FACTS

Location: Central South America, northeast of Argentina

Area (only Total) total: 406,750 sq km

Climate: subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west

Terrain: grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran Chaco region west of Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain near the river, and dry forest and thorny scrub elsewhere

Population: 6,831,306 (July 2008 est.)

Main Language (only first): Spanish

Government type: constitutional republic

Capital (Name): Asuncion

Capital (Time Difference): UTC-4

Independence: 14 May 1811 (from Spain)

National holiday: Independence Day, 14 May 1811 (observed 15 May)