccion%20Densidad%20Tasa%202012.pdf)
28. [World Bank Open Data](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL)
29. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI)
30. [Source](http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS)
31. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
32. The National Terminology Database for Irish
33. [Source](https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2017)
34. [World Bank](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD)
35. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=DEMO_DS)
36. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=3372)
37. [World Plugs](http://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/list_bylocation.htm)
38. [Source](https://countrycodebase.com/undp/)
39. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=239)
40. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
41. [Gazetteer](https://github.com/EnvironmentOntology/gaz/blob/master/src/ontology/gaz_countries.csv)
42. iNaturalist
43. [Paraguay - RationalWiki](https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Paraguay)
44. FactGrid
45. CC 6
46. 2020 Democracy Index
47. 2021 Democracy Index
48. KBpedia
49. [Source](https://www.bti-project.org)
50. [Source](https://bti-project.org/en/reports/country-dashboard/PRY)