Paraguay 🇵🇾

Paraguay lies in South America, part of the Americas. Its full official name is Republic of Paraguay. Government sits in Asunción.

It covers 406,752 km², which ranks it 61st of the 250 countries and territories in this dataset — just behind Iraq and just ahead of Zimbabwe. Put next to a country most people can picture, it is a little larger than Japan.

The population is about 6.9 million, placing it 108th of 250 by population — between Kyrgyzstan above it and Nicaragua below. Among the 14 entries in South America it ranks 8th by area and 9th by population.

Geography and neighbours of Paraguay

The coordinates the dataset gives are 23.0° S, 58.0° W, which puts it in the southern hemisphere, roughly 2,560 km from the equator, in what geographers would call tropical latitudes.

The Tropic of Capricorn passes across it. Namibia, Botswana and New Caledonia sit at almost exactly the same latitude on other parts of the globe.

It borders 3 neighbours: Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil. The largest of them by area is Brazil, which is also the most populous. Together those neighbours hold about 270.1 million people.

This is one of the world's landlocked countries. That is true of 45 of the 250 entries here, so all seaborne trade runs through a neighbour's ports. One of its neighbours, Bolivia, is landlocked too. You can see the full picture on the landlocked countries page.

Who lives in Paraguay

Spread across 406,752 km², that works out at about 17 people per square kilometre, which makes it less crowded than the typical entry on this list. For comparison, the median entry on this list sits near 90 per square kilometre.

2 languages carry official status: Guaraní and Spanish. Guaraní, the first listed, is shared with 2 other entries worldwide.

The demonym is Paraguayan, so residents are Paraguayans.

Against the Americas as a whole it is the 17th most populous of 56 entries, and it accounts for 1.6% of everyone living in South America.

The practical details for Paraguay

The currency is the Paraguayan guaraní (₲, PYG). That currency appears nowhere else on this list.

If a quiz asks for the capital of Paraguay, the answer is Asunción.

Its internet country code is .py. The international dialling code is +595. In ISO terms it is py in two letters and PRY in three.

As a sovereign state it is among the 193 UN members listed here. The other 57 entries are territories, dependencies or observers, which is why totals on this site run to 250 rather than the familiar 195.

Neighbouring countries

Paraguay shares borders with 3 countries:

• 🇦🇷 Argentina
• 🇧🇴 Bolivia
• 🇧🇷 Brazil

Fun facts about Paraguay

• Websites based there use the .py domain.
• It is landlocked, one of 45 entries here with no coastline of its own.
• The Tropic of Capricorn runs across or very near it.
• Its full official name is Republic of Paraguay.
• It shares land borders with 3 countries: Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil.
• The Paraguayan guaraní is used here and nowhere else on this list.
• Namibia and Botswana sit at almost the same latitude, on the far side of the globe.

Paraguay — frequently asked questions

What is the capital of Paraguay?

The capital of Paraguay is Asunción.

Is Paraguay a country?

Yes. Paraguay is a sovereign state and one of the 193 UN members listed on this site.

What is the population of Paraguay?

Paraguay has a population of about 6.9 million, which makes it the 108th most populous of the 250 countries and territories listed on this site. Kyrgyzstan sits just above it and Nicaragua just below.

How big is Paraguay?

Paraguay covers 406,752 km², ranking 61st of 250 by land area. That makes it a little larger than Japan.

Where is Paraguay located?

Paraguay is in South America, part of the Americas. Its reference coordinates are 23.0° south and 58.0° west, roughly 2,560 km from the equator in tropical latitudes.

Is Paraguay landlocked?

Yes. Paraguay has no sea coast, which makes it one of 45 landlocked entries in this dataset. Everything it imports or exports by sea has to cross a neighbour's territory first, and that transit dependency is a well-documented drag on trade costs.

What currency does Paraguay use?

Paraguay uses the Paraguayan guaraní, written ₲ (currency code PYG). No other entry in this dataset uses it.

What language is spoken in Paraguay?

Paraguay lists 2 official languages: Guaraní and Spanish.

Which countries border Paraguay?

Paraguay borders 3 countries: Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil. Brazil is the largest of them by area.