Paraguay

The Republic of Paraguay is a landlocked republic in South America. Lying on both banks of the Paraguay River, it borders Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the northeast and Bolivia to the northwest. The name "Paraguay" is derived from the Guarani words "pará", meaning "ocean", "gua" meaning to or from and "y" meaning "water"; in other words "water that goes to the ocean". The expression in Guarani is thought to refer solely to Asunción, but in Spanish refers to the entire country.

Departments

Main article: Departments of Paraguay

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Paraguay consists of 18 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento):

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• Alto Paraguay
• Alto Paraná
• Amambay
• Asunción
• Boquerón
• Caaguazú
• Caazapá
• Canindeyú
• Central
• Concepción
• Cordillera
• Guairá
• Itapúa
• Misiones
• Ñeembucú
• Paraguarí
• Presidente Hayes
• San Pedro

The (Gran) Chaco features mostly low, marshy plains near the river and dry forest and thorny scrub further west. The highest point is the Cerro Pero (Cerro Tres Kandu) at 842 m. The southeastern border is formed by the Parana River, containing the impressive Itaipu dam it shares with Brazil. It is currently the largest hydroelectric power plant in the world, generating nearly all of Paraguay's electricity.

Related Topics:
(Gran) Chaco - Cerro Pero - Cerro Tres Kandu - Parana River - Itaipu - Brazil - Hydroelectric

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The local climate ranges from subtropical to temperate, with substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, though becoming semi-arid in the far west.

Related Topics:
Climate - Subtropical - Temperate

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