Country Guide • Paraguay
Paraguay is a landlocked country located in the heart of South America. It is bound by Bolivia and Brazil to the north and Argentina to the south.
| Official Name | Republic of Paraguay |
|---|---|
| Area | 406,752km² (157,048mile²) |
| Population | 6,037,000 |
| Continent | South America |
| Population per mile² | 38 |
| Capital City | Asunción |
| Religions | 96% Roman Catholic. Other religious minorities include Protestants and Jews |
| Language | Spanish and Guarani (both official) |
| Government | Republic |
| Currency | GuaranÍ |
| GDP | $25 billion |
| GDP per Head | $4,200 |
| Natural Resources | Hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone |
| Land Use | Arable Land 5.5% |
| Agriculture | Corn, cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, wheat, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), fruits, vegetables, beef, pork and timber |
| Industry | Sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, meat processing and wood products |
| Tourism | The country has several national parks and the vast, arid 'Chaco' - one of South America's great wilderness areas and provides a habitat for hundreds of wildlife and bird species. After the Amazon, this is America’s second largest forest area |
| Natural Hazards | Local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June) |
| Health Risks | |
| Climate | Subtropical with rapid changes in temperature throughout the year. Summer (December to March) can be very hot. Winter (June to September) is mild with few cold days. Rainfall is heaviest from December to March. Average annual rainfall in the east is around 80 inches and reduces as you go west to 47 inches. Average temperature ranges in Asuncion are from 12 to 22°C in June to 22 to 35°C in January |
| Time | GMT/UTC-3 hours |
| National Days | May 15 - Independence Day |
| Visas | If you are staying for less than three months and you have a British, US or Western European Passport, you do not require a visa to enter Paraguay. If you wish to stay longer than three months you must produce a "certificado de buena conducta" (certificate of good conduct) in order to apply for a residence permit. You should obtain this certificate from the police authorities in the UK before travelling, as the British Embassy cannot issue one. If you enter Paraguay overland, you must make sure that your passport is stamped by an immigration official. Anybody without an entry stamp in their passport will be fined a large amount of money when they leave the country. . This is a common problem if you enter Paraguay through Ciudad del Este from Brazil. Bus drivers are reluctant to stop and tell passengers that immigration formalities can be completed in Asuncion. This is not correct. Canadians, Australians and New Zealanders also need a spotlessly clean police record, a bank statement and a US$10 fee. |
| British Embassy | Embassy Details |
Information Only
The content above is for information purposes only and we have tried to ensure that the information is as accurate as possible. We cannot accept any responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury as a result of the information above. You should always check and verify any critical information like visas, health and safety and customs with the relevant authorities before you travel since information can change at any time.
